TheDentedOne's FP ILM CC Repaint!

Here I go again! I may get 2 weeks off of school, but I got ALOT of work to do. Good thing, cause I find myself bored out of my mind when I'm down at my parent's for breaks.

So to get to this next helmet, this is a repaint. Some incredibly vague backstory, this was apparently painted by an art teacher, if I remember correctly. Originally, I was to remove and re-install the visor. From the looks of it, it appeared it was forcebly glued in there, the virtical portion made the mandibles sit too wide, and looked 'off.' When I did remove it, oneside actually sprang out as if it was under tension.

Really, the biggest issue is that the person who painted it, litterally did just that, paint it. Alot of corners were cut on this, and for that, I am re-doing this helmet, fixing the issues that were not dealt with.

First up, over all, from a distance, it doesnt look too bad, it's when you get up close, it starts to show it's true appearence

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/002-60.jpg

Upon closer inspection, it's clear that the helmet was not sanded smooth, or he used a really rough grit. There are these scratch marks all over the helmet's blue sections, and is quite noticable in person, hard to pick up on camera though.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/003-55.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/004-44.jpg

You can see one thing about the paintjob which I honestly think looks bad, is the "rusty" looking weathering. Fortunatly, it's easy to remove with some water and elbow grease

Next thing, I don't know how this was cast, but there are noticable gaps between the helmet and the top sections of the keyslots. I plan to fill with bondo, and paint over it (top will be blue, but bottom will be rubb and buff)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/007-27.jpg

Air holes are everywhere on this helmet, need to fill them

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/005-34.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/008-21.jpg

Final thing, I don't know what happened with the RF box, but it does not appear to be painted the same color/paint as the rest of the helmet. The good thing though is that it's attached to the stalk very well.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/009-12.jpg

So that's what I gotta do, I dont know if I'll be able to finish it, but I'll do what I can. It's coldcast, so no need to rubb and buff the whole helmet, but I'm going to get me some steel wool and aluminum polish to shine up the silver, per request of TheDentedOne.

Leaving tomorrow morning!

-TC

Looks a nice helmet. You the man chris on painting superb helmets.
Sure it in good hands.

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Originally Posted by Mandalorian Guard

Looks a nice helmet. You the man chris on painting superb helmets.
Sure it in good hands.

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Thank you very much! I try my best and try to learn new things to make it better :thumbsup

I finally got around to starting. My parents have had their own schedule of chores for me to do..:ugh: So right now, I'm juggling around this, a small repair job for Revolverocelot (I'm working on it bro!) and the scout gear, which I got full permission to make it as accurate as possible.

I managed to pic up some steel wool, got the finest grade I could get. I began stripping it today, and the wool really helped to get all of the really gunky weathering off, I was not able to remove all of it, due to that the small corners and the like are really hard to access. So right now, I stripped what I could with my mouse sander, trying to be careful as to not accidentally sand down detail lines. I need to get a new sanding sponge so I can get the rest of the areas. After that, tape off the silver, and spray some primer, sand it down to get it smooth so those scratch lines no longer exist.

So here it is right now. I used the wool to shine up the silver and it's alot shinnier in person then it was before

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/002-61.jpg

-TC

You paint up a really great jango helmet. I cant wait for this thread get fully started.

what type of helmet is it? what's it made of?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 987654321a

You paint up a really great jango helmet. I cant wait for this thread get fully started.

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Thank you! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A'den Kyramud

what type of helmet is it? what's it made of?

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It is a FettPride ILM helmet. I don't remember the exact origins of how fettpride got the mold, but these are pretty much next generation screen cast jango helmets. It is made from Cold Cast fiberglass

Looks like another great FP product is gonna get some Chris TLC... :thumbsup
Can't wait for more updates...

lol thanks mojo!

I am going to try a new paint-stripping technique, because I am really afraid of ruining the detail lines on the helmet using sanding paper. I was told that using brake fluid, brushed on, will react to cause the paint to come loose, and can be wiped away after a day or two of this.

I honestly may try this with my own BKBT when I return home. Just that royal blue rustolium is a big pain in the '_____'

Good looking helmet, Chris will fix it up real nice!!!

Lookin' great TC. My poor baby is almost naked. Cant wait to see more. Keep up the good work :thumbsup

OK, so my next question; how'd you buff the dome (which looks amazing) without taking the paint off?

The helmet is cold cast, meaning a metal powder is mixed into the gelcoat. You can then buff that with a fine grade steel wool. That fine grade wool can remove some paint lightly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 987654321a

The helmet is cold cast, meaning a metal powder is mixed into the gelcoat. You can then buff that with a fine grade steel wool. That fine grade wool can remove some paint lightly.

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lol I'd try to type out your board name..rather number if I memorized bro, but your right about this. Just took some find grade steel wool, 0000. You'll see like very small and fine powdery like shavings come off of it, but it shines it in the process. If I ever have time to, I'll get some aluminum polish and go at it with that.

Alright, well I'm going to get back on this hopefully tomorrow. I just got back in town last night. While home, I just never had any other chance to work on it with all of the obligations my parents needed me to take care of, etc..So yea, I'll be making some more progress as soon as I can!

Didn't forget about this one! Just been a bit busy with everything going on. I managed to tape off the silver, so I just need to finish sanding off the inner cheeks, and then I'll get to work with the bondo to fill those air holes.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/001-92.jpg

Some pics from today's work so far. Wet sanded about 98% of the paint off, and then went at it with some steel wool. Really nice and shiny, makes me feel like I'm actually working with metal! I then added the bondo in 7 different places. Once I sand them down, I'll primer and get ready to paint!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/001-93.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/002-68.jpg

-TC

Looking great!!!

Got around to sanding the bondo down, most of it is finished, but I still need to re-apply more in some spots. The gap that was present on the upper part of the key slots (where the key slot casting was attached via fiberglass) is pretty much filled and sanded down. I just need to add a tiny bit more to that, and it'll be good to go. I'll begin the actual painting process soon after.

-TC

wow looking great, i wish i had half your skill,
maybe one day ^_^

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Originally Posted by rudy skirata

wow looking great, i wish i had half your skill,
maybe one day ^_^

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lol trust me, just learn from doing it. I failed miserably my first time. One thing you gotta remember, that my old GoJu Sensei taught us: "everyone starts at the bottom"

As for the helmet, I'm at 99% done with the bondo phase. Filling the back key slot gap has been a huge pain. Once the last of the bondo cures, I'll sand it down, and prepare it for paint!!!!

-TC

Some pics showing it as of now. I've finished filling that gap in the key slot, so thats finished. However, I found yet another tiny air hole, which I'll need to go back over. Also, looking over the rest of the helmet, I've decided I'm going to fix up the inner visor/mandable section with some bondo. Was hard to see before, but there are a series of airholes along the rim, which I'd like to bondo and sand smooth. Almost there....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/003-61.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/009-16.jpg

There is a total of 3 airholes on this ear cap, two are filled, but one I just discovered on the front most area...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/010-12.jpg

And here is one shot of the inner mandible, this is how the rest of it looks all around, which I'll be filling with bondo.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/007-34.jpg


-TC

Alright, well since MegaCon is over, I should have no excuse for slacking on this paint up. I'm going to set a goal date for completion to be May 25

Got all of spring break to work on it too, thats if my parents don't put me to work like last time!


-TC

Well, Ive got some work done...unfortunatly, the bondo phase is not over and due to some computer issues, I cannot post the pics of it at this moment.

I will say the inner rim of the mandible is just about done..and Ive started bondoing the RF pieces. Im going to see if theres someplace I can upload the pics

Alright! I managed to get the pics uploaded from this morning

Here you can see the RF ear and RF box. These casting came out great where it mattered, but the backside is a whole different story. Air holes everywhere..so I did what I had to, and bondo bondo bondo...:ugh: However, I forgot to get the pics w/ the bondo on it :doh

So here they are

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ris85x/rf1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ris85x/rf2.jpg

The RF box was attached to the stalk using wires? I can't tell, but it was to get that smooth screw-headless appearence. However, I was able to pull it off with my bare hands. Going to use screws for this...it was on the screen used helmet after all! The reason I am going to re-attach the RF box is because I did not like the placement, and some of the metal on the very top was protruding farther then the RF box. Also, I polished up the stalk a bit..it's heavily scratched, but after some steel wool, it's not so dull anymore

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ris85x/rf3.jpg

So that's whats going on as of now, just need to finish out the bondo. >:

-TC

Worked on this awhile yesterday. Sanded down all the bondo, I may have to sand just a bit more on the RF box, but otherwise, they are primered and ready to get moded. Going to use the same bolt method I used on my last build, and that SEEKER provided awhile back.

The rim on the inside of the mandable is pretty much done, however, I've just discovered two small airholes :ugh: Never ends, eh? lol

-TC

Great work TC!!! Your hard work is much appreciated :thumbsup

ugh..holes everywhere I look on the RF ear and box. Was really hard to see with paint, but the primer highlighted every hole...

Buddy, save your energy on that earcap ... why don't you let me send you one of mine, I'm sure Camblin won't mind :) That thing is horrible !

FP

Hmm he's right. I absolutly wont mind. Thanks alot FP :thumbsup

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fettpride

Buddy, save your energy on that earcap ... why don't you let me send you one of mine, I'm sure Camblin won't mind :) That thing is horrible !

FP

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by fettpride

Buddy, save your energy on that earcap ... why don't you let me send you one of mine, I'm sure Camblin won't mind :) That thing is horrible !

FP

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I'm sure he wouldn't either, and would help save some time! Thank you FP!!!

Tube,
Looking great brother, better than great, fantastic, and its not even finished yet!
Every time l come back to this thread I pick up another tip, I'm loving it!
And top form FettPride throwing in the earcap!

No Problem guys, just PM me an addy and I'll get it off to ya :thumbsup

FP

You make a Jango earcap FP? Does it allow for a rotating stalk?

I might be interested in buying one off you for my BM helmet if so. It's a fixed stalk and I really wanted to make a RC rotating one.

No, it's "fixed" like the original hero. There's been debate if there was one that actually moved, or if it was CG. I think it was CG personally :lol

Chris

Yeah. I fully agree that it was CG. I just like the idea of making a pivoting one anyway.

I have actualy though about modding one of Bobamaker's ears to make it move. I honestly don't think it would be that hard to do.

I have the BM ear and keep looking at it, thinking about that very thing but haven't done it for fear I'd ruin it in some way and be up a creek without a paddle, or a rangefinder.

I'm still a bit new to all this and the potential for disaster could be high. ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nyx Mandalore

I have the BM ear and keep looking at it, thinking about that very thing but haven't done it for fear I'd ruin it in some way and be up a creek without a paddle, or a rangefinder.

I'm still a bit new to all this and the potential for disaster could be high. ;-)

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Well, my idea would to just trace out a quarter of a circle around the bottom of where the RF stalk sits, close to the rear and take a dremel sanding drum (small one) and grind out the quarter circle within the lines of what you drew. I think that would work once you put a bolt through the stalk

Well on a side note, I was planning on trying out the bolt method visor installation for this helmet...however I first tried this with my own personal BM visor as to not potentially ruin it for this one or the other. Needless to say, I ruined my visor :)

I think I may be going about the wrong way..maybe instead of drilling holes, make short, horizontal notches along the edges of the visor.

First time for everything, but cost me some $$

Hey Chris, just to let you know that the ear cap shipped. Sorry for the delay as I was finishing up some other obligations.

SHIPPED USPS # 0309 0330 0001 9797 3770

Good luck :thumbsup :cheers

FP

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fettpride

Hey Chris, just to let you know that the ear cap shipped. Sorry for the delay as I was finishing up some other obligations.

SHIPPED USPS # 0309 0330 0001 9797 3770

Good luck :thumbsup :cheers

FP

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Thank you very much! I can't wait to get this in!

Alright, well I got the new ear in, thank you FettPride!!!

It's a very nice and incredibly clean cast, just need to mod it for the bolts and paint, and it's ready for the stalk/RF to be attached. I'm going to start painting this week for sure. I've just gotten really picky with gettting the rim of the inner mandibles as even as possible.

I've got a total of 3 jango helmets I'm currently working on, one of them being my own, and need to finish all of these by mid-june!!

-TC

what did you use for your Duraglit? black paint or?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by C1RCA

what did you use for your Duraglit? black paint or?

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Hmm...I'm not familiar with the term "duraglit"?

weathering in this case it's dirt the black stuff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by C1RCA

weathering in this case it's dirt the black stuff

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Oh, well, I have yet to actually paint this helmet, but when I do weather, I use a mix of black and brown acrylic paints

Alright, all bondo work is finnished..for good! I will start painting tonight.

I am going to need to get a new visor though...I just tried forming the one I recieved, and the way it was cut makes it too small and does not cover all areas inside as its supposed to

-TC

This is frustrating...the krylon keeps producing this crinkled/bubble in the paint and no matter how careful I am, it happens. I am trying to get my BKBT ready for the last SWW but I cant get this paint to work!

