My empire strikes back Darth Vader helmet

[Twofoot]

I've never wet sanded anything before. Is there anything special I need to do besides using a high grit paper and keeping the paper and helmet wet?

No that's pretty much it. All you are really doing when you wetsand is taking out all the tiny imperfections (orange peel effect) and dust specs etc... .

My one bit of advise concerns the clearcoat. Dont be scared to wetsand it at the end. Yes, it will LOOK scratched and Matt coloured but once you put some cutting compound (very important, as it removes the sanding marks) on it and buff it up all the scratchs will disappear. The give it a couple of GOOD coats of wax and you will have a really shiny surface.

 

[swfan67]

Excellent job on the painting! I'm gonna have to try that wet sanding you mentioned between the colors. I'm in the process now of painting a Vader face mask and want some good results myself.

 

[clancampbell]

"Your skills are complete..."
Excellent restoration, the paintjob is a joy to behold!

Rich

 

[masterstumpy]

Great helmet!!!! Looks great!!!
I have a few questions.
Did you wet sand the helmet before the clear coat?
Also, was the paint applied from a spray can or a spray gun?

 

[Twofoot]

No. I didn't wetsand before putting on the clearcoat. This is because you CANNOT wetsand metallic paint as it ruins the finish. Just apply it VERY carefully and VERY thinnly so you don't get any runs.
As for the other question. I just used regular spray cans not a sorry gun. You can get some REALLY good results with sorry cans if you are patient.
Please note that the curing times for the paint will be less in summer. I did this when it was still winter.

 

[Twofoot]

No. I didn't wetsand before putting on the clearcoat. This is because you CANNOT wetsand metallic paint as it ruins the finish. Just apply it VERY carefully and VERY thinnly so you don't get any runs.
As for the other question. I just used regular spray cans not a sorry gun. You can get some REALLY good results with sorry cans if you are patient.
Please note that the curing times for the paint will be less in summer. I did this when it was still winter.

 

[Kroenen77]

Wow...a lot of work..but it was worth all the pain!:thumbsup