Rubies before and after...

[Zarek Vor]

Nope... No progress pics... I didn't think anyone would be interested in seeing them. There was no real modding done to it besides the shaping. All I did was sand off the Rubies logo, wet-sand the old paint, and reform it with a blow drier.

The only tip that I can give for anyone else that wants to do one is to over form it when you reshape it. I mean REALLY over form it... The opening should look like a skinny football. Toss it in the freezer to cool, then take it out and as you handle it to cut the visor out, it'll work itself into the shape that you see in the pic. Since it was over formed, it won't go all the way back to its original shape... It also won't need a craft ring.

Hey, if this is a naive question, be patient with me. It's my first post. And besides, I'm just starting Mando costuming.

Devilstar2k2...When you did the overforming, did you compress it from front to back? My wife is probably going to use a Rubies we bought, as it's the perfect size for her. It doesn't really seem to need a lot of shaping, but as I said, I'm new to this, so I'd like to know if I end up having to deal with a problem. Thanks.

 

[Devilstar2k2]

Yeah, front to back, with the opening shaped like a narrow football. I didn't cut the visor out until I was just about ready to paint. It was still in during the shaping. Also, for the most part, I didnt touch the dome at all, it was the bottom half of the helmet that got the squeeze.

 

[Zarek Vor]

Thanks. I was pretty sure, but it never hurts to make certain. And yeah, I was planning on leaving the visor in until all shaping and painting are done, and then do the touch up painting. I've read enough threads while lurking to know about that. Now I've just got to find out about proper paints and filler for that vinyl. Thanks again.

 

[Devilstar2k2]

Probably a better idea to cut it out right before you do the primer... Just my opinion though.

 

[Zarek Vor]

I guess I should have been a bit more specific. Duh! I plan on cutting most of the visor out before painting, leaving just enough to hold the mandibles in place. Despite the forming success you had and the overall good shape of the Rubies we bought, I'm still leary of having no visor at all while painting. I've never worked with vinyl before, and I'm not really looking forward to it. I appreciate the advice, though.

 

[webchief]

Very nice paint job there! Way to go!

 

[Nihkoute]

I simply hate photobucket i so wanted to see the reworked rubies ... i got a rubies myself and on the edge to freak out. How to keep this thing in shape? Because it's made of vinyl, what colors should i use, that can take a little bending from time to time?