Original 1977 ANH Stormtrooper Armor and Helmet

Another word of warning. You don't want to go anywhere near this with anything containing acetone or cellulose. But I'm sure you know that.

SiMan said:

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I know I can do this!

I did a lot of Graffiti when I was younger and I was quite good at that so I know spray paint pretty well but I wouldn't dare touching an original...

but no offense, that's just my opinion you're free to do anything with it, it's your helmet! Congratulations by the way for having such a great item! Damn, I'd have been a lucky kid owning a Stormtrooper armor in the 80ies :-)

(And I probably would have painted it as well LOL)

SiMan said:

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Currently the suit is being restored, its not something I'm going to go overboard with just a general clean up and possible removal of the black paint in places. I full intend to document this, and any advice you have on paint removal would be helpful

Once restored I'll decide what to do with it.

If anyone has any questions on the suit please feel free to ask!

Sorry for being so direct...
but have you been thinking about, doing a cast of this beauty.
I´m sure the trooper fans world wide, would love you for it

I understand if you can´t talk about it...
Cheers

i bet simon has made loads of new friends because of his costume

At least he didn't cop an attitude like this guy. Or is this Simon?

No thats not me! who is that anyway?
I won't be touch the helmet without a lot more research into the paints used on the original!!!

He's wearing knee boxes on his shoulders!

Hi Simon,

Is there enough of the red primer left on your helmet to get a colour match?

I would get the same colour but get a primer that will stick to HDPE most modern primers will. The primer appears to have been the problem with adhesion of paint on the original helmets.

For an easy way to test paints on HDPE use shampoo bottles as a tester before you touch your helmet. Just look on the bottom of bottle and where the recycling symbol is it should say HDPE under the symbol. Quick and easy tests.

Chris

Chris I think the primer you are suggesting is a polyester primer. This should stick to HDPE.
It wasn't the fault if the primer on the originals. There just was not the advanced plastic paints that there are these days.

The only problem with using this is that you will not have a true replica. The whole joy of the originals is that paint chips off. To me anyway.

sskunky said:

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Chris I think the primer you are suggesting is a polyester primer. This should stick to HDPE.
It wasn't the fault if the primer on the originals. There just was not the advanced plastic paints that there are these days.

The only problem with using this is that you will not have a true replica. The whole joy of the originals is that paint chips off. To me anyway.

But if you put a thin wax film in the areas where you want the chips to show under the primer then that should make the paint in easier to remove???

I really would not repaint the helmet. You have already made one costly mistake by removing the original paint, don't make another one. Just some friendly advice.

SiMan said:

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I know I can do this!

I sense a great disturbance in the force.....

sskunky said:

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The only problem with using this is that you will not have a true replica. The whole joy of the originals is that paint chips off. To me anyway.

Hi Mark,

The problem is that from the minute the paint was stripped any paint job after that event makes it a 'replica' paint job it can never go back to being original no matter how good a job is made of it.

You will never recreate the original paintjob if you try you are heading down the path of making an original more like a replica than an original - if you get my drift.

I think there are three ways you can go if painting the helmet.

1. Use the exact paints as used in 1976 and let nature take its course - ie paint it like the first day of filming and let it flake and chip naturally - which I don't think will add anything to the helmet or get you any closer to returning it to its former self.

2. Use modern primer and paint and replicate as best you can the original on screen look / look from Simon's pictures. If the helmet can be placed on screen or from still photography I would look to make it more like what it looked like on screen. By masking or using masking sprays the original look of the helmet could be attained with modern paints.

3. Go for a pristine first day on set look using modern paints but unlike the Joiner / Kurtz auction helmet get the detailing accurate and capture the real look of an original.

If Simon is restoring this for himself and keeping the trooper then I would go for option 2.

If Simon is looking to add value by restoring the trooper I don't think any restoration will add value. The fact the helmet comes with a really rare suit will get serious collectors paying the big bucks alone.

I strongly disagree with xenomorph about stripping the paint being a costly mistake if he means it on a financial level. I think such is the demand for original SW props it would still make great money.
If xenomorph means it on a historical level then I agree. It was a mistake but because of the nature of the original paint jobs it is a natural reaction of people to see the originals and instantly want to repaint them. Three screen used helmets so far have been stripped for the exact same reason. I get the feeling that this won't be the last helmet we will see that will have had the paint removed.

Oh and Simon i believe you can get loads of different types of masking fluids and sprays to do the paint chips and still use modern paints. The studio scale modelling section of the forum may help you greatly if want any advice on incredibly detailed paint techniques with modern paints. Those guys are pretty incredible when it comes to paint jobs.

Chris

SiMan said:

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Currently the suit is being restored, its not something I'm going to go overboard with just a general clean up and possible removal of the black paint in places. I full intend to document this, and any advice you have on paint removal would be helpful

Once restored I'll decide what to do with it.

If anyone has any questions on the suit please feel free to ask!

Do you know what kind of paint you used for the black?

I don't know if this will help but I painted a styrene helmet with a flexible plastic spray paint that I bought at Lowes, wasn't happy with the paint job so a year later I decided to try and strip it. Silly when I think back because it probably looked more like a real helmet with all the runs and stuff

I bought a product called "Klean Strip Prep All" wax and degreaser. If I remember right its safe for plastics. I would soak a rag, hold it on the paint for a bit to let it soak in and then start rubbing. It took some work but I was able to remove all the paint from the helmet with no damage to the plastic.

Don't know if that would work with paint that has dried for 30 years. It might depend on what paint was used as well.

As the helmets already stripped down and unasembled why not just make yourself an HDPE copy to paint up and display and keep the original as is in storage ?
I don't see restoring it as adding any value if you're looking to sell it later on and from a aesthetic standpoint a copy will be visually identical.

sskunky said:

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No disrespect to you Si but art college and restoring over a £100,000 worth of history are two entirely different things. It's called specialist work.
Are you doing this for yourself or to make it more attractive to sell? If it's the latter I would leave it as it is. Collectors that are going to throw that kind of money at it are not interested in amateur restoration, they are purists. I'm just telling you how it is. You will add no value and likely devalue it. Just my word of warning. I know how the guys think that want this. Trust me don't do it if you are trying to do this for their benefit.
Leave it alone........

Of course this is yours and you don't need to listen to a word I have said.

But what is being restored? It wasn't any better than an amateur paint finish when it was first completed. I think the biggest problem with professional restorations is that the paint finishes are often far superior to how they were originally done in terms of quality and brushwork. Better? Yes. Authentic? No. Here is the problem.

SiMan said:

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I know I can do this!

I say go for it... hopefully you didn't make it through six years of school without any talent. The way I see it... you probably have the ability to finish this helmet off better than it ever was.

But I wouldn't. Undoubtedly you are getting a lot of attention for this wonderful costume. I would imagine you would or could have access to as much of the nitty gritty details as you wanted. The ultimate challenge is to bring it back to what it was... an original condition resto. No perfect gloss white; because that is too easy.

Don't sweat it though. Ruined? No way. The most important aspect of the history of these costumes is the shape/form first and foremost.

Nighteyes said:

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But what is being restored? It wasn't any better than an amateur paint finish when it was first completed. I think the biggest problem with professional restorations is that the paint finishes are often far superior to how they were originally done in terms of quality and brushwork. Better? Yes. Authentic? No. Here is the problem.

Here lies the problem. If you look at any of my replica props you may understand what I'm trying to say. Most restorations look just that. "restorations". I don't put too much effort into the finish. That what makes them look screen used.
The point I'm trying to make is that Simon from what gather does want to sell this. Simon am I wrong?
I know of the collectors willing and wanting to buy this and I know they don't want anyone touching it. It will add nothing to the value.
I really don't see the point.
If you are going to sell it do just that. If you are doing the restoration for yourself then do it. But I fear that the restoration is because you think it will be more atractive to buyers. It won't.

I say go for it... hopefully you didn't make it through six years of school without any talent. The way I see it... you probably have the ability to finish this helmet off better than it ever was.

This is were you show the inexperience of what original prop collectors want.

