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[Vercopaanir]

Today I jumped into the world of epoxy resin.  I think I like it so far.  I picked one that has a very forgiving 40 minute work time.  For me, that was not a problem.  If you're already experienced with this stuff then go with what you like.  I cut up some strips of fiberglass cloth, mixed my epoxy resin according to the instructions on the bottle, and applied it to the inside cheeks of both helmets.  I also added it to the inside of the dome of the second helmet.  Hot glue (even the high temp stuff is iffy) will not hold up to the heat here in FL in the middle of summer, so a bit of preventive maintenance now to avoid a disaster later.  I put the first layer on and waited the six hour cure time that my epoxy/resin required before I added my second layer.  It is now curing in the garage.  I'll have some pictures of the finished product tomorrow.

[Vercopaanir]

So here are the newly epoxy resined insides of my buckets.




I had a small accident with the one bucket right before I put the epoxy resin on.  I ended up taping it into the correct shape for the resin to cure.  Then I set about fixing it with bondo.  Almost back to workable.

[Vercopaanir]

I realized that I hadn't posted my progress on this in a while, so, here's where I am at.
I got the three layers of primer and sanding done (500, 800, 1,000 grit sand paper) then I got my silver coat on both helmets.



Then I put on my light grey base paint. Taped and put the on white layer, changed the tape and added the black highlights (or lowlights?) to one of the buckets.  Because the two are different designs, the paint on the pair will be different.







Then I give a black then a brown wash to the one helmet.  The other is still sitting taped waiting for the black.







The next full day I have off I think I will try and insert my visor. 

[The Bearded Mando]

love the paint scheme. Well done 

[Vercopaanir]

Update:  Finished painting the second helmet. Lots of painters tape and chalk to mark the lines where I wanted them.  Again I used toothpaste as a masking fluid to give my helmet the chipped paint look. 



I added some gold accents with an acrylic paint to both helmets.  I also did both brown and black washes for weathering.




I used Chicago screw posts as the method to hold the visor in place.



Then I made a paper template of the locations of the posts and the shape of the visor.  I made multiple paper templated until I was satisfied with the fit without any manipulation of the paper.  Then I traced it onto the painters tape I had put over the plastic protecting the clear visor material.  Then I cut it out using tin snips.  I sanded the edges to smooth them and make sure I wouldn't accidentally cut myself.  Then I put a tinted vinyl over the clear visor.  I had a gold one that I think came out pretty good.  I need to rework the application as I got some air bubbles but that is just practice until I get it right.



I still need to line them so that they fit more comfortably and maybe figure out how to add a fan.

[Bowfanny]

Great job on two scratchbuilds!! I’m feeling slightly nostalgic!

[Vercopaanir]

Great job on two scratchbuilds!! I’m feeling slightly nostalgic!

Thanks you Bowfanny.  I may be addicted I am already planning another one.  First I am going to finish the two I already made.

So I got both visors reinstalled to removed the bubbles in the film.  I used a clear guard with a colored film to get my desired finish.



And the outside



And I got the padding into one of them.



I used a combination of permanently mounted foam and velcro foam pieces.  I put the hook side on the foam itself that way I don't always have to have all the pieces in the helmet if I decided to do my hair up under the bucket instead of down in a braid. 

All that is left for the one bucket is fans!

[Vercopaanir]

I finally made time to add the fans to one of the buckets.  Fans fit no problem...the battery to power them not so much.  I'll either have to find a smaller power pack...wear a cord down my back to the power pack in a pouch...or make a bigger helmet.  I could use the first one...the hard hat...it is a bit bigger, I just don't like the way it turned out as much.  I also got approved in the second bucket so there is also that issue.

[Bowfanny]

I’ve always considered my approval helmet my actual face of my character because no matter what other helmet I use that’s the one I come back to in one form or another!

[Vercopaanir]

I’ve always considered my approval helmet my actual face of my character because no matter what other helmet I use that’s the one I come back to in one form or another!

Yes!! Bowfanny That is my hold up. 

 

This is my face. But I also want it to be comfortable when it gets toasty. Sigh. Guess I am going cord down the back. Good news is the battery pack fits easily into the pouches I made and I can hide the cord under my bandolier and cape that I am adding to my kit.

[Bowfanny]

Yes!! Bowfanny That is my hold up. 

 

This is my face. But I also want it to be comfortable when it gets toasty. Sigh. Guess I am going cord down the back. Good news is the battery pack fits easily into the pouches I made and I can hide the cord under my bandolier and cape that I am adding to my kit.

I’m honestly considering creating a fan system that fits inside a chest box similar to how the Pilots wear theirs. I wear a hepa filter fan system at work that is super quiet that I am able to get replacement hoses for for around $10 each that would be easy enough to attach to my helmet with a 3d part. Plus the fan system can actually be greeblied up and attached to a helmet (potentially) and look in universe!

[Vercopaanir]

I’m honestly considering creating a fan system that fits inside a chest box similar to how the Pilots wear theirs. I wear a hepa filter fan system at work that is super quiet that I am able to get replacement hoses for for around $10 each that would be easy enough to attach to my helmet with a 3d part. Plus the fan system can actually be greeblied up and attached to a helmet (potentially) and look in universe!

Sounds interesting. If you do it let me know how it works. Might be interested in a rig like that.

[Bowfanny]

Sounds interesting. If you do it let me know how it works. Might be interested in a rig like that.

I have a set of Henry’s helmwt fans I’m gonna make a box for that houses the filters and basically recreate the system I have because after my last post I decided I liked the idea enough that I bought a couple spare hoses and the helmet fans can easily be mounted with a rechargeable usb cell phone battery charger and used for a couple hours. If I plan out the battery system well enough all I’d need to do would be to make a cable changeable to switch to another battery lol

[Vercopaanir]

So I finally got to do another troop in my bucket.  The cord down the back works but I have to detach it every time I take my bucket off.  So Not a good long term solution.  Going to have to keep looking for a better way.  Oh and here's some pictures from the troop.

[Vercopaanir]

I found a battery pack that fits into my bucket!!! No more cord!  I still need to give it a permanent mount (tape worked for the con but not a good long term solution).