Darth Vader ROTS Supreme helmet

[dynamic1]

Hey all- I am new to this starwars blog stuff so please be gentle . I have the supreme edition DV costume w/the MR edition helmet. However, I do not want to wear the MR helmet so I am doing some upgrades to the supreme one. I plan on upgrading the majority of the armor but as of right now I am in the process of stripping the inside padding of the helmet and removing the cheesy foam it came with, FYI (mind the fumes). I have emailed "vaderpainter" in order to see about getting him to paint it w/ his process. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions for me as I embark on this fun process? Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks guys!

 

[Jango 5204]

In my opinion, the MR will look 100% better than the rubies. I wear my MR with my suit. I'm careful and it still gets a little wear and tear, but im not spending that much money to let it sit on a shelf. I want my ROTS suit to be the best it can be. I've never seen the 2 side by side, that would be interesting.

 

[OBrotherRacing]

I wear my MR Helmet with the neck piece under/inside the chest armor. I would add some moleskin or other type of soft material on the underside of the armor to limit wear on the helmet. In regards to the helmet that comes with the costume, though it is claimed to be "from the actual molds," it is more likely to be from some early molds of an ESB helmet. So, if you are going for authentic ROTS, you're in for a lot of mods, if you do not want to use the MR helmet. Some other suggestions:

1. Replace the suit w/ a leather one piece - makes a HUGE improvement
2. Replace gloves w/ leather - same improvement as above
3. Add an automotive quality paint job to the shin armor and chest/shoulder armor, along with a high gloss coat. Unless you have the funds to replace these with fiberglass, a quality paint job can do wonders for these lightweight, easy-to-troop in pieces.
4. Keep the cod piece as-is.
5. Replace belt boxes and buckle w/authentic sized - I have Portumac, though I know some would prefer others.
6. Clean/scrape out the red toggle switch on the chest box and add a red light w/ some diffusing paper.
7. Replace the rods on the chest box with metal rods.

These are only suggestions, IMHO, to get you by for a while. Other people can get you a lot farther. Good luck!

Jason

 

[dynamic1]

In my opinion, the MR will look 100% better than the rubies. I wear my MR with my suit. I'm careful and it still gets a little wear and tear, but im not spending that much money to let it sit on a shelf. I want my ROTS suit to be the best it can be. I've never seen the 2 side by side, that would be interesting.

Thanks, so much for the motivation on the MR helmet...I may have to rock it : ). Any suggestions will be very appreciated.

 

[dynamic1]

Hey Jason- Thanks so much for the info!!! You guys have motivated me to rock the MR. I have some questions. I have ordered the ROTS cod piece from fenix props(great guys), next month I am purchasing the one piece leather suit... do you like custom props or fenix? I love the customer service at fenix. Next, how do you wear the helmet under the armor, and does it stay? I have the DV boots w/ 3" risers on them which put me at around 6'2-3" w/ helmet...im only 5'91/2" : ). How do you keep the armor from sliding around on your shoulders? Fortunately my mother is a seamstress so my cape is being upgraded w/ satin lining and leather trim (I know not ROTS but I prefer the look). For the paint, I have tried unsuccesfully many times to get a hold of vaderpainter as his work is great but either he is out of town, or not doing it anymore??? Anyhow, thanks so much for your help and I look forward to your reply!
Thanks
Brian

 

[Jango 5204]

I bought the cod too, never use it. All the available ROTS cods are not accurate. The most accurate version currently available, believfe it or not, is the Rbuies, which is what I use. Onto the suit. BUY THE LEATHER! BUY THE LEATHER!!! A little more money, much cooler than pleather, I've had both. CP and Fenix, LA, all their stuff is pretty much the same. I put the soft half of velcro on the inside edge of the neck armor, so it doesnt scratch my helmet. Not much head turning going on. The weight of the cape, keeps my shoulder armor in place. If you're using the Rubies shoulders, some guys put velcro on the suit and the shoulders to keep them in place. NO LEATHER TRIM on the neck edge of the cape for ROTS. Something to consider if you want it 501st approved. I just took pics of my suit tonight to use as the basis of the CRL for ROTS.