Thats bad luck there Tube, I feel for you...
Post a pic of the offending paintwork, maybe someone will recognize it and have a tip on how to avoid it.
Could it be due to the cold cast & cold weather?
How long have you had the paint, is it old stock?
Thats all I got, good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CaptJono

Thats bad luck there Tube, I feel for you...
Post a pic of the offending paintwork, maybe someone will recognize it and have a tip on how to avoid it.
Could it be due to the cold cast & cold weather?
How long have you had the paint, is it old stock?
Thats all I got, good luck!

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I actually think that its the humidity. Its been hot and humid here...just gotta try something..brand new paint too

So any luck with the paint yet?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CaptJono

So any luck with the paint yet?

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I'm gonna try again sometime this week. I went to south florida, and tried to paint my helmet again. Big mistake. Nothing was working down there. I'm really frustrated with it, but I'm going to have to wait a bit for the humidity to come down.

Well, it's been awhile, but I'm getting back on this shortly, amongst other things. I think I may have discovered the reason as to why the paint was going on as it did. It is because of how I was sanding it.

I need to buy new sand paper so I can fix it

how does the way you sand it make a difference in how it accepts paint? i've never heard of that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saint_nasty

how does the way you sand it make a difference in how it accepts paint? i've never heard of that.

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Well, the surface texture of the material affects how the paint goes on. I discovered it while attempting to paint another piece. I sanded it mostly with a mouse sander, and then took a 300 grit to it, but it still showed marks from the mouse sander. I repeated sanding with regular paper and wet sanding. Because I didn't start with the lowest grit and work back up, it still revelead the mouse sander marks, which caused the paint to have a crinkled or extremly spotty affect.

I am pretty sure something similar is happening here with the helmet, because I used a mouse sander on quite a few areas.

ok, i get you now. i use a mouse sander too, i start my sanding process with it and a 220 pad. then i go by hand wetsanding 320, 400, 800, 1000. by the time i'm done my arms about to fall off and i've ran up quite the water bill, lol. but i know what you mean with just the mouse, when i made my friends kids boba armor i just sanded the trash can plates with a 220 mouse. it felt smooth enough, but then i painted it and all the tooth marks were showing quite nicely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saint_nasty

ok, i get you now. i use a mouse sander too, i start my sanding process with it and a 220 pad. then i go by hand wetsanding 320, 400, 800, 1000. by the time i'm done my arms about to fall off and i've ran up quite the water bill, lol. but i know what you mean with just the mouse, when i made my friends kids boba armor i just sanded the trash can plates with a 220 mouse. it felt smooth enough, but then i painted it and all the tooth marks were showing quite nicely.

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Yea, I'm cutting down the amount of work I do with the mouse sander for paintjobs. It's been ruinning alot of my work and paint.

I managed to paint the blue on, but ran out of paint sorta half-way through, but I might need to sand it down again cause a few spots I missed appeared in some spots, but not as bad as i was before.

Anyways, I'm going to finish this in the next few weeks, making my goal before Halloween. I've had this helmet far too long and I want to apologize to the TheDentedOne for the wait.

Going to get some more krylon paint, cause they couldn't have made the cans any smaller :wacko

-TC

The crinkled finish in the Krylon can also be caused by applying a heavy coat that negatively reacts to the Rustoleum underneath it, especially if the Rustoleum paint was sanded down considerably. My solution to that problem has been to first apply a very light coat and letting it dry for a day to seal everything, and then coming back with a heavier smoothing coat 24 hours later. Keep in mind that when I say "very light coat", I mean you can still see the surface undearneath somewhat.:thumbsup

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cruzer

The crinkled finish in the Krylon can also be caused by applying a heavy coat that negatively reacts to the Rustoleum underneath it, especially if the Rustoleum paint was sanded down considerably. My solution to that problem has been to first apply a very light coat and letting it dry for a day to seal everything, and then coming back with a heavier smoothing coat 24 hours later. Keep in mind that when I say "very light coat", I mean you can still see the surface undearneath somewhat.:thumbsup

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Normally, that's what I think it would be...however, I don't apply the rustolium before the krylon, so I'm spraying directly onto the helmet surface. I'm still sure it's a sanding issue, cause I never had these issues before I ever started using a mouse sander on these props

light coats are always good...what I do like about the krylon though, is that it dries very well to the touch in a very short time period

Update...

