My Rocketeer Helmet Build

[PRCDMC]

I bought the beautiful kit that Oz sells and immediately started working on it when it arrived last Wednesday. After many late nights of going to bed at midnight or 1 AM, I am calling this ”done” for now. Many hours of cutting, dremeling, sanding, painting, more sanding, etc.

My technique was to prime it with black automotive primer, wet sand, a base coat of Rustoleum gold, wet sand, a wash of burnt umber, several coats of Rub N Buff antique gold, and more burnt umber.

I know that some people like to age the helmets even more than I did, but I think this is just the right level of patina for my tastes. I figure I can always add more later, should I decide to.

 

[PhuketAussie]

Beautiful, love this movie!

 

[PRCDMC]

Well, I decided I needed to try to weather it a bit, and I’m so glad I did! I was able to really get the tarnished metal look tonight, I think.

How’d I do?

 

[nick daring]

What did you use to get the final tarnish effect?

 

[IFA]

Really nice helmet and patina.....congrats

 

[joberg]

Looks like metal: great paint/wear and tear job

 

[PRCDMC]

Beautiful, love this movie!

Thank you!!

What did you use to get the final tarnish effect?

My final step was to use some black shoe polish on the tip of my finger, dab in spots, and then buff to a high sheen.

Really nice helmet and patina.....congrats

Thank you!!

Looks like metal: great paint/wear and tear job

Thank you!!

 

[eethan]

oh yes, I love your final result! very nice job

 

[Malibu139]

Wow! also love the way it mounts to the wall.

 

[PRCDMC]

Wow! also love the way it mounts to the wall.

Thanks! I bought a football helmet side display wall mount on Etsy. Works perfectly.

 

[PRCDMC]

Well, I decided it wasn’t “done” yet and needed more weathering. Of course I took it too far, had to strip some off, start over, etc, etc. I’m sure this struggle is familiar to a lot of you with our hobby! Always trying to hit “perfection” and doing more harm than good sometimes. Haha.

Here is what I am deeming the final product. A few more washes of burnt umber, some more black spots, and some buffing. Calling it quits on this project. Next up will be an X3 rocket pack this winter.

 

[joberg]

Pro-Job on the whole project

 

[swgeek]

Looks great. These are so much better weathered.

 

[mydutchtouch]

I just got this helmet kit from Oz. So good. Nice job on the weathering!

 

[PRCDMC]

I just got this helmet kit from Oz. So good. Nice job on the weathering!

Nice!!! Make sure to photograph the process to share with us!