Does anyone do helmet prep? Cutting out the T-visor and Key holes? I am really a novice at the dremmel so I would hate to jack my helmet up. Pm me or email me at jadawson1@gmail.com. Thanks!!!!!
Just cut out the visor and keyslots on another bucket last night. Its a fun part of the process. Just put a cutting wheel on your dremel and go to town. Stay steady and go slow, take breaks if you need to. Oh, and wear a dust mask. Have fun
I tend to not cut right up to the edge when I use a power cutter. Leave just a little bit, which you can then clean up with sanding and stuff. I find if I try to cut it right up close I almost always have a boo-boo and cut into something I shouldn't have. On the other hand, don't worry too much if you do. That's what auto putty and fine-grit sanding are for.
Find the right size drill bit that will match the size of the slots but don't go out of the lines. It's better to use a smaller drill bit at least you can always file the holes down. What I did was drill two small holes on each sides (left and right) of key slot. Then I dremel the top and bottom of each key slot from hole to hole. Punch out the cut-out part of the key slot and use jeweler's files to file down the sides (especially the drill holes) and the top part of the slot for a clean look.
Most larger hobby shops or hardware stores should carry sets of small files. I found a set of 8 or 10 in a little plastic pouch at Ace Hardware. It was around $12 or so.
For sanding, I usually start with a 'medium' grit; maybe 200, to remove more material, then work to a finer grit. Be careful when sanding. Work slowly so you don't remove too much material. It's easy to take it off, but harder to put it back on!
that is correct. the higher the number the finer the grit. also automotive grade sandpaper (black stuff) can be used to "wet sand" so you get a nice smooth finish between base coats and primer coats.
Ah helmet prep, my old adversary I'll admit I HATE every bit of it, especially trimming the visor, my last Dremel died at the hands of my FPH and whilst trimming that thing I was so scared of slicing through a mandible it took me about a week, and the amount of resin dust I've washed out of my hair/eyes/clothes/nostrils but when you finish and your bucket is sat there all primered and ready to go theres no better feeling
Well for what it's worth I just finished cutting out the visor in my Rubies Jango Deluxe (a.k.a. my first Bu'cye) and personally I did it with an exacto and a craft knife..honestly I didn't trust my hand to be steady enough to use the dremel...cmae out excellently though!