Had a similar reaction again, but this time, it was much more minimal, so I feel I'm just about close to getting past this one thing. It's been really frustrating but oh well. I've begun sanding down again (wetsanding it off, no more mouse sander), going to finish sanding again tomorrow.

Also in the pics is the New RF ear cap generously supplied by FettPride

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/010-15.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/011-14.jpg

Hard to see here, but I've circled where the bubbles re-surfaced. Much more noticable in person

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...intbubbles.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...s85x/015-7.jpg

-TC

Bringing back up this thread.

I have just under 5 weeks left before I leave for Basic. I'm not proud of myself for having held onto this helmet for this long and as I've said before, theres no excuse. I've been working on this for the past week, stripping down the paint. I recieved a BobaMaker Jango visor as well this week. I've completly wet-sanded the entire helmet, and should have gotten rid of the un-eveness of when I used the mouse sander sometime ago. I feel that was the cause of the splotches of paint as posted above.

Anyways, I need to find my drill set. It went missing shortly after finishing my snowtrooper. Don't know whether or not it was stolen, but wouldn't be surprised..

-TC

Finally was able to finish stripping about 98% of the previous paint off, completly wet-sanded this time. Filled some holes where the previous builder had put some wood screws to hold the ear cap in place. Got that sanded down. I had to remove the original masking tape, repolish the silver. I'm gonna be re-masking it again tonight, and put a few layers of primer down for me to sand. The weather is alot cooler, so if things go as planned, painting shouldn't be an issue.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/005-47.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/006-49.jpg

-TC

Good to see you back on this Chris! Your work is good! You need to show these Noobs how you really paint lids! lol

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Originally Posted by Mandalorian Guard

Good to see you back on this Chris! Your work is good! You need to show these Noobs how you really paint lids! lol

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LOL I've always thought that I am an everlasting noob

Okay! So I had somehwhat of a busy day today but I was able to mask everything off and get a few layers of primer down. Tomorrow I have nothing to do, so I'm gonna do another sanding to smooth it out again and put some blue down. Hopefully it won't bubble like before :fingerscrossed:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/003-78.jpg

Need to get ahold of a drill set. I want to get the RF box attached to the stalk sometime soon, and start modding the ear cap!

-TC

The Krylon and the Rustoleum together will give you fits. I have come to despise Rustoleum due to their lengthy drying times and they seem to be incompatible with certain types of primers also. I feel your pain from doing TD0488's paintup. If someone could find other hobby paints which would work the incompatibility issues could be solved.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SD68

The Krylon and the Rustoleum together will give you fits. I have come to despise Rustoleum due to their lengthy drying times and they seem to be incompatible with certain types of primers also. I feel your pain from doing TD0488's paintup. If someone could find other hobby paints which would work the incompatibility issues could be solved.

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For the most part, I haven't had too many issues with the two paints conflicting. The biggest issues have always come from the krylon application. The Rustolium always came out fine for me. I will say that other projects I've worked on, the rustolium paints do have issues within it's own brand.

same exact thing happend. Excuse me while I go shoot myself in the foot *sigh*

Don't strip it off yet. I had similar problems with the Krylon. I ended up just putting on several layers and wetsanding it with like 2000 grit sandpaper. It ended up coming out great with a natural semi-gloss finish.

So your saying to spray on the krylon despite the bubbling? After you sand it, did you apply another layer?

The final coat on mine is a wetsanded coat. You may have to apply several layers but the finished coat can be wetsanded with 2000 grit.

Keep up the good work TC. Youll get it figured out

I've had bubbling occur in the Krylon when I applied it too thick and it's was placed in front of a source of heat. Might that be your case? I would recommend sealing all of the painted areas with the Rustoleum and then going back and taping off the Krylon areas and painting over the Rustoleum. That's how I've done all of my helmets and it has worked out fine for me when I've applied the Krylon lightly. When I went to heavy with the Krylon...it bubbled.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cruzer

I've had bubbling occur in the Krylon when I applied it too thick and it's was placed in front of a source of heat. Might that be your case? I would recommend sealing all of the painted areas with the Rustoleum and then going back and taping off the Krylon areas and painting over the Rustoleum. That's how I've done all of my helmets and it has worked out fine for me when I've applied the Krylon lightly. When I went to heavy with the Krylon...it bubbled.

