I painted some plates.
First, front body. I committed to the self-clinching studs and eyelets, documented in my
Soft Parts WIP

self-etching primer, and some sanding and scuffing to expose the metal.

first liquid mask

Base color ( I messed up! I put down midnight blue for my first dry coat but when I checked, my cod and butt plates just used flat black...so the second coat in this layer was flat black. it works) and beginning second masking.

Top color - Rustoleum's Ink Blue

Peeling my masking layers, and getting artful with a scotchbrite, x-acto, steel wool, awl, etc. to tone down the sheen, blend the edges of the layers, and make sure that all the masking is pulled off.

on the vest

Iron heart is not mounted - I've made a nice new shiny one to put in,

But I also made one that matches the paint and weathering scheme, which I subsequently beat mercilessly to put on a cord to carry with me.
-STORY MODE- the damage in the center chest was focused on the iron heart, which was damaged beyond use but kept me alive. Rather than melting it down and remaking it, I kept it as a reminder to be cautious and made an entirely new one. -END STORY MODE-
I'll need to get down and dirty with dark washes and carbon scoring there to tell the story and contrast the shiny "new" piece.



Oh and I did thebackplate too:



I'm not weathering the back with as much violence - mostly looking to have the look of wear at the edges and scuffs from the cockpit seat, or leaning on bulkheads looking cool, and adding some wear around the raised panel edges and jetpack slots (eventully looking to make that upgrade). Good sensors and a friendly sniper keep you from getting shot in the back.


on the vest for checking.

With that, I think the base painting and weathering is on all my current armor pieces.
I still need to get knee plates padded and mounted, instep and shin plates padded and finish strapping. And finish up soft kit, including a belt or sash to hold my cod and butt plates.