ANOVOS issues (ANOVOS ONLY discussion)

[JBReplicas]

That is easily one of the very worst I’ve seen, very sorry for you, and I hope they offer you something in the way of compensation.

 

[Pepperbone]

Agh! Angry, my stupid phone did not record the audio when I did the unboxing. But here are some pics in the mean time of the finger prints in my clear coat. They absolutely will not wipe off and I could see them still being there even after a polish.
View attachment 1305564View attachment 1305565View attachment 1305566View attachment 1305567View attachment 1305568View attachment 1305569
That last one is important, because the helmet as orange peeling also.
View attachment 1305581

Here is the video. Sorry for the mic crackle, my phone is now also on the fritz...lol
Definitely not a great day so far.

Sorry you're unhappy with it Hopefully Anovos will contact you.

I don't know about yours, but mine looked lighter in photos than in real life.
For those who haven't seen this in person, you might look at the video and think "it's not that dark" On video it doesn't seem like it, but in real life, mine was darker than expected - even outside in the bright sun.

I'm sorry to see to you have that same smudge on the jaw, but the finger prints on yours seem a bit more intense.

I really hope you find a way to resolve this.

 

[RSutter]

Thanks both! I've sent them an email, I doubt they'll do much. I have a feeling I am going to have to get it repainted. Would honestly not feel confident in sending this back only to then have to wait months again.


@pepperbone:Mine definitely appears lighter on my camera than in real life. It's strange, but the back of my helmet almost seems darker than the front. Like it was only half coated with the chrome/metallc paint - and you're just seeing much more of the black coat underneath.

It sucks, because I love the shape and the fit...but the finish on this thing...it's really bad.

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Like it was only half coated with the chrome/metallc paint - and you're just seeing much more of the black coat underneath.

That's actually how the originals are- sprayed (with Alumaluster, wich is a different paint to what Anovos uses) to 50% (or was it 75?) opacity. Some chrome paints (another is Alclad) need the reflectivity of a black gloss undercoat to shine through for the "chrome effect" to work.

Here's an original posted by either Favreau or Filoni on Twitter. My own copy is very close to this in tone.

Regarding the fingerprints: To me it looks more like the person doing the weathering was handling the helmet while doing the weathering. Looks like it's sitting on top of the clear coat, not embedded into it. Since I'm going to do my armor with real Alumaluster, I'm probably going ot have to repaint the Anovos helmet to match (even though the paint on mine is not too bad) so I tested some isopropyl alcohol on the weathering and it seemed to remove it without affecting the clear underneath. (Note: Try this at your own risk! I only tested a small spot! And do NOT use acetone. I used IPA/Isopropanol.)

 

[darthjones]

I'd have to say that on the videos here the helmet looks to be a good color. I know they did some kind of research in studying the color and this is coming from me - the LAST person to give Anogos any credit.

But the fingerprints. WAOW.......

And the weathering.... Questionable.

Having worked with such things I might risk a sanding with 1500 grit or so paper before a polish paste prior to Novus 2 or some other fine polish on the fingerprints. I have removed things like that before and it can work but I'd have to see it in person.

But this is risky if you haven't learned by ruining other things in the past, of course.

It looks better in your video here than you think but there are things we are not seeing, like you said.

Thanks for posting though. Very important. Will keep people who are on the fence from ordering anything from these jerks.

 

[JOATRASH FX]

OK, I just did another quick test removing weathering in a couple different spots. Isopropyl alcohol does not seem to affect the clear coat. I was able to remove it from several spots and the clear remained shiny. So as long as they haven't switched to another type of clear mid-production, it should work. Now, I'd still be a bit careful about dousing the thing in too much alcohol, because some paints are only resistant for a time, but for a quick clean is seems to work. (You can also try Ajax window cleaner, which I use to thin airbrush paints. It has IPA in it and is much more diluted.)

 

[ggriffaw]

I'm sure there are legitimate issues, but then the company in question should not be advertising that their in stock items are shipping within 5-10 business days. Which ANOVOS is still doing.

Yes, that is a different issue. I have only ordered in stock items a few times. The delivery was quick for my orders. I have no idea why there are long delays for some in stock orders and quick delivery for others.

 

[Mr Mold Maker]

I intend to try to get better comparison shots once I have the helmet finished, but for now here are some quick photos. This is the Anovos helmet and a Bobamaker I finished with Alumaluster under the exact same lighting conditions and camera settings.

I am not sure if the Anovos is fully stock and came with little weathering, or if the owner removed the weathering himself, but I’m mainly comparing vs the Alumaluster. The main difference you’ll see is the size of the flake. Anovos has a very large and visible flake. It gives it a speckled or “glittery” look. With the super thick clear coat and metal flake it reminds me more of a car’s paint job than a “metal” helmet.

Something to note is I intentionally bring the shine of my helmet up beyond what is, IMO, “Screen Accurate.” The reason for this is plain to see.. folks are getting the Anovos and EFX and claiming they’re “too dark.” What works for the show may not necessarily work in person or on your shelf. In that regard, I chose to idealize the finish.

I will be sure to update once I’ve repainted the Anovos. It will be in my next batch of helmets but unfortunately it will require a LOT of work beforehand to remove all the existing paint.

 

[ggriffaw]

Yeah, they get ZERO benefit due to the current circumstances. None. They would have if they were ever honest with us, but since they can't seem to ever do that, they don't get any excuses due to the current situation. The lie repeatedly and ad naseum, never give a straight answer, are allergic to the truth and don't give a crap about their customers. Coming up on 4 years on the FOTK and not a damned word. Just shuffle everything back another quarter, nothing to see here.

Remember? Damn near EVERYTHING was 'supposed' to have shipped by Q3 '19 with some in Q4. Then everything Q4, the 1, then 2 and now 3. Newsflash, only things getting moved from 2 to 3 are related to the current situation. The other 4 delays? And the 72 prior to that? That's why they get no cover due to the pandemic.

It's basically the boy who cried wolf. Lie repeatedly and when you tell the truth, no one will believe you.

Their estimates and updated estimates have been horrible for years. Status updates have been too few and lack specifics. That isn't new. However that doesn't mean they aren't experiencing the same out of the ordinary complications that the rest of the world is. Expecting a company that had trouble delivering before the global manufacturing issues to suddenly be able to deliver much more reliably during global manufacturing issues makes no sense. Yes, their estimates have proven to be wrong again. Nothing new about that.

 

[darthjones]

Nice work!!!
If ever you do a weathering job I’d love to see.

Their estimates and updated estimates have been horrible for years. Status updates have been too few and lack specifics. That isn't new. However that doesn't mean they aren't experiencing the same out of the ordinary complications that the rest of the world is. Expecting a company that had trouble delivering before the global manufacturing issues to suddenly be able to deliver much more reliably during global manufacturing issues makes no sense. Yes, their estimates have proven to be wrong again. Nothing new about that.

Have to agree with Cboath - no one expects Anovos to come through at any point regardless. It is purely their fault that we dont have expected product well prior to this pandemic and I couldn’t care less about whatever problems it causes this scam company.

People keep speaking as if Anovos has been “working” in some way and that this pandemic slows them down.

Are you kidding?!!

All we need now is for some joker to say, “we’re talking about people’s lives and you’re complaining about a silly costume?!”

Watch.

 

[ggriffaw]

I have serious doubts hardly any of the products would have been delivered based on the recent estimates before the pandemic. Adding the pandemic on top of their existing issues with delivery and estimates will not make them perform better. It's possible the pandemic didn't actually affect the delivery at all because they wouldn't have been delivered in that timeframe anyway. I don't understand why anyone would expect them to perform better during a pandemic for products that have had issues for years.