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I've actually considered that before. The reason I haven't tried it is that I think it'd make masking off for the krylon a little more challenging. If the method that foxbatkller dosn't work out for me, then I'll give this a shot.

As for application of the krylon, I've tried going as light as possible. It has even bubbled when I tried "misting" the helmet. I cannot explain it for the life of me

Thanks guys!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Foxbatkllr

The final coat on mine is a wetsanded coat. You may have to apply several layers but the finished coat can be wetsanded with 2000 grit.

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So..lol, where can I purchase 2000 grit sandpaper? I just got back from Home Depot, and the finest grit they had was 600. Only other hardware store around is Lowes

ace hardware has some really high grit sandpaper, up to 2000. well, they do in the both the stores around here. i'm guessing they would be pretty much the same all around the country.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saint_nasty

ace hardware has some really high grit sandpaper, up to 2000. well, they do in the both the stores around here. i'm guessing they would be pretty much the same all around the country.

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Hmm alright. Well since I didn't open what I bought today, I'll just go return that and go by an ACE then. I should probably pick up another can of Krylon while I'm there...Thanks!!!

Wal-Mart in the auto section or most auto parts stores carry 2000 grit. Also I recommend picking up some 1000 and 1500 in case the 2000 doesn't do the trick.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Foxbatkllr

Wal-Mart in the auto section or most auto parts stores carry 2000 grit. Also I recommend picking up some 1000 and 1500 in case the 2000 doesn't do the trick.

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Yea, I had gone to about 3 Ace hardware's today, and none of them carried 2000 grit. The last one though, at least they guy running it knew 2000 grit existed! Everyone else thought I was crazy lol Anyways, that was the only place that carried 1500, so I picked that up. I'll check the local wally world, but I don't think they'll carry it.

The sanding techinique didn't work. It made it very spotty and didn't look good. I'm having to sand it all back down tomorrow. I've bought two brand new cans of the krylon. I don't know what else to do at this point. I have absolutly no idea as to why this is happening other then to say that the krylon paint has gone to **** since they've changed their formula cause the EPA wants to "go green" (aka Go Stupid)

Keep wet sanding. It'll look spotty until you get an even surface. So just try to keep wet sanding. You can also add another light coat on top of what you sanded. Pretend like the krylon is a primer and you're trying to get a perfectly smooth, even surface for rub n buff.

Still sounds like you're spaying on the Ocean Blue too thick and air bubbles are remaining below the surface as well on top off. I still recommend sealing all the painted areas with the Rustoleum and then spaying a light coat of the Ocean Blue. :thumbsup

Sanding the helmet all day today, still a ways to go, but I'm gonna get everything all smooth. I'm going to switch primers as well. I've started using the automotive gray primer for awhile, but I'm going to go back to the rustolium white primer that I've used on all my past commissions. Can't say it will make a difference, but nothing to lose. I'm gonna be getting the rangefinder assembled w/ bolt method as per my last screen-cast build. Shouldn't take too long to do in a day, then paint it up.

Getting down to the wire and I'm really going to be kicking myself if I can't get this paint to work this last week I have before I leave....

-TC

Well, I started to actually make some progress..I've got the RF box attached to the stalk via screws. I'm going to grind off the screw heads when I get home with my dremel. I've also got the bolt modification for the ear-cap about 75% done. One bolt is already permanently attached, just waiting to JB weld the other. Once the second one is finished, I just need to paint both the ear cap and the RF box, then JB weld the stalk into the ear cap, and it's done and ready to be put on the helmet.

Going to spend the day wet-sanding the helmet again as well. I just hope the rest of the painting can go just as smooth

Bad news. My car broke down last night. The timing belt went and the mechanics want $841 for repairs, money that I and my parent's don't have at the moment. I have to be home monday to report for basic trainning, and my parents are suggesting that I leave my car up here and have me fly back home.

The problem is that I have my costume and this Jango helmet w/ tools and paint. I don't know how the hell I'm going to be able to get all of this put on a flight. FML

can you mail it or UPS

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mullreel

can you mail it or UPS

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Yea I would have..but...

Now good news..My grandmother is going to front the cash for the repairs, and the mechanics said my car should be ready to go by noon tomorrow. I had planned to leave tomorrow originally, so it will work out.

Anyways, I'm getting back to work on the helmet. About done with sanding it, and should be able to try the new paint tonight. For the RF ear cap, the bolts are attached now, I just need to widen one of the holes on the helmet slightly, and it will fit just as it should. I don't have the Royal Blue in my possession, so I'll have to wait to paint the ears/RF box until I get back.

Assuming the paint works out, it shoudn't take more then an hour or two to actually finish off the helmet after its completly dry

nice to have a relative to bail you out from time to time..............................I know from experience

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mullreel

nice to have a relative to bail you out from time to time..............................I know from experience

---

Yea, this is the first I have had this kind of thing happen. I'm very grateful

Got back to work today. I bought new sanding sponges, and they have really decreased the sanding time/work. Thats a big plus. I stripped the rest of the paint/primer from my last attempt, and just put down a smooth coat of primer. I'm going to go the route that Cruzer suggested, painting the rustolium royal blue first, then the krylon.

The only drawback to this method is that the paint will take alot longer to cure...however, this might work. I've also started to paint the ear cap as well. I'm waiting to get some pics I took while in tallahassee from my buddy's cam to show the who ear/RF set-up emailed to post...

Working as best I can..just if the paint works with me, I can finish this helmet no prob before I ship out.

I usually let the Rustoleum dry for about 5-7 days to eliminate any tape marks. The wait time sucks but I feel is worth it in the end. After that, I tape off the Krylon areas and lightly scuff the exposed surfaces with some steel wool. I hope it works this time around. Good luck

Oh god I think Im about to cry. I wanted to just test a spot with the new cans of krylon, and it went on as smooth as a baby's behind. I did the entire helmet with no spotting like before.

I'm at a loss for words. If this didn't work tonight, I wasn't sure when it would. Im gonna wait for it to dry and put a second coat down, and mask off the cheeks later tonight.

:cry

Alright, here are some pics of how it is right now!

I'm was very happy about tonight's turnout that I may have had a few celebratory drinks :lol

First up is the RF ear cap assembly. The stalk hasn't been permenantly attached yet, but this is pretty much how it will look. The odd thing is that the ear cap dosn't sit perfectly flush against the helmet, but adjusting the bolt's tightness will actually help bring it closer

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/007-47.jpg

A close up of the RF box. I grinded down the screw heads to make it appear like the screen used helm. (Plus, its neater looking!) hmmm..May need to take a sanding drum over it to clean it up a bit more

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/006-52.jpg

And here are some pics of the helmet w/ ear and rangfinder

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/005-49.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/004-65.jpg

Tomorrow, I'll paint the cheeks and ears, JB weld the stalk, add some pin-striping and by Sunday, install the Visor and weather the sucker

Goodnight!

-TC

I now have permanently attached the RF stalk to the ear so that's settled. I also painted the inner cheeks and now awaiting for the ear's to dry as well. I had planned on clear-coating the helmet, but ran out of my rustolium brand clear coat. I go to Wally world tonight to pick some up (as home depot was closed by then) Unfortunatly, they have every other rustolium paint, but no clear coat. So I picked up the krylon brand. Big mistake!

I just tested it on the backside of the RF ear cap, and holy hell did it react. Good thing I tested it, or else I'd be in a huge mess, quite litterally. Good thing is, I can just sand the back of it, and re-paint it, no big deal. I'll just go to home depot tomorrow and pick up the regular brand that I know works perfectly. I hear of others on the site that DON'T clear coat after using the same exact paints. The issue is that the krylon ocean blue can be scratched off quite easily...

****...I painted one ear, but one side of it was still lighter and had more of the krylon color..I just went back and sprayed a little over it again to cover it up..whole side just fish-eyed :ugh:

Need to sand it all down and re-do it tomorrow morning..

Other then that, the whole helmet is perfect...Just my luck. Should have just left it alone!!

I suppose miracles can happen. This helmet is FINISHED!!! I'm going to bed now, got ALOT to do in the morning, like ship this thing out!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/004.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/012.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/005.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/013.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/014.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/009.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/010.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/018.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/017.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/011.jpg

You can't see my weary eye'd expression under it, but this is my obligatory "me wearing the thing" pic

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ission/016.jpg

The one thing I will say is that the inside looks NO where as pretty as the outside!

Goodnight!

-TC

very nice chris. i'm glad to see it finally finished. congrats man.

Thanks! I just shipped this out to TheDentedOne on Monday, and I myself am shipping out to Army basic in the morning!

Nice Work Chris! You painting more helmets after this?

not while he's in basic.