New Scratch Helmet

I have run into something though that I am hoping someone else may have also and has a solution. I noticed that the primer does not mix well with the Bondo? In spots, like the cheeks for instance, there is Bondo and then Sintra in the same area. The Bondo is not really thick here because it was sanded down. But, the primer I used really brings out the Bondo areas a little more than I wanted it to. Will this go away when I actually get to painting? Or did I not sand it enough? Was there some kind of sealer I should have used? Also, I have a lot of small streaks from the sandpaper I used, I thought I had eliminated them with finer grits of sandpaper, but again, the primer really brings it out. Is this something that I need to sand again until they are gone or is there some kind of sealer that can be used to smooth things out more??

Any help is greatly appreciated, especially since I am so close to the end!!


Thanks,
Eric
are you saying that the line where the sintra and bondo meet is showing too much? if so, i think that adding a little more bondo in a thin layer over the whole cheek and sanding it smooth will eliminate that problem. i use a spatula, or credit card to put a thin layer over the whole area that needs fixing... if that's not what you want to do, you could just keep working that line by adding a very little bit of bondo over it sanding and repeating until it goes away... working it from its source to the opposite edge.
i think that there's no way to get away from a little more sanding on this project. same with the other problem. more sanding can only help it to look better.
other than what you're stating it looks pretty darn good from where i'm sitting.
good job!!!!!
 
I think he is saying the roughness of the bondo and sintra is showing through. Here is my suggestion. Sand until you turn blue. Go with 220 first to get the bumps out, move up to 400 and sand that sucker down like you have never sanded before. Then go up to 600, and to finish things off, primer it, wet sand it with 2000 grit, primer it again, feel it for any bumps, wet sand it again. Repeat the wet sanding process if you still can feel tiny imperfections and micro-bumps. When you are all done, primer it up again and start painting.

Just remember that if you want a really smooth finish on your helmet, then IMO sanding is the most crucial key and you should take the most time sanding it down to get it smooth!
 
are you saying that the line where the sintra and bondo meet is showing too much? if so, i think that adding a little more bondo in a thin layer over the whole cheek and sanding it smooth will eliminate that problem. i use a spatula, or credit card to put a thin layer over the whole area that needs fixing... if that's not what you want to do, you could just keep working that line by adding a very little bit of bondo over it sanding and repeating until it goes away... working it from its source to the opposite edge.
i think that there's no way to get away from a little more sanding on this project. same with the other problem. more sanding can only help it to look better.
other than what you're stating it looks pretty darn good from where i'm sitting.
good job!!!!!

You know, that was what I was afraid of, that I would have to use more Bondo and keep sanding, but hey, if I want it to look as real as I can, I have to do what I have to do! Well, you can be assured that there will be more photos and tutorial to go along so that anyone else that has the inspiration to create their own lid, they will see first hand that Bondo and sanding are a Boba crafters best friend!!
 
are you saying that the line where the sintra and bondo meet is showing too much? if so, i think that adding a little more bondo in a thin layer over the whole cheek and sanding it smooth will eliminate that problem. i use a spatula, or credit card to put a thin layer over the whole area that needs fixing... if that's not what you want to do, you could just keep working that line by adding a very little bit of bondo over it sanding and repeating until it goes away... working it from its source to the opposite edge.
i think that there's no way to get away from a little more sanding on this project. same with the other problem. more sanding can only help it to look better.
other than what you're stating it looks pretty darn good from where i'm sitting.
good job!!!!!

You know, that was what I was afraid of, that I would have to use more Bondo and keep sanding, but hey, if I want it to look as real as I can, I have to do what I have to do! Well, you can be assured that there will be more photos and tutorial to go along so that anyone else that has the inspiration to create their own lid, they will see first hand that Bondo and sanding are a Boba crafters best friend!! If anyone has used any other sealer/smoother, please let me know.

Thanks,
Eric
 
I think he is saying the roughness of the bondo and sintra is showing through. Here is my suggestion. Sand until you turn blue. Go with 220 first to get the bumps out, move up to 400 and sand that sucker down like you have never sanded before. Then go up to 600, and to finish things off, primer it, wet sand it with 2000 grit, primer it again, feel it for any bumps, wet sand it again. Repeat the wet sanding process if you still can feel tiny imperfections and micro-bumps. When you are all done, primer it up again and start painting.

Just remember that if you want a really smooth finish on your helmet, then IMO sanding is the most crucial key and you should take the most time sanding it down to get it smooth!