The estimates for the items produced in the Texas facility appear to be better. They have more direct control of what happens there.

 

[ggriffaw]

The Royal Guard helmet shows "Now Shipping" on the website. Hopefully the finish on these is more screen accurate than the Mando helmets.

 

[RSutter]

I will be sure to update once I’ve repainted the Anovos. It will be in my next batch of helmets but unfortunately it will require a LOT of work beforehand to remove all the existing paint.

I may end up going this route too, depending on what Anovos says. I have shared my findings with them and stated I was very displeased. But I am quite frankly scared of sending it back and then either waiting for months or not receiving anything at all. So I would actually be okay just getting a partial refund to put towards repainting at this stage.

I'd have to say that on the videos here the helmet looks to be a good color. I know they did some kind of research in studying the color and this is coming from me - the LAST person to give Anogos any credit.
But the fingerprints. WAOW.......
And the weathering.... Questionable.
Having worked with such things I might risk a sanding with 1500 grit or so paper before a polish paste prior to Novus 2 or some other fine polish on the fingerprints. I have removed things like that before and it can work but I'd have to see it in person.
But this is risky if you haven't learned by ruining other things in the past, of course.

It looks better in your video here than you think but there are things we are not seeing, like you said.

Thanks for posting though. Very important. Will keep people who are on the fence from ordering anything from these jerks.

darthjones The orange peel is also really killing it for me. Especially where it's on the flat surfaces of the mandibles.

OK, I just did another quick test removing weathering in a couple different spots. Isopropyl alcohol does not seem to affect the clear coat. I was able to remove it from several spots and the clear remained shiny. So as long as they haven't switched to another type of clear mid-production, it should work. Now, I'd still be a bit careful about dousing the thing in too much alcohol, because some paints are only resistant for a time, but for a quick clean is seems to work. (You can also try Ajax window cleaner, which I use to thin airbrush paints. It has IPA in it and is much more diluted.)

Will give that a shot on the hideous mark on the mandible. Thanks for the pointers!

Regarding the metal over black technique, I know how it works but I don't think I wrote it clearly. I meant that it seems that they have sprayed more of the chrome coating towards the front of the bucket than the back. So the back of the helmet is darker (more black) than the front (if that makes sense). Basically it was not evenly coated.

The finger prints actually seem to be under the clear. So they must have been generated when the last layer of paint went on.

 

[JetSetWilly]

“This The Mandalorian helmet is the first offering from our craftsmen at our brand new stateside manufacturing facility. Because we own the manufacturing facility we can implement a more artisan “hands-on" approach to the manufacturing process. This allows for careful oversight of each product’s production cycle to help ensure your expectations of accuracy and quality are faithfully met.”

Seems like they’ve really gone all out to ensure customers expectations of accuracy and quality are faithfully met.
Maybe the screen helmets had a half assed approach to their finish with fingerprints etc.?

 

[RSutter]

“This The Mandalorian helmet is the first offering from our craftsmen at our brand new stateside manufacturing facility. Because we own the manufacturing facility we can implement a more artisan “hands-on" approach to the manufacturing process. This allows for careful oversight of each product’s production cycle to help ensure your expectations of accuracy and quality are faithfully met.”

Seems like they’ve really gone all out to ensure customers expectations of accuracy and quality are faithfully met.
Maybe the screen helmets had a half assed approach to their finish with fingerprints etc.?

Haha. So true and sad...

Unless we all missed that scene where the Armorer took of her gloves and was eating potato chips when she was forging Din's helmet...lol

Just posted these to their Twitter

They also updated the ticket I submitted for my issue by not responding...

 

[RSutter]

Sorry for the double post.
Update:
Reached out to AMEX that I want at least a partial refund to get the helmet repainted. Since there is no way I am going to risk sending it back to ultimately maybe end up with nothing.

5 minutes after hanging up, Charlie from Anovos emailed me saying he is starting an investigation. He said he'd have more information soon.

