activation email

[Sep Ho'ban]

I just make it all up as I go along -- if it fails, we'll try another thing

[Kurshi BeJahaal]

So it's like a slight "fuzzy" feeling?

Would wet sanding with a fine grit help with that at all Sep?

[Sep Ho'ban]

He said he's already tried it, so I don't know. There's a lot of trial and error, cause those hard hats aren't manufactured with the intent of someone painting them.

[Kurshi BeJahaal]

I missed that part. Oops!

hmm...

I'm also wondering if hitting it with some Primer/filler, then light sanding, Primer/filler, light sanding (and repeat as necessary) would help? I've encountered the "fuzzy plastic" issue and done that with some really, really fine grade sandpaper and it's seemed to work out decently for me.

[Ko'rizna Falco]

Thanks for the idea Kurshi! I will be stripping the whole helmet probably on Monday. I will try the lighter trick first and if that doesn't work then I will try the prime and sand method.

[Kall]

Really liking how this is coming along. Keep going Vod.

[Ko'rizna Falco]

Thanks Kall! I still feel like I've got a really long way to go but I appreciate the encouragement

[Ko'rizna Falco]

Alright well I knew this day was coming, I put it off almost a full week. I knew that I would be replacing the cheeks and I knew that I would be stripping the paint but it was really hard to actually do lol. But I've started and here is what I have in terms of photos.





I'm using nail polish remover to soften up and remove some of the paint and then using a metal scraper (razor blade) to remove the bulk of the paint. From what I read any real paint remover would be too strong and likely destroy the plastic underneath so it is a slow and steady process. I got half the dome done in about an hour.

[Ko'rizna Falco]

A little bit of an update here I have modeled some custom Ear carps that I hope to print, we'll see how that all goes. And then I have stripped the rest of my helmet back down to plastic so I can sand it properly,  redo the cheeks, and paint it properly.

The right ear has some knobs and inserts for "antenna" (I plan on using Bic pens I stole from work):









And the stripped helmet, not much to look at:

[Ko'rizna Falco]

Ha resurrecting to show some progress, winter did me in hard lol (yay for outdoor shop in cold weather).

I didn't get much done but I got things lined up and secured on the cheek in preparation of the big bend and complex curve.

[Ko'rizna Falco]

So I have been working on this single piece for over a year partially procrastination and partially because winter is the devil. But I think I am close to being ready to paint and prime but I have an issue and question about the inner face plate of the "cheek." Right now I have the plate of sintra mounted from behind leaving a bit of a drop off on the straight side, I have filled it and evened it out as best that I can but I'm still not 100% satisfied with it (but I also don't want to have to rip it apart if I can help it) so here are some pictures.

 Please advise on if this is acceptable or should I cut them out and replace them with something more flush to the outer plate?








At the suggestion of a clan mate (an app team member) I went out and added a coat of primer. Ah the wonder of a quick coat of primer lol. A few things become immediately obvious. the two sides do not match as well as I thought. I need the sharpen the edge lines they are too blended for my like. But I think that this will be ok with a little bit more work. I have so much filling to do lol I might need another bottle of the red stuff.

Please feel free to offer all the feedback







I have another update incoming shortly

[Kall]

Great progress Vod. Homemade helmets are a bugger, but you are doing great.

[Sep Ho'ban]

The way you have the cheek should be approvable.  Whether it meets your personal standards is your call

Scratch builds are fun!

[Ko'rizna Falco]

Haha yeah thanks guys those cheeks did not meet my approval. I redid them and they look much better now, though I don't have pictures at this time.

[Ko'rizna Falco]

Picture dump incoming! I got a lot  done.

I have primed my helmet and right now I have spot putty allover it drying, after that I need to figure out my ear pieces, I have several greeblies I've been saving and some sintra so we'll see where that goes.

the dark spots are battle damage, I plan on sanding away the primer after every coat to give the damage some more depth. I figure maybe two more solid coats to cover some pin holes and the such and I should be ready for painting.

anyway here's the pics: