Good grief, this update is overdue.
Had an armor party, went to Rod Con, went to a very small July 4th event, and went to Des Moines Con!
Helmet first:
Fill, sand, primer, fill, you know the drill... Wasn't as bad as I was expecting, but I still don't love finishing prints. Too bad, cause I have a whole pile waiting lol
First layer of silver, yes I did do a little more filling and sanding and priming and then did a second layer of silver. Just forget to get pictures of that.
Toothpaste masking and first layer of greens and brown!
Salt it like you're trying to salt cure a ham.
Color comparison. The difference is actually due to blackwash, I did pretty much have the color mix right even though the backplate looks extremely brown. Went on to a second layer of green and brown with salt and hairspray.
Those detail shots though..
Accent color (with yet more salt)
Pre and post blackwash! It turned out just a bit darker than I really meant, but the color looks right in pictures, and its not off enough to make me repaint it. Just was a little more heavy-handed with the blackwash than I should have been.
The pads and visor in the helmet are currently just hot glued in. I will be fiberglassing the inside, installing a green reflective visor with light if I can find a good active vendor, and better pads. But she was wearable for May 4th and DSMC!
Man, DSMC was incredible. This is actually the biggest group of kitted up mandos I've ever gotten to troop with, and it was so awesome! As you can see, I did fix the sleeve issue, lol.
Query is in with the app team about my short sleeves and to confirm my plate spacing is good to go. Going to be trying to knock a few more things off my list before June 4th, when I'm going to Joliet Illinois to meet the mandos there! Super excited! If I'm really lucky, maybe just maybe I can be at pre-app by then... But probably not.
New list:
Helmet: Finish clear coat and interior. Technically wearable, could app as is.
Flak vest: Sew in magnets after I have confirmation my spacing is good.
Plates: Done!
Gauntlets: Add LEDs. Technically ready for app.
Flight suit: Done!
Thigh bags: Finish the straps, give the leather bit some shape, weather.
Girth belt: Done!
Utility belt: Holsters for the WESTARs and flashlight vibro. See if I can mount the verpine.
Kama: Done!
Boots: Finish stripping off the reflective edging, decided I didn't want that.
Gloves: Done!
Weapons: Finish up verpine- need to reinstall barrel and add greebs and make it some magazines. Need to clean my two WESTAR prints. Finish up flashlight vibro. Kal daggers with bandolier finished.
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You all look amazing!