That seems to really be the truth to this scratch building, sanding, sanding and hey - more sanding! I found some 1000 grit paper at a local hobby store, but 2000? I have not seen that high, did you purchase on line or at a local shop? I am hoping that I have not applied the first primer coat too soon, all the sanding that I have to do is going to be difficult from the primer paint "gumming" up the sandpaper. But yes, sounds like my work is still far from over!
 
I think he is saying the roughness of the bondo and sintra is showing through. Here is my suggestion. Sand until you turn blue. Go with 220 first to get the bumps out, move up to 400 and sand that sucker down like you have never sanded before. Then go up to 600, and to finish things off, primer it, wet sand it with 2000 grit, primer it again, feel it for any bumps, wet sand it again. Repeat the wet sanding process if you still can feel tiny imperfections and micro-bumps. When you are all done, primer it up again and start painting.

Just remember that if you want a really smooth finish on your helmet, then IMO sanding is the most crucial key and you should take the most time sanding it down to get it smooth!
this is good advice right here.wet sanding is what you want to be doing towards the end to give it that finished smooth, wasn't done with sandpaper look.

and yes, sanding sucks but it is what seperates us from the cavemen!!!
now get to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D
 
this is good advice right here.wet sanding is what you want to be doing towards the end to give it that finished smooth, wasn't done with sandpaper look.

and yes, sanding sucks but it is what seperates us from the cavemen!!!
now get to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D


Will Do!! Oh happy day!!! Sanding!! :cry
 
this is good advice right here.wet sanding is what you want to be doing towards the end to give it that finished smooth, wasn't done with sandpaper look.

and yes, sanding sucks but it is what seperates us from the cavemen!!!
now get to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D


Will Do!! Oh happy day!!! Sanding!! :cry But hey, all for a smooth Boba then!8)
 
I have up to 10,000 grit bud. :)

I got my 2000 at walmart actually. Its made by 3m. Just know that the higher you go up in grits like 1000 and above, then the paper gets more expensive. My projects that do not require a smooth finish like, my custom mando, are rough around the edges, etc. But if you want a professional finish, then it would be best to sand until you turn blue and pass out haha.

For such a nice scratchbuild you have made, it is worth it to sand that much.
 
Sorry gang, I have come under hte weather this weekend and have postponed any Boba work for now. Just for informational purposes though, I decided to take a couple of close up pics of the rough areas that I had mentioned in previous entries so that others can see what I am talking about and hopefully avoid these pitfalls. So, here you are! If you have had these spots as well, let me know.

Thanks,
Eric

DSC03001-resize.jpg


DSC03002-resize.jpg


DSC03004-resize.jpg


DSC03005-resize.jpg
 
If you are still looking for 2000 grit paper try the automotive section at Wal-mart or an auto parts store. If Wally World doesn't have it a parts store will.
 
I think everyone has had those spots when working with bondo. Unless after the bondo cured, they painstaikingly sanded with 10,000 grit. haha.
 
If you are still looking for 2000 grit paper try the automotive section at Wal-mart or an auto parts store. If Wally World doesn't have it a parts store will.
My local Wally Worls is not blessed with even Bondo! Let alone high grit sandpaper. I will try the auto shops though, had not really thought about them. Thanks!
 
I think everyone has had those spots when working with bondo. Unless after the bondo cured, they painstaikingly sanded with 10,000 grit. haha.
Alright, hopefully I have some luck finding the high grit sandpaper at an auto parts store. I had thought of using my dremmel and the polishing attachments to see how it comes out, anyone tried that method with success??
 
You wouldnt have much luck polishing that out unless you spend a century with the dremel on and you might get somewhere. In my opinion, If you can only find 1000 then that is good enough for this. No need for any higher. Honestly, it looks so good that Just 220 grit, 400, 600, and 1000 for wetsanding in between coats of primer.
 
I have begun round one of resanding. I have started with 400 grit paper, I used the wed/dry type and found that when performing the sanding wet, it makes things really smooth! Thanks for all the input guys on the wet sanding or sanding in general. I would recommend to all that you will be more sucessful when taking the time to sand properly! So here are some shots (not really glamorous, but here they are)....Actually, it looks kind of cool in some spots, I may have to revisit this look for a custom job!

Eric

DSC03006-resize.jpg


DSC03007-resize.jpg


DSC03008resize.jpg
 
This thread is more than 11 years old.

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

  1. This thread hasn't been active in some time. A new post in this thread might not contribute constructively to this discussion after so long.
If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.
Back
Top