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[Sulkon88]

Really? I've usually seen give it a day to cure and then they do the bondo or they sand and primer and then bondo. My plan right now is to let it cure and then rime the inside just to add that extra layer and then probably sand and then spray again. Then tomorrow provided I get an hour or so of non windy aird dust time then it will be bondo time. I'm very excited.

[Sulkon88]

So many lessons. Next time no paper mache. Only structural material to use will be cardboard and cardstock if that. I'd be interested to see if I can manage just with cardstock next time. Anyhow onto the current project. After seeing so many people finally get to the sanding phase I must say that pictures do not convey the true work that goes into taking what looks like a construct of mud and then sanding it down to a fine smoothness. That process began today after I coated the inside of the helm with rustoleum and then started to bondo. Realized soon enough that the little dinky red accelerant they give you doesn't really finish off the can so ran to the store just about 2 hours ago to get some more. This project is awesome though and every day I get closer to the genuine article and then building my armor just makes me excited. Anyhow here are some pics. I realize that some parts of the helm are uneven and that's also part of the list for the MK III whenever I get around to that. For me I trust that once everything is sanded and painted I will truly love this helm or should I say buy'ce.

[FreemanBanana]

You've got your work cut out! Just remember, thin layers of bondo are your friend. You add one, sand it and add another. That way you slowly add to the shape. It also prevents major air pockets from popping up.

[Dha'senaar]

^990,262,937,294,739,917 times this.  Bondo can be a reaaaaaal sarlaac if you put too much on at once

[Sulkon88]

Going to have to get together a sanding tracklist haha. Anyhow plan right now is just to sand major rough spots down and then to the thinnest of bondo layering. I think I'm just going to do it piecemeal but we'll see. The nicest thing was just pulling on a my black mask and then putting on my helmet. It'll be a right fit but with some foam interior it will be comfortable. Tempted to order up the visor. But there is still so much to do.

[Sulkon88]

Due to issues with the structure and strength of the helmet along with some other things I'm now making the cardboard mold for the MK3 version of the helm. I also cut out some templates for the chest pieces so may post info on that. Kind of a sour mood when you look at your project and just realize that you can do things so much better with a new piece so we'll see how things go. Possibly might be able to salvage the main helm but right now it's looking like it's time to say goodbye and then start fresh.

[Ronin Tavic]

Sometimes a burnt bride gives the best light to our path.... good luck on the next helm

[Sulkon88]

Thanks. The new helm is already taking shape. Got the visor and cheek cuts done an spent the last few hours fighting with the dome. Really hate that step but I just found a good tutorial so might be able to hammer it out quickle in the morning.If all goes well and I can work out the designs for the cheek than I'll be able to at least do a resin layer before work.

[Sulkon88]

Should be updating either tonight or tomorrow with new pics of the new helm. The side got a bit warped but otherwise everything is looking good. I went through four or five of the dome template cuttings. I think after this helm I'll be just making a standard boba fett bucket. Saves on aggravation haha. I'm using the Mk2 as a template to try out paint schemes so might show some pics of that as well.

[Sulkon88]

[Sulkon88]

Working on the Mark IV after a mistake and some shaping issues on the Mark III. It's looking good. I've based it nearly directly off the standard template. Some modifications to the cheek areas from the original design but its looking good so far. Formed up the dome with some water/tacky glue mix and shredded bag paper and either tomorrow or tonight I'll lather it up in resin.

[Sulkon88]

Working on the Mark V now. The Mark IV was lost to the wind and the pool months ago and then I started on the Mark V. Just put some black paint on it for a primer and I'm hoping to try painting it. Or go back to sanding. Not sure how much more I want to dance with bondo of late haha.

[Sulkon88]

http://s293.photobucket.com/user/Smith8800/media/IMAG0805.jpg.html



















So much stuff. Anyhow short rundown. So finally got time to work with my friend to dremel out the visor. Then bondo started, then sanding, then more bondo, then sanding and then wanting to do some test shots cause of all the stuff coming out of comic con. Thinking the poncho I found at Warmart is great for the costume. But then back to sanding, back to bondo and then back to sanding and more bondo and then sanding and then test primer. The helm still needs a bit more fine tuning but as far as most of the heavy stuff I think I'm back on track. Just having to resist ordering the visor to glue into place till everything is ready.

[Sulkon88]

Just out of curiosity does anyone have an idea of the best way to paint on wheathering effects as far as what paints to use? Is it just acrylic paints or is there another preferred way?

[Sulkon88]

Getting more time today to work on the helmet. Put some bondo patches on some areas and then I'm hoping to cut out the 'V' on the right cheek plate and maybe make some lines that make it look a bit more starwarsy. But the main focus will be cutting out some of the inside so that it can fit comfortably >_<.