ESB Flightsuit: Correcting the color first?

Roninson

Hunter
I'm currently looking to weather up the flightsuit for my ESB build. As I was studying the ESB photos, its pretty obvious that my suit is darker and with a more slightly more vibrant blue. I'm now considering how to bring the color down to something closer to the ESB color. My first thought was to soak it in a light bleach wash, but a friend recommended against it because it may take it too far away from the correct color (or ruin it altogether).

Here's some pics of how it currently looks -- with and without a flash, in comparison with reference photos of the ESB Fett. I think in natural light it looks a lot closer to the image with the flash (its not nearly as deep or blue/purple as the without flash pics here).

BF_FlightSuitShots_01b.jpg



BF_FlightSuitShots_02.jpg




Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks!
 
Also ritz color remover works well. NOT BLEACH. I cannot stress that enough. It will cause you too much stress. Good luck. Oh and a very long term solution is sun bleaching.... Very long turn.
 
A bit of an update: I tried Rit Color Remover and the color didn't budge. So either the material isn't cotton (could have swore it was) or the color isn't dyed in.

Does anyone know if the color discrepancy above would rule out being 501st approved? If so, I may need to look into getting another flightsuit. :confused
 
Same here, SM. I was thinking of trying to weather it anyway as well. Still, if the color is too off for approval, it would be some wasted time & effort.
 
A bit of an update: I tried Rit Color Remover and the color didn't budge. So either the material isn't cotton (could have swore it was) or the color isn't dyed in.

Does anyone know if the color discrepancy above would rule out being 501st approved? If so, I may need to look into getting another flightsuit. :confused

The suit may have a synthetic weave through it, I have one that is just like yours, which I have been keeping in my front room window to sun bleach. As no remover worked on it either, though mine is not blue like yours.
just out of curiosity, where did you get yours from:confused

There is something you can do, but its a bit tricky and you would have to practice on something first. But before I go there, I think you should be fine with the color of the suit. The Fett costume is more rated on total appearance and how well it fits, but check with your local garrison if you have doubts as they will be able to give you the definitive nod of approval.

Anyway as I was saying... the most easiest way to lighten the synthetic blend is clothing paint. A weak mixture of white or grey will lighten the blue. But it is hit and miss to get the colour combination right. So it maybe best to bite the bullet and just buy a new one, but maybe from some place else?? then you can sell the old to recoup the cost.
Oh and to check if its cotton, put a drop of bleach somewhere you will not see and if it changes colour ( usually to a yellow/ cream brown ) its cotton...
Good luck

- - - Updated - - -

Oh I forgot to say, I have seen people in blue Fett suits:D
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Roninson,

I went through a lot of the same issues when working on my flight suit. It was an absolute nightmare but I got it pretty close with a little experimentation. Once you weather it, it should also tone down the color a bit. The pics below will give you an idea on where I was originally and where it was just before submitting my 501st application.

DSC01579.jpg


April282012159.jpg


Fett050212009.jpg


P.S. I know I had some stuff missing/incorrect in these pics but i'm just trying to show the color changes ;)

Enjoy,
Terrantula
BH-4634
 
Or if you're really desperate you could bleach the whole thing white again in a concentrated bleach bath and re-dye it all together, a little extreme I know but it would be a fresh start.
 
Thanks for the responses, guys. As far as where the suit came from, I don't know who made it, but I purchased it from someone here a LONG time ago (I believe they bought it from someone else as well).

As fettwho recommended, I experimented with bleach last evening. The flightsuit came with two pouches - one of which, was sewn to the incorrect dimensions. I used a small area on its flap to test bleach on and to no surprise, it wasn't affected by the bleach at all - synthetic material I now assume.

I may weather it still, but I don't believe it will affect the saturation of blue. I considered cloth spray paint, but in its current form (4 oz. spray bottles) I imagine it will cost a lot of paint and time to bring it back to a color that works.
 
For paint, try printing supplies, as in screen printing (You may find print paint cheaper, you may not). Screen print paint is heat sealed and also comes in larger quantities. Depending on the type it can be thinned with water, but usually its done with a transparent base.
The great thing about it being heat sealed is you can dip the garment into the thinned solution ( kinda like dyeing) let it dry and then gentle wash to remove excess colour. Once you have the right colour, you then iron the garment to seal the paint.
But if you travel down this road, remember to experimentfirst to save any heart ache . Find some material the same colour and play, before you even attempt it.
On the other hand if its going to cost to much to fix (including your own time), buy a new one...
 
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