TheDentedOne's FP ILM CC Repaint!

Foxbatkllr · Feb 25, 2010

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.

Cruzer · Feb 25, 2010

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.

tubachris85x · Feb 26, 2010

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

tubachris85x · Mar 1, 2010

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

tubachris85x · Mar 2, 2010

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

Mullreel · Mar 2, 2010

can you mail it or UPS

tubachris85x · Mar 2, 2010

Mullreel said:
can you mail it or UPS

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

Mullreel · Mar 2, 2010

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

tubachris85x · Mar 2, 2010

Mullreel said:
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

tubachris85x · Mar 5, 2010

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.

Cruzer · Mar 5, 2010

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

tubachris85x · Mar 5, 2010

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

tubachris85x · Mar 5, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

tubachris85x · Mar 6, 2010

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...

tubachris85x · Mar 7, 2010

****...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!!