Will keep you guys posted.

 

[Pepperbone]

That's awesome!! I'm glad you're not letting this go.
Not sure about the more information soon part. Perhaps in Q3

I was thinking about this whole mess and wondering if this is to be expected for all the upcoming merch we ordered years ago but never received. Are we to expect the General Merrick or Death Trooper Specialist helmets to have the same QC issues as the Mando helmet? If so, then what? The CC company certainly won't refund a purchase from 2017. And like you said, returning it means risking not getting anything back.

I think we've all been patient, but if this is what's to be expected for the rest of the stuff that hasn't been delivered yet, then that's additional salt on a thoroughly infected wound.

I'm going to hope that they were pressed for time with this current batch of Mando helmets and that the next batch - and other upcoming helmets - will be up to par with what they used to deliver. And hopefully that will allow you and the rest of us to get the quality we paid for.

 

[RSutter]

I wonder what would happen if everyone who ordered with AMEX filed a charge back claim at once. I'm sure that would hurt Anovos.

I hope your helmet is better pepperbone. I get sad looking at mine, knowing what it should have been.

 

[Pepperbone]

I wonder what would happen if everyone who ordered with AMEX filed a charge back claim at once. I'm sure that would hurt Anovos.

I hope your helmet is better pepperbone. I get sad looking at mine, knowing what it should have been.

I paid close attention to your video, and I'm sorry to say it's slightly more defective than mine. Especially the finger prints. Some of mine could be wiped off. It still annoys me, but not enough to go through the hassle of returning it. I'm also personally a bit more forgiving when it comes to quality. Like I said when I initially posted about it; I'm "okay" with it. If this were my first Anovos helmet; it would certainly be my last, especially at that price - and at least until it was proven that subsequent helmets were much better quality.

But as the photos and videos show, and as Mr Mold Maker commented, "What works for the show may not necessarily work in person or on your shelf." And that is correct, especially for surface properties like this one. A matte Shore Trooper helmet is one thing, but anything in the Silver/Stainless/Metallic spectrum - basically any surface that is influenced by what's being reflected around it - might seem off through our own eyes.

If it was only that then that it would be easier to accept. But if on top of that there are imprints and dings that clearly should not be there; then that adds to the dissatisfaction, and doesn't help Anovos' current reputation

 

[ggriffaw]

The Mando helmet has much more handling when finishing multiple layers of paint, clearcoat, and weathering than things like the x-wing helmets. I would think the issues come from working with the helmet before the previous step was fully cured. In the case of the Mando helmet, weathering was added which probably was done by people holding the helmet in their hands. Hopefully the Royal Guard helmet is less likely to have these issues.

I paid close attention to your video, and I'm sorry to say it's slightly more defective than mine. Especially the finger prints. Some of mine could be wiped off. It still annoys me, but not enough to go through the hassle of returning it. I'm also personally a bit more forgiving when it comes to quality. Like I said when I initially posted about it; I'm "okay" with it. If this were my first Anovos helmet; it would certainly be my last, especially at that price - and at least until it was proven that subsequent helmets were much better quality.

But as the photos and videos show, and as Mr Mold Maker commented, "What works for the show may not necessarily work in person or on your shelf." And that is correct, especially for surface properties like this one. A matte Shore Trooper helmet is one thing, but anything in the Silver/Stainless/Metallic spectrum - basically any surface that is influenced by what's being reflected around it - might seem off through our own eyes.

If it was only that then that it would be easier to accept. But if on top of that there are imprints and dings that clearly should not be there; then that adds to the dissatisfaction, and doesn't help Anovos' current reputation

It's funny you mention the Shore Trooper helmet as being more forgiving as far as finish. I feel the Anovos Shore Trooper helmet has the worst finish of all the Anovos helmets I have. The color is wrong. The weathering doesn't look right when compared to screen shots. The other Anovos Rogue One helmets look much better to me.