Neo-Crusader Build

[lunarlord]

Hey Everyone I'm trying to be the first Neo-Crusader Mando to join the 501st so please feel free to be harsh on the build so for now enjoy the build. lol I know the armor is crooked on me but it was temp. held on with blue painters tape
I'm also a member of the following sites under the same name:http://www.ohio501st.com/ http://405th.com/ http://clone-empire.com/forums/index.php?&CODE=01 http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php? http://forum.clonetroopers.net/index.php?http://forum.clonetroopers.net/ http://mercs.firespray.net/forum/index.php

 

[lunarlord]

Ref. Pics (I'm making the gold one they're highest rank according to wookiepedia)

 

[Muad Dib]

Looks pretty good so far and I think it only looks crooked because you're standing all JC Penny catalogue model. LOL!

 

[lunarlord]

haha thaanks lmao

 

[lunarlord]

Update I have the fore arms pep'd and the thighs pep'd the left forearms i 1 coat of FG and the right thigh has 1 coat and right now i am pep-ing the lower legs then all i have left to pep is the back piece

 

[lunarlord]

Here is a small update I have the right thigh outside finished FG i need to do the inside of it same with the left forearm, the left thigh need 1 more coat on the outside and inside, the right forearm and left shin both need FG havent done ne with them yet.
So thats todays update.

 

[NovallTalon]

Looks great man. Have you seen Makris Brik's Neo helmet thread over on Mercs? He's got some great ideas about the helmet that might be worth checking out if you want one that will actually be able to move.

 

[lunarlord]

Ya i seens those im on that site under the same name im in the neo crusader pepakura files and i seen his thread and it was pretty cool

 

[lunarlord]

Update:
I got more FG I'm added another layer to 2 piece, fixed 4piece that cracked cuz they fell -_- when i moved them, and 1 piece has its first layer

pics later

 

[lunarlord]

New Pics !!!
The chest plate is now more curved for better fit:

Helmet bondo'd (first time needs finished and smoothed) trying to get it more rounded like in the ref. pics:

Armor that is FG still need to FG back and 1 shin and pep 1 shin(sorry for low lighting):

 

[J3T]

looks good man

 

[lunarlord]

Helmet update criticism??? i want to make it as accurate as possible :

A dare i saw "inside look" :

 

[Muad Dib]

Looks good to me but I don't know much about these guys.
Smooth that sucker out a bit and hold it into a mirror. That will allow you to see any warping or proportional issues.

 

[lunarlord]

Looks good to me but I don't know much about these guys.
Smooth that sucker out a bit and hold it into a mirror. That will allow you to see any warping or proportional issues.

ya im not going to be doing the smoothing until i get the rest of it bondo's lol

 

[lunarlord]

Helmet update:

How would i fix these?? more bondo more sanding or both??:

Chest plate:

 

[Ogait Nas]

Looks great! Bondoing and sanding are the most boring part of the process but don't give up! That can turn into a gorgeous costume

 

[lunarlord]

i know its taking for ever lol

 

[Nachtinis]

What might make your sanding time go quicker:
Use a Mouse sander, before i used one i hand sanded and used a square power sander, the mouse makes it so much quicker and you can change papers very quickly.

Dont over-bondo, just fill in where you might want to close gaps or smooth a curve, sand just to the surface of your curves, and go in bursts.
Sand in LAYERS, what i mean is sand a bit on the base layer, look at the curves, use a grinder, dremel sanding drum or elbo with a power sander to get the overall lumps out. then use glazing putty or soem other smoother flowing filler that you dont hav eto worry about it setting like bondo does. Apply that in a thin layer, let dry (about 30 min for the bondo brand) and sand that layer. Add more glazing putty, sand, repeat until you get the surface you really want.

The layered sanding teqnique really saved me some sweat and frustration with my work.

After your peice is sanded nice, use filling primer, and sand that twice, then use a final coat of primer.

Final part for a REALLY smooth surface, steel wool (0000 grade) with pressbutton finger pressure until the primer gets a semi-gloss finish to it, and you will be ready for some really smooth painting.

 

[Tankboy]

you also might want to try rondo... makes life easier. I'm suprised the neck/hood seal thing works as a hard piece. If I was ever going to do a neo-crusader (sometime in the future...) I though of using the pep to cast the neck out of latex. That gives you movement in there. But it's looking very good! Looking forward to more!

 

[lunarlord]

Updates:

Had to carve off this side to make it more symmetrical:

Less bumpy yay!: