My Sgt Fang Vader Helmet Repaint UPDATE PG 2 Ridge Mod NEW PICS!!

[Dann]

Hey guys, I recently repainted my Sgt Fang lid, I've got a bunch of photos. Some taken straight on, some slightly low, and some high.

Here's a couple teasers....

And a photobucket link to the whole dang album.

http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii160/ninjagrips/Sgt Fang Vader Helmet/

I still can't get the finish on the dome the way I want it. I've heard of some people using Turtle Wax, any advice?

Lemme know what you think!


EDIT: BTW, Sarge, if you're reading this, feel free to use any of these pics to help sell your lids, just gimme a plug! :lol

 

[DB73]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Repaint

they rubbed soap into it in the film to reduce reflection

 

[madrobot]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Repaint

That's just too cool. I'm really giving some thought to getting a Vader Helmet.

 

[kalkamel]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Repaint

Actually it's rubbing compound, as per Darthjones' method. It reduces the shine on the dome.

 

[Lord Abaddon]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Repaint

Gorgeous!!!

 

[SgtFang]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Repaint

Dang dude! That thing just keeps getting better and better! I really like how your pics show how the helmet flange can look longer and shorter from different angles. :thumbsup

I'm still doing these BTW- order early if you want one in time for Halloween!

-Sarge

 

[Dann]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Repaint

I really like how your pics show how the helmet flange can look longer and shorter from different angles.

I'm glad you noticed that Sarge, that's exactly what I was trying to show!

I think I like this low angle the most.

I may have the dome positioned a tad too low in the front, it's hard to get just right. I feel like from the low angle in the photo above, the widows peak should just hit the center of the top nose ridge. In the above shot it just hits the bottom of it. Man, I'm starting to get picky with this thing. Spend too much time reading threads at the Den. :lol

 

[RBJ]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Repaint

Good job! ..now go paint that right tusk black!

 

[Dann]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Repaint

:lol I did have it weathered for awhile, though a lot of it's rubbed off from handling. I'll give it a once-over. Thanks for the reminder!

EDIT: Here you go, if you look closely you can tell there's still a little black there. It's mostly all come off the face of the tusk though.

 

[darienvader]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Helmet Repaint

What brand of paint and colors did you use? Looks great!

 

[Dann]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Helmet Repaint

Tamiya Gun Metal, Tamiya Black (not flat) for the facemask.

Ended up using Createx Black (airbrush paint at Michaels) for the dome.

Still not happy with the dome, though.

 

[Dann]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Helmet Repaint

Okay, I have an update, excuse the poor pic quality.

I wish I took some progress photos while I was doing this but I just forgot.

I reworked the center ridge on my dome making it skinnier like the real deal, and gave it another dang repaint. This time I used Duplicolor Hot Rod Primer and Duplicolor Gloss Black Acrylic Enamel. Great paints even if they are like $5 a can. The facemask is in a stage of slight rework as well. Nothing major, just sharpening a couple things and filling a few air bubbles here and there. Also redoing a little paint.

Here's a before and after (or rather after and before) comparison shot, I know the angles aren't exact and the dome placement was a little off in the older pic, but you get the idea. All you really need to see is the thickness of the center ridge.

It's not evenly glossy all over, though you can't really tell from the pics, so I'm gonna recoat it next week (Duplicolor says to wait 7 days to recoat if you dont recoat within an hour, anyone tried recoating sooner?) and try to get a uniform finish. This is much easier said than done. Anybody have a set way they paint their dome as far as the actual spray approach? For instance, start at the top and move horizontally all the way around in one motion and repeat all the way down, or go vertically, etc...

I'll get some better photos in the daylight tomorrow, I keep forgetting to snag my parents' tripod. :lol

Any feedback?

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Helmet Repaint UPDATE PG 2 NEW PICS!!

Mucho improvement with the narrowing of the center ridge. :thumbsup

 

[dcarty]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Helmet Repaint UPDATE PG 2 NEW PICS!!

Mucho improvement with the narrowing of the center ridge. :thumbsup

Agreed! Excellent work

Dave

 

[Dann]

Re: My Sgt Fang Vader Helmet Repaint UPDATE PG 2 NEW PICS!!

Thanks guys!

 

[OdiWan72]

how did you narrow the ridge?
looking great!
Markus

 

[Chris07]

Nice Work.

 

[Dann]

For the ridge mod I basically made a guideline with masking tape and used a dremel w/a sanding drum to grind away most of the material on either side.

Then came a whole lot of sanding. Next I reinforced the inside along the ridge and widows peak area with Bondo (should've done this first, but I got lucky and didn't sand through anywhere) and used Bondo spot/glazing putty to smooth out the edges along the sides of the ridge.

Then came more sanding. And primering, and sanding some more, and primering some more.

I gave the dome a once more over with 220 and 320 and washed it, rinsed it and dried it. Then I laid down my topcoats. I need to go back and coat it again, but the damn Duplicolor wants you to wait a week.

Anyway, that's pretty much it, took a couple nights, and a lot of elbow grease, but I feel it was well worth it. Hope that helps!