Josh's Captain America Shield

[OhYeahItsJosh]

I don't think you'll get a way to put it over both shoulders with out significantly changing the look, or taking a lot of time to adjust straps and such.

You're probably right but I figure I'd rather be able to sling it over my shoulder than not at all. If I have to take time and adjust it, then that's no biggie.

For the moment, I'm more concerned with painting the shield. While it's drying and settling in, I will try and think of something for the straps.

Here's a small update:

I went to a couple stores last night to get a few supplies like the acetone, 10 gauge aluminum sheet, and other painting supplies. When I mentioned what I was building, I was told that I would need to use primer after I cleaned the shield off with acetone. Has anyone used primer on their shields? I don't recall reading that in anyone else's build. More so, do I need to use primer with the Duplicolor Anodizing Paint?

Anyway I saw a couple different kinds of acetone: one from TSP, another brand called Goof Off (it's a spot remover and de-greaser) and a acetone from Klean-Strip. Has anyone had any luck with any of these or recommends one over the other?

 

[Kevin Gossett]

No primer. That will cover up not only the spun finish, but also the aluminum ring that won't get painted

 

[Chris Fields]

My two cents on the prop designers "intent" is this:

It seems like the the four bolts that hold the harness down (in pink on this picture) were somehow supposed to be "quick-release". This would allow the leather system to accomodate your arms once they were disconnected.

Attached is a rough concept of how it might look. He could pull it off his back and snap the clasps back down for carrying ion his arm or throwing.

This is the only thing that makes sense out of the extra leather that runs out to the edges of the shield and the pivots that the leather attaches to along the rim.

Of course we never saw this in the movie.

Other opinions may vary

I thought this exact same thing, I even tried it... but it didn't work out so well. I tried using the strongest quick connects I could, but they weren't strong enough to hold the handle back in position. There is probably a way to do it that is strong enough though... then I realized, even if the snaps worked, the straps wouldn't fit on the shoulders right, especially since the two sides are not symmetrical. I agree that was probably their intent. I also think they were trying to give him more places to grab the shield when it's coming back to him, but then they never used it on film.

 

[Chris Fields]

No primer. That will cover up not only the spun finish, but also the aluminum ring that won't get painted

exactly what Kevin said.

 

[OhYeahItsJosh]

Help. Spots on shield

Hey guys, small update here but I'm in need of some help.

After a Super Bowl party and a week of being sick, I'm finally starting on the shield. I went out and bought Klean Strip Acetone, some cotton rags and latex gloves so I could clean the shield off.

I was starting to clean the shield off and I noticed there were some spots and areas that were not coming off. Hell, even some finger prints would not come off.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. I'm new to this, any advice would be appreciated. I'm not sure where those spots came from.

Any tips on what I should do?

 

[staticweb23]

I used a product to clean and strip my shield down three times and it worked perfectly. The product is called Citristrip (Paint Stripper after Wash) found at Lowes in the paint section for like 8 dollars. Let me know if that doesn't help. It cleaned the shield and put a protective coat on the shield and was after 30 mins the shield is ready for taping and painting.

Staticweb23

 

[OhYeahItsJosh]

I used a product to clean and strip my shield down three times and it worked perfectly. The product is called Citristrip (Paint Stripper after Wash) found at Lowes in the paint section for like 8 dollars. Let me know if that doesn't help. It cleaned the shield and put a protective coat on the shield and was after 30 mins the shield is ready for taping and painting.

Thanks man, I actually got it all cleared around. I went to a buddy of mine who works at a dealership and they were nice enough to give me some pretty strong stuff to help clear it off. I did use some rubbing compound that they gave me though and that worked really really well. Along with some 38-12 (it's similar to acetone).

Here's another small update. After cleaning the shield like a madman, I got everything taped up and I should be ready to put on the first coat of blue paint.

It's pretty cold outside so I won't be able to paint until I have access to the hangar at work. So I won't be able to put anything on until Sunday or Monday. Either way, I'll send pictures and let you all know how it turns out!

 

[drakeprimeone]

Re: Update!

So after the holidays and deciding what to do for my shield I'm finally able to start working on it.

Before I begin any update though, I want to thank Valor and Chris Fields for their advice, help, and guidance throughout this project. I won't lie, I'm really new to making props so this is foreign territory for me. Thanks again for your help!

Anyway on to the update.

After picking a shield size, ring diameter, and star size, I finally have all the components I need to start my build. Here's a picture of what I'm working with.

The shield was bought off of eBay from a machining shop down in Miami and the star was bought from Valor (Thanks again!). I decided to go with a 26" shield and a 10" star. I also decided to go with the Duplicolor Anodizing Paint Red and Blue (or I could just keep it blank because...damn doesn't it look nice?). This week I'll begin taping off the inner circle and white ring and I'll lay down the red.

I was a bit concerned about the weather since I live in Pittsburgh and we get TONS of snow. Fortunately, I'm lucky enough to work at a steel plant that has a large well-insulated hangar and they have given me permission to paint it there.