But I wouldn't. Undoubtedly you are getting a lot of attention for this wonderful costume. I would imagine you would or could have access to as much of the nitty gritty details as you wanted. The ultimate challenge is to bring it back to what it was... an original condition resto. No perfect gloss white; because that is too easy.

Don't sweat it though. Ruined? No way. The most important aspect of the history of these costumes is the shape/form first and foremost.

Again Wrong.
Shape and form yes, but you are forgetting the little original details. Glue, rivets, elastic dirt and original screen damage.

Don't worry I'm all for the details and that was what I was referring to. I'd even want the rivets to be the same type of metal. Count the number and weave of elastic strands in the strap an all. Match the primer. Match the paint, all colors of the paint.

SiMan's got an original costume. That IS seriously cool. If I were him I'd probably feel pretty bad about taking the paint off of there. But heck I ruined plenty of things in my younger days. If I were him I would shed the guilt in exchange for a personal obligation to return it to how it was. All I was trying to pass along was my confidence in his ability to return this to its original condition while utilizing as many resources and data as possible.

The real question is what will you decide SiMan? You'd probably make more money selling the whole thing outright. Your in a unique position, and its quite an opportunity. If you are going to sell it anyway, at least get us some molds from the inside.

I didn't mean to sound condesending. Ishtar hate this prop to get more damage than it is already. I don't know Simon personally or know his ability at restoration. All I do know is that any potential buyer with that kind of cash to throw at a prop like this would want it as is. And any idea of recasting it would be out of the question. Any moulds would need to be destroyed upon sale.

sskunky said:

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I didn't mean to sound condesending. Ishtar hate this prop to get more damage than it is already. I don't know Simon personally or know his ability at restoration. All I do know is that any potential buyer with that kind of cash to throw at a prop like this would want it as is. And any idea of recasting it would be out of the question. Any moulds would need to be destroyed upon sale.

Why ?
Are you saying that the value of any of the existing known parts that have already been moulded has dropped or has made them unsaleable ?
Sorry don't buy that and the historical facts dont back that claim up, an original is an original and remains as such regardless of copies.

Are you telling me that if you were about to throw £100,000 + at a prop you would be ok with the seller casting and selling copies first.

I seriously doubt it.

I'm more concerned with preserving the original prop but I know if I were to buy it and known collectors that could afford to buy it would have the same opinion.

defstartrooper said:

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Sorry don't buy that and the historical facts dont back that claim up, an original is an original and remains as such regardless of copies.

Agreed 100% making copies of screen used props has never devalued the original.

Stormtrooper helmets have been copied in the past - the helmet TE copied, the SFS helmet digital scan, the Joiner / Kurtz helmet and a few ROTJ helmets.

None of these original helmets have went down in value since they were copied in fact their values have all went up dramatically from the date of being copied.

I understand some high end collectors might not want their items copied but that is just their preference not anything to do with losing value on the item.

I wouldn't hesitate in making copies of the helmet and armour BUT that is coming from somebody who collects prop replicas. I wouldn't worry too much about high end collectors demands I would be more worried about damaging the suit. The seller in these cases is in the driving seat as there is more than 1 high end collector out there wanting one of these.

Off the top of my head 50 suits and helmets made total. Between 5 and 10 ANH helmets are known to have turned up without suits.

By my count there are 12 full ANH suits and helmets known to still exist in the LFL archives and in the hands of private collectors. The ones in the archives will never be up for sale so the amount in private hands is half.

That is a very small amount left over from the original production so I would think the demand on one copied or not would still be massive.

I am sure Christies would bite off Simon's hand to get this suit as a flagship item in one of their auctions copied or not.

Chris

Whatever he does with it, I hope he will make detailed pictures of the internal strapping and all the rivets and components used - and then shares 'em with the community!

SiMan, have you ever put that armor on, and are there pics of you wearing it? And how did the codpiece break, or was it like that when you got it? BTW, how did you get it (haven't read about that as of now, or am I only blind)?

the internal strapping and all the rivets and components used

don't the archives pics that have already been posted show all that ?

What suit is that supposed to be? Shoulder straps are wrong along with a few other things. Never seen this pic before, whats the story on this pic?

clutch said:

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At least he didn't cop an attitude like this guy. Or is this Simon?