C3PO head: chrome or paint?...

[darthwhitey]

hey all,

i was wondering what most people do with their 3PO heads: chrome or paint?

i am in the market for an accurate 3PO head (with light up eyes) to be used for display...

i have spoken to Zorg and Moncal about the heads..i also talked to TK409 about what he did

this is a great resource...

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/bingo275/chroming_project.htm

it seems like the chroming process gives you the shiny reflective look, but is prone to occasional surface blemishs...??

i seem to have read somewhere that the best paint for this is sold only in the UK?...

initially, my thought is that i would be willing to give up a bit of the reflective look for a more even coverage that may only be accomplished with paint?...

i read through the chroming archive on this site, but i wanted to get feedback specifically from 3PO owners on this topic

thanks

brad

 

[gonk27]

If it's an authentic screen used look you want, then vac-plating's really the only way to go, in my opinion.




Jeremy

 

[zorg]

heres one done with that spray paint

 

[Star Wars Helmets]

Brad, thats my site, www.StarWarsHelmets.com.

Like Jeremy's said, Chrome is the only way to go and that probably means vac metallising if you want a real "throne room" finish

I've heard of that spray you alluded to but have never seen it in person

Vac Metalising's a hassle but the results are worth it

Cheers

Jez

Edit - Zorg just seen your pic - Excellent man. ookes like youve cracked the Tattooine finish.

 

[zorg]

<div class='quotetop'>(BingoBongo275 @ Aug 17 2006, 05:04 PM) [snapback]1302326[/snapback]</div>

Edit - Zorg just seen your pic - Excellent man. ookes like youve cracked the Tattooine finish.
[/b]

thanks jez, i used matt varnish, brown bess and matt+satin black over the plasticote paint. it seems to give a pleasing effect.

z

 

[darthwhitey]

thanks guys

ZORG, that painted finish actually looks awesome...IMHO, i think the Tattooine look can be just as cool as the throne room look

so is that painted look something an average geek can pull off?... :$

i think i could be pretty happy with that painted look, i am still just a bit concerned with shipping a head off to get VM'd and it coming back with less that stellar results

i used matt varnish, brown bess and matt+satin black over the plasticote paint

where can i find the proper paint?

JEZ, i know reading on your site you and some pals have sent some stuff to be VM'd...have you been pleased overall?....have you found anyone here in the states that does a nice clean finish?

i spoke to STEVE THE SWEDE and he was very happy with his VM'd head...and from the pics ive seen it turned out great

thanks again

brad

 

[Clutch]

what is brown bess? a paint?

 

[Star Wars Helmets]

<div class='quotetop'>(darthwhitey @ Aug 17 2006, 05:38 PM) [snapback]1302387[/snapback]</div>

thanks guys

..........
JEZ, i know reading on your site you and some pals have sent some stuff to be VM'd...have you been pleased overall?....have you found anyone here in the states that does a nice clean finish?

i spoke to STEVE THE SWEDE and he was very happy with his VM'd head...and from the pics ive seen it turned out great

thanks again

brad
[/b]

Brad, Vac metallising is ok to do, its just about preparation really, which is a bit of a chore. Basically you need to apply a thick coat of primer and then sand it down till its like glass.

Ive had a raw 3po chest sitting in my room for about 9 months - i just need to put some time aside to get it prepped and then i'll take it to the vm factory. I'm sure there'll be one within 100 miles of you - check your yellow pages

Cheers and good luck

Jez

 

[RoCKo]

vac-metallizing definatly is the way to go.

BUT:

vac-metallizing is very exspensive and so the spraypaint is a cheap alternative and if you´re going for a weathered look a good looking too.
i used the spraypaint on my 3po and it looks like this:

the spraypaint is called Plasti-kote Projekt paint, brilliant metallic gold, u5408 160

the main problem is that this paint isn´t available in the US.
shipping to the US from europe or england is possible but actually illegal because of the spraycans. :booty

 

[gonk27]

Beautiful paint jobs Zorg and Rocko.


As far as plating goes, yes it's nice to get a perfect smooth finish, but if you look at 3PO and some of the other plated droid suits in the Chronicles book their surfaces aren't all that great in places. The odd blemish here and there possibly adds to the effect (if that's what you're after of course).



Jeremy

 

[SWFreak]

Check this out: Alsa Corp.

Buy a can of chrome, one of gold clear and you're set.

 

[zorg]

<div class='quotetop'>(clutch @ Aug 17 2006, 07:49 PM) [snapback]1302444[/snapback]</div>

what is brown bess? a paint?
[/b]

brown bess is a colour, it was the same colour as the aliens movie pulse rifles were painted

 

[darthwhitey]

SWfreak,

very cool...thanks

have you tried this?

it looks like under their Killer Cans "Crazer" line they have a gold...i couldnt find the "gold clear" you mentioned

might be worth a test can on something else first...i will call them and keep you posted

thanks

 

[Aegis159]

Alsa is a good paint, although I can't say I've tried their new spraycans... definitely have several projects that i'll try it out on from the can....

one thing that they don't talk about I noticed about their spreaycan paints is the overcoat you're supposed to put on their chrome.... might have to call them and ask about it.... At any rate, once you get the chrome down, you could use their clear gold, or even airbrush tamiya's clear yellow over it to get the desired effect....

 

[SWFreak]

<div class='quotetop'>(darthwhitey @ Aug 18 2006, 10:52 AM) [snapback]1302980[/snapback]</div>

SWfreak,

very cool...thanks

have you tried this?

it looks like under their Killer Cans "Crazer" line they have a gold...i couldnt find the "gold clear" you mentioned

might be worth a test can on something else first...i will call them and keep you posted

thanks
[/b]

I haven't used it....yet. Some day I'm planing on a project that I'll need it for.

I would'nt use the "Crazer" it has the wrong finish.

You need the "Killer Chrome" and "Candy Concentrates: True Gold"

 

[darthwhitey]

SWFREAK,

i spoke to the guy at Also Corp...sounds like your right on...

he also recommended using the Speed Clear first...

this is what he said to do...


1) Speed Clear ($40)

this is to be used on as smooth a surface as possible, so i guess you should prepare the helmet like you would for a VM job...primered and sanded glass smooth...he mentioned something about the surface being effected by solvents so i guess this helps clean it up...??

2) Killer Chrome ($40)

3) Candy Concentrates True Gold ($30)


i would love to see the results...if you had a whole suit to do it may prove to be a cheaper overall alternative to a full VM job...??

might not be as cost effective to do just one helmet?

 

[darthwhitey]

AEGIS159,

whats an "overcoat"...


also, i forgot to add that the guy at Alsa said that their chrome finish "gives you a 90% reflective surface"

 

[ob1al]

zoojerseyborn you just posted the same thing on THIS thread.

This post is from 2006 LOL.

 

[G17RDY]

Yeah, post count 4, every post the same thing on C3PO Threads, keep it to one thread dude, you're coming off like a troll!