Concerning the brackets/handles on the back, I'm trying to get as close to the movie's handles as possible but I might alter it a bit. I want to be able to sling the shield over my shoulders and on my back but I'm not sure if the handle design from the movies allows for that. So I'm trying to think of a way to incorporate both. If anyone has any ideas or has a design that works that way, please let me know!

More to come this week when I begin painting!

Great progress so far makes me excited when I start mine! Currently awaiting the star from Valor :thumbsup

I'll be closely following your thread and hope all turns out well!

 

[OhYeahItsJosh]

Here's the first set of painting done.

I really like the look of the blue. I'm worried it might be a bit too dark but then again we'll see how it all looks with the red. If I don't like it, I can always remove the paint and start over . I'm just excited to finally get some color on this bad boy.

I'm going to let it sit for a couple days and then I'll tape up the blue and work on the red rings.

More to come later!

 

[OhYeahItsJosh]

Today I wanted to finish painting the shield. So I stripped off the the painter's tape and began working on the red. Here's a photo of my progress.

After about 3 hours of letting it dry I peeled off all the tape because I was excited to see what it would look like. And just to see for a perspective I put the star from Valor down on top to see what it would look like entirely.

I think it looks really really good and I can't wait for it to be done. However, I ran into a couple problems and I screwed up. While I was taking off the painter's tape I accidentally scratched off some of the blue paint. I tried to fix it with a Q-tip but it didn't work so well.

Additionally, I might have been a bit too close with the red spray can today. I think it can be sanded down but I'll take any suggestions on what I can do to fix this.

I'm more concerned about the scratches on the blue. The Q-tip worked on some parts but not that area. Any help?

 

[J Scorn]

hello, ive been following your progress, and i can see you have hit the same problem i did when i first got into spray painting, from my understanding of the shield and its colours, its pretty perfect so touch ups will show up as it has, (nasty shame) unless anyone else has a better idea you may have to start again, HOWEVER on your next go, instead of using tape try using a mask called wax masking of liquid mask some call it. it makes a better edge between the colours ... when u spray the surface the paint slightly gets under the tinist amout of tape and cracks, this doesnt happen with the wax. also a little tip when spraying, spray completely off the shield then right across to the other side and off the edge to avoid 'spotting'.

best of luck

 

[drakeprimeone]

I was wondering if it would be easier spray on the clear coat as you do each ring as opposed to doing the entire shield after painting. If it isn't necessary to clear coat the shield in one shot then I am guessing this method would prevent the masking tape from pulling up any paint.

 

[drakeprimeone]

Josh I also noticed your star looks significantly brighter compared to your earlier pic with the unpainted shield. Did you do anything to it?

 

[thenextavenger]

Looks amazing!

 

[OhYeahItsJosh]

hello, ive been following your progress, and i can see you have hit the same problem i did when i first got into spray painting, from my understanding of the shield and its colours, its pretty perfect so touch ups will show up as it has, (nasty shame) unless anyone else has a better idea you may have to start again, HOWEVER on your next go, instead of using tape try using a mask called wax masking of liquid mask some call it. it makes a better edge between the colours ... when u spray the surface the paint slightly gets under the tinist amout of tape and cracks, this doesnt happen with the wax. also a little tip when spraying, spray completely off the shield then right across to the other side and off the edge to avoid 'spotting'.

best of luck

Yeah I'm probably going to have to start again. I'm not too happy about it but I want this to come out perfect. Thanks for the help!

Josh I also noticed your star looks significantly brighter compared to your earlier pic with the unpainted shield. Did you do anything to it?

I actually didn't do a thing to it. The earlier picture had really bad lighting. Also to answer your other question, the tape didn't pull up any paint; the exacto knife that I used to cut the tape off did. That was my own dumb mistake.

 

[Valor]

Hey Josh, Here's what I would do ... Strip the paint and begin again. It's not a big deal. Pick up a can of acetone. Wipe it on and work it around with a SUPER soft cotton T-shirt. You can pick up Citrus-based paint strippers at the hardware store too. But they get messy fast.

When you repaint, remember: Several THIN coats.

It'll look great next time

 

[Chris Fields]

Sorry man, i can see the pics here at work. Are you hosting them from facebook? Judging from what Valor mentioned, I'd probably say the same thing. I'll double check when I get home later.

 

[neon2102]

Very impressive for your first prop. I've never built one, but from your pics it looks very promising. Once you get the paint fixed up it'll look fantastic.

 

[Deacon]

There are certain sections of mine inside the groove that are painted or not painted, I hate it because the paint job came out perfect everywhere else, you dont see the inconsistencies until you get up close. Wondering if I should just scrap it out to make it look even, I really dont want to strip her down again (did it 3 x already). Your shield looks great, keep it goin.

 

[Deacon]

Are you sealing this with an acrylic paint?