Trooper helmet advice

[JTKenobi]

Thank you KevVader and Troopermaster for the advice. Handpainting everything with a brush is the way I think I will go! Just have to find the right paints now.

I did see the tutorial Clutch did but it is a bummer that since the format of the RPF changed I can't see the pics. :cryI would really love to see a tuturial with detailed photos of the AP kit during the trimming/sanding process. I am a nervous wreck even doing the rough trimming! If anyone has any other AP tutorial resource ideas, please let me know! (sorry to get off-topic!!)

Thanks again,
John

 

[troopermaster]

Here's one mate http://http://whitearmor.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1194

 

[Clutch]

Thank you KevVader and Troopermaster for the advice. Handpainting everything with a brush is the way I think I will go! Just have to find the right paints now.

I did see the tutorial Clutch did but it is a bummer that since the format of the RPF changed I can't see the pics. :cryI would really love to see a tuturial with detailed photos of the AP kit during the trimming/sanding process. I am a nervous wreck even doing the rough trimming! If anyone has any other AP tutorial resource ideas, please let me know! (sorry to get off-topic!!)

Thanks again,
John

My tutorial was a hack anyway. Velcro straps on handguards? Blasphemy! :lol Plus my kit was pre-trimmed. A good method is to score the plastic with an exacto knife and then give it a good snap for a nice clean break.

I'll see about getting the images fixed.

 

[darthjones]

Which Humbrol Gray is the right gray?

Thanks!

 

[Chewcy]

I believe its AD no 5

Paul

 

[JTKenobi]

I was at Walmart today and saw tiny glass bottles of Tester's paint in the toy/model section. I saw grey enamel and then 2 kinds of black; flat black acrylic and glossy black enamel. Can someone confirm that these are the paints that are used and which of the blacks to buy. They were about a dollar a peice. Cheap! What's the difference between acrylic and enamel anyway?

 

[wannab]

I'm sure this will cause a debate but...

Both Humbrol blues are the wrong color, #15 is too dark (and wrong hue) and #48 (used by some on "sandys") is too light. I am still working on getting the right custom mix for the blue (for now I have vinyl stripes). When I get the color right I will paint the stripes.
My opinion is based on many pics of existing helmets, and the Humbrol blues are not even close.
I am aware of lighting and flash issues (colors seeming different) with pics but after comparing different pics under different conditions taken by different people, I think I have a pretty good handle on correct shade and brightness -- now I just need to start mixing. When I get it dialed in I'll let everyone know the PMS (pantone color match) number.

edit to add...

You need a PMS Color Guide (color swatch book) so you can compare the paint sample to the guide and the guide will have the number listed. If you go to the Pantone site you can order one, but they are expensive. They also have CMYK guides that will match colors for computer output -- very handy. One tip, if you don't want to buy the guide you can go to any printer that does offset printing and take your paint sample in and use their guide.

Doug

 

[wannab]

I was at Walmart today and saw tiny glass bottles of Tester's paint in the toy/model section. I saw grey enamel and then 2 kinds of black; flat black acrylic and glossy black enamel. Can someone confirm that these are the paints that are used and which of the blacks to buy. They were about a dollar a peice. Cheap! What's the difference between acrylic and enamel anyway?

Acrylic = Waterbased
Enamel = Oilbased

Paint quality, you get what you pay for -- model paints seem to be too thin and show brush strokes & thin areas more. I think they are better for use in airbrushes. If you want good quality enamel paints try lettering enamels -- paint the signpainters use (like me).

Doug

 

[FON]

Not all acrylic is waterbased.

With the Humbrol paints, make sure you stir the pots first. If the paint isn't mixed correctly, it will spread thin, and won't stick correctly.

 

[wannab]

All Acrylic paint is water-soluble unless it is a hybrid acrylic-enamel such as automotive acrylic-enamels.

As far as the testors & humbrols thickness even mixed well it still too thin for my tastes, as a matter of fact I mixed my own grey (One Shot Lettering enamel) to match the humbrol because I didn't like the lousy coverage I was getting.

Doug​

 

[yakcam]

May I suggest for trimming the frown that you go from the back with a grinder on a Dremel? It's what I noticed was done on some of my helmets....

You could probably use that method on the eyes too?

Cheers,

Kraig

 

[JTKenobi]

Ok Guys, I just got the following:

1) Testors 1138C Enamel Paint, gray
2) Testors 1147C Enamel Paint, gloss black
3) Testors 1111C Enamel Paint, dark blue

Are these good choices? Please let me know.

John

 

[GF]

Ok Guys, I just got the following:

1) Testors 1138C Enamel Paint, gray
2) Testors 1147C Enamel Paint, gloss black
3) Testors 1111C Enamel Paint, dark blue

Are these good choices? Please let me know.

John

I would go semi gloss or semi flat for the black color.
Another good tip is to trim eye sockets from the inside.

GFollano

 

[JTKenobi]

Thanks GF. I will have to look for a different black then I guess. Though if I use what I have, I can always remove it with paint thinner, right? Paint thinner can't damage ABS plastic, can it?

Also. I have heard about trimming the eye sockets from the inside. Can someone share the technique used? Do people just drill and then sand with a Dremel until they get to the edge? I am going to be a nervous wreck when I trim my eyes!!!!

 

[OldKen]

Thanks GF. I will have to look for a different black then I guess. Though if I use what I have, I can always remove it with paint thinner, right? Paint thinner can't damage ABS plastic, can it?

Also. I have heard about trimming the eye sockets from the inside. Can someone share the technique used? Do people just drill and then sand with a Dremel until they get to the edge? I am going to be a nervous wreck when I trim my eyes!!!!

What I did on mine is dremeled it till it was about a 1/4 inch from where I wanted it then hand sanded, stepped back looked hand sanded so on and so fourth. And I still didnt get as much out as most untill everyone kept saying... keep going! LOL! I was tooooo carefull but hey taking off to little you can fix... taking off too much... thats something else!

 

[GF]

Thanks GF. I will have to look for a different black then I guess. Though if I use what I have, I can always remove it with paint thinner, right? Paint thinner can't damage ABS plastic, can it?

Also. I have heard about trimming the eye sockets from the inside. Can someone share the technique used? Do people just drill and then sand with a Dremel until they get to the edge? I am going to be a nervous wreck when I trim my eyes!!!!

Yes you can remove with thinner on ABS no problem, but I suggest you decide which paint you want use as it may take a little time to remove once paint dries. Trim directly with a dremel cutting disc from inside all around eye then sand excess.

GFollano

 

[Too Much Garlic]

I would go semi gloss or semi flat for the black color.
Another good tip is to trim eye sockets from the inside.

I would go for the gloss black. All pictures I have seen has the gloss black sheen when brushed on... and I used the Testors gloss black on mine and the result matched the reference pictures I have. I wouldn't go duller.

And regarding a way to remove paint. Paint thinner damages the shine of the ABS - use break fluid instead as it only removes the paint but don't affect the surface of the plastic.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Clutch]

Fixed most of the pics in the archive.
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=1069

 

[JTKenobi]

Fixed most of the pics in the archive.
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=1069

Thanks to all you guys. This forum rocks. I really appreciate how helpful people are here.

John

 

[JTKenobi]

Thanks to all you guys. This forum rocks. I really appreciate how helpful people are here.

John

OK, last night I painted the forehead trapezoids above the trim with the gray enamel Testors model paint and it's totally glossy. This doesn't look right to me when I compare to the buckets on starwarshelmets.com. Anyone have any ideas why? I thought that this was an ok paint to use. Color looks good, but very glossy. Does the glossiness go away if allowed more drying time? It has dried for 8 hrs and is very glossy.