Brundlefly/Suckface Iron Man builder's thread

[cheviot]

Several of us will be working on putting together the Iron Man costumes Brundlefly and Suckface are working on. Given their threads are just about the sales process I thought we might want to have a thread to discuss the build process, pool knowledge and techniques for finishing and display.

 

[ROBOSTEVE 0671]

Great idea, I'll chime in with pictures once my helmet is painted. I've yet to try the paint that Suckface used in the UK but going off his feedback and pictures I'd say it was spot on. I believe he used the Candy Blood red (4 -5 coats) over a brilliant silver. Then finished off with a Matt clear coat, I'm going to be doing some tests as I still wanted a slight sheen so I may go with a halfway house use a Satin clear coat.

 

[cheviot]

I ordered my helmet pre-finished and my challenge is to match the quality of the paintwork on the rest of the suit to the helmet. No mean feat given I have no experience in this area.

Looks like I'll be putting in a lot of practice with a spray gun this spring.

 

[cheviot]

I'm just wondering... why has no one gone the seemingly obvious route with the face mask opening system?

Everyone I've seen attempt this uses a complex hinge system. Why not, instead, use the method designed into the helmet? There are two trenches on the top of the helmet right above the face plate on either side. These line up with the two bolts on the upper part of the faceplate. It seems obvious these were designed as a track to carry the faceplate up and over the top of the helmet. The trenches would just need to be extended under the faceplate, the shape and angle of that extension making the faceplate clamp closed as it slides down on the track.

Has someone tried this and I just missed it?

 

[Vegas Vader 2]

Im wondering when mine will arrive..

 

[Finhead]

I'm just wondering... why has no one gone the seemingly obvious route with the face mask opening system?

Everyone I've seen attempt this uses a complex hinge system. Why not, instead, use the method designed into the helmet? There are two trenches on the top of the helmet right above the face plate on either side. These line up with the two bolts on the upper part of the faceplate. It seems obvious these were designed as a track to carry the faceplate up and over the top of the helmet. The trenches would just need to be extended under the faceplate, the shape and angle of that extension making the faceplate clamp closed as it slides down on the track.

Has someone tried this and I just missed it?

Yes, you just missed it.