Finishing an X-Wing helmet - Painting vs Decals?

[M Bison]

So I have a X-Wing helmet here (origins unknown, but it is a very nice kit) and I was wondering what people think is the best way to finish one. Do you prefer paining or decals.

I would like to know the pros and cons.

Also, if anyone knows anyone who can paint a helmet, let me know as my painting abilities leave a lot to be desired. I'm also looking for a source for decals since I am not sure which route I plan to take at the moment.

Cost is a factor as I want to have this done for Halloween and my budget is VERY tight.

 

[bleyd]

Definately go with paint. Takes a little longer to do but a much better end results. Plenty of referance pix out there to make stencils. Best part is if you scratch the paint it'll only look better. Scratch a decal it'll start peeling up then ya gotta replace it. It's why I painted my trooper bucket instead of using the decal kit.

 

[maboot38]

Wow, perfect thread for me, as I just got a helmet started, and am planning on painting it myself as well. I plan on using a combination of paint and stickers. Anxious to hear input from those who have already done one, or similar helmets.

 

[maboot38]

The thing that most concerns me, or more appropriately the biggest thing I'd like to learn, is now to make the helmet seem "battle worn" or whatever those slightly burned markes are that I've seen on Richie's Armor paint jobs.

For example, this one from Richie's:

I'd like to know how to do that. Using that image, I've come up with this rough idea for my own paint scheme.

It has the rought idea of the hero helmet, while incorporating elements of the generic pilot helmet "blue bird image".

I may go with a combination of paint and decals, but would really love it if one of the amazing experts on this forum were to give a painting noob some tips on how to get weathering like that. Maybe Richie himself has some pointers?

 

[Darth Lars]

Pinstriping tape from a RC model store. What they used on the original helmet. Much easier to apply than painting pinstripes by hand.

 

[maboot38]

I'm also looking for a source for decals since I am not sure which route I plan to take at the moment.

I know that a guy named Mark or "Jedi Mickey" has the decals available, and I know that Richie's Armor sells them for $15/set + s/h.

 

[maboot38]

Pinstriping tape from a RC model store. What they used on the original helmet. Much easier to apply than painting pinstripes by hand.

Lars, are you talking about the black striping that trims areas of the helmet, or are you referring to all paint areas?

 

[Funky]

I can't speak for Richie, but I know how Steve and I do them. The eagle, the mark v's and the ear cup detail are all decals. Everything is is hand painted. Electrical tape is used quite a bit in masking as it's flexible enough to make those long curves and it is perfect against anti-bleeding. Once all the painting is done and the decals are applied, I give it a light spraying of tan, primer grey and flat black. Then I use two different fine grades of sandpaper and sand the whole thing, ending in wet sanding.
How "weathered" you want it is up to you. I personally prefer heavy weathering ala ESB where I'm pretty sure Steve prefers them a little cleaner like the picture shown. As far as the decals peeling, the ones RA offers with their kits are pretty darned durable. I've actually taken the color off the decal before the decal comes up, just be sure you use FINE grit sandpaper.

 

[maboot38]

Man Funky, That's GREAT stuff!

When you say "I give it a light spraying of tan, primer grey and flat black.", do you mean that with a can of each, you hold first the can of tan a few feed away and "dust it" to get small flecks of paint on it, then repeat with grey, and then with black? Do you do this using rattle cans, or do you use an airbrush?

Also, when you sand with the fine grades of sandpaper, do you sand over the decals?

 

[jonny5]

For the smokey black battle worn areas you ideally want an airbrush.

I don't use one so i can comment any further on that, however...

You can get away with light coats of a candy black color called Niteshades (I found it on eBay motors) or Duplicolor Metalcast MC-206 Smoke. Sprayed at an angle from a distance the effect is close enough to airbrushing.

Lastly, you could use the old sprue benders candle trick to put actual soot from a candle onto the plastic by holding the helmet well above the flame and taking care not to melt the styrene helmet. All of these will likely require a coat of Testors Dullcoat afterward to seal it and take away unwanted shinyness.

Niteshades was originally intended for use as a 'black out' paint for automotive taillights, and while it sucks zombie moose balls for that purpose it does a nice job tinting clear plastic for hobby projects where optic lens quality was not an issue.

. Proving that something good can coem from anywhere even the 'Ricer' subculture

The thing that most concerns me, or more appropriately the biggest thing I'd like to learn, is now to make the helmet seem "battle worn" or whatever those slightly burned markes are that I've seen on Richie's Armor paint jobs.

For example, this one from Richie's:

I'd like to know how to do that. Using that image, I've come up with this rough idea for my own paint scheme.

It has the rought idea of the hero helmet, while incorporating elements of the generic pilot helmet "blue bird image".

I may go with a combination of paint and decals, but would really love it if one of the amazing experts on this forum were to give a painting noob some tips on how to get weathering like that. Maybe Richie himself has some pointers?

 

[Funky]

When you say "I give it a light spraying of tan, primer grey and flat black.", do you mean that with a can of each, you hold first the can of tan a few feed away and "dust it" to get small flecks of paint on it, then repeat with grey, and then with black?

Yup!

Do you do this using rattle cans, or do you use an airbrush?

An airbrush is ideal but who has that kind of time? I use the cheapest rattle can Walmart offers.

Also, when you sand with the fine grades of sandpaper, do you sand over the decals?

Absolutely!

 

[Russ257]

I painted mine with rattle cans and tape and then used decals for the victory logos and the circle with lines bit. Then I used dull coat over top and then a was with watered down black tempra paint

here is a pic.

 

[stephen210]

a great place to look is starwarshelmets.com then to the fan made section.

Best
Steve