 

[OBrotherRacing]

Jango is right on. Go with the leather on the suit. I bout mine from a TDH member and I think it is a Phoenix, but, like Jango already said, they are all pretty much the same. I would also recommend attaching the shoulder bells to the chest armor in a rigid mount (as opposed to the hinged style). Experiment with a SMALL amount of Gorilla glue and a bunch of c-clamps to get a smooth fit. If you can't get a hold of VaderPainter, check with a local automotive painter. Get your hands a little dirty by roughing the paint up with some sand paper then prepping it with some primer-filler. You'll appreciate your work a lot more. The other thing is once the shoulder bells are rigidly attached, get some industrial strength velcro, sow half to the cape then attach the other piece to the front portion of the shoulder bell. This will insure the cape doesn't slip around too much AND it aids in the weight keeping the armor in place. The other thing I did, to help reduce armor movement, attach a strap to the inside center of the chest armor (again, with Gorilla Glue) then wrap it under your arms and clamp at your back. Takes some getting used to, but with the straps below and the cape pulling against it from above, it wont move at all. Also, your helmet neck piece can slide under the armor, you just have to turn the helmet slightly to the left or right so it will fit. Once it's under, turn it straight and you're good to go!

By the way, are your boot risers on the inside or the outside???

Jason

 

[dynamic1]

I bought the cod too, never use it. All the available ROTS cods are not accurate. The most accurate version currently available, believfe it or not, is the Rbuies, which is what I use. Onto the suit. BUY THE LEATHER! BUY THE LEATHER!!! A little more money, much cooler than pleather, I've had both. CP and Fenix, LA, all their stuff is pretty much the same. I put the soft half of velcro on the inside edge of the neck armor, so it doesnt scratch my helmet. Not much head turning going on. The weight of the cape, keeps my shoulder armor in place. If you're using the Rubies shoulders, some guys put velcro on the suit and the shoulders to keep them in place. NO LEATHER TRIM on the neck edge of the cape for ROTS. Something to consider if you want it 501st approved. I just took pics of my suit tonight to use as the basis of the CRL for ROTS.

Hey Jason- Thanks again for the quick reply. Ok, no leather trim it is. Any info on "Vaderpainter"? I am looking to get the rubies armor painted, any suggestions as to where I can do this? Id like to get it done soon. Def going to get the leather, that faux stuff is like a hot box! Post some of your pics...would love to see and/ or email to dynamic1.brian@gmail.com. Although I have been a SW fan for many many years and am familliar w/ the 501st where is our Ca sector? I've never really thought about joining but would love to hear more about it if you have the time.

 

[Jango 5204]

You using gorilla glue on that rubies plastic shoulder armor? I couldn't get anything to bond to it. I have a set in the garage. I ended up narrowing my portumac and reshaped the shoulder bells. I did use a hing for the bells, but they close down and get held in place with magnets.

 

[Jango 5204]

I'm in Central California garrison. Depends on your location.

After first completion in 2008'

This was taken yesterday

 

[dynamic1]

Hey Jason- WOW...Great info! You guys are a huge help! Id like more detailed info on the whole sanding and primer info...im not the most handy guy but im sure I can manage and dont mind the project at all! On the cape, it just clips into the clasps, and the chain is a decoy that sits on the front correct? creating the illusion that its held by the chain alone??? And to clear this up, the outside section is velcrod to the lateral shoulder bells to help keep in place. I actually have one set that I experimented with that have 3" risers on bottom and 1" inside the boot...they dont look to bad at all. I have another pair being done w/ only 2" on bottom and 1" inside which only puts me at 6'1" or 6'2"? Any suggestions? Did you have to use risers at all?
Thanks
Brian

 

[dynamic1]

NICE JANGO! Great pics!!! Love the chest armor and the sattin inner cape seals the deal! With the leather how are the measurements? Like I said I am 5'9" and (not to toot my own horn) but as an ex-professional athlete pretty muscular at 185-190. I just dont want the suit to be tight in the wrong places...thighs, arms etc. How loose or tight should it be? The leather guys seem to do a great job at fitting. What do you suggest? Do you have to use risers as well? LOL! that sounds rediculous! Your armor is portumac correct? Is it the same scale as my rubies?
Thanks
B

 

[dynamic1]

Again Phenominal pics brutha!!! Another question..hope you dont mind, I dont do anything half a_ _ if you know what I mean : ). I notice a trim at the top of the cape, or is it just the seam? Again does it hook to the clasps on the armor and then velcro as well? Thanks again bud!
Brian

 

[Jango 5204]

Just a sewn seam.
Here's my cape set up. I moved the cape clips back, and used a tab of velcro to keep the corners down. Chain stays with the shoulder armor. The tab behind the clip is the loop pertion of the velcro to prevent scratches.

I'm 6-00 230 lbs. I'm 6-8" in the suit. I had my soles match that of Hayden's and have about 1/2" of internal lift. The helmet accounts for about 4". Portumac's shoulders are huge, a lot bigger than the rubies. The bakc of the suit is all net material. I used dress clips to pull it tight to give it a fitted look. I weigh a lot but have a relatively slim waist at 34. I'm an avid gym bug.

 

[dynamic1]

Beautiful! I see..so, did you sew the loops on the cape or were they already there? Chain stays on like I mentioned and velcro tabs and loop help keep the cape in place. What does the inside of the armor look like? Lined? As a fellow ftiness enthusiast you prob dont need any padding either : ). Should I look into replacing the chest armor? On another note, I was looking at some photos on FB of Starwars celebration this year and there seems to be alot of troopers in rubies supreme armor...didnt look bad at all? What you think? How is the Fett rubies edition? Oh also, Do you velcro the chest box onto the leather or strap? Thanks man!
Brian

 

[Jango 5204]

I sewed new loops for the capes. The cape comes with loops, but they were in the wrong place. The back looks like fiberglass. It has a little bit of padding. When you have the helmet on, and slip on the shulders, look at the the fit between the neck and the shoulders. Compare to reference pics, let that be your guide. Plenty of ROTS use the Rubies shoulders. Need to check out 501stsithlords.com. They need to be repainted at minimum, but you can use them. Fett rubies, no no. Everything you need you can find here. Chest box is velcro'd to the suit.

 

[dynamic1]

Perfect... Im taking notes : ). So so far my suit looks as follows:
- MR helmet
- Rubies armor which I will re-paint
- Rubies chest box, belt boxes
- fenix leather one piece w/ leather gloves
- Rubies cape w/ satin liner...NO Leather
- DV Boots from lucas LTD w/ 2" heel rise and 1" inside..6'3" at best : )
- Hasbro removable blade saber

What you think?.. Should I purchase the chain from CP instead of rubies chain??
Thanks
B

 

[dynamic1]

Hey, also I notice in your DV photo the black mole skin comes up to protect the helmet..cool. WHere did you get that mole skin or whatever it is? I wanna pic some up today while im on a roll

 

[dynamic1]

Hey guys, I got an auto paint shop (same shop that just repaired my wifes dent in her Lexus) to paint the rubies armor.. He said he was actually familliar w/ the project and said he's sand a bit first, then paint and coat it for me! If this turns out well Im going to have him do the rubies helmet as well.May as well have 2 nice helmets, all be it one much nicer than the other LOL! He said the paint will adhese to the plastic nicely..is this correct? Also, I would like some suggestions for setting the chest box on the leather.. photos if possible. I never eceived directions w/ the rubies?
thanks
B

 

[Fett 4 Real]

moleskin from any drugstore like walgreens near foot stuff like for blisters and stuff