Need help repairing a Vader fiberglass helmet

[DemonSeed]

Ok, So my pride and joy was kinda chipped during a recent move. :confused
Its not that bad, and my first thought is Bondo (of course!) but its on the bottom lip of the helmet, do you think i could replicate that lip from bondo?
Also, does it mean I have to repaint the WHOLE facemask to make sure the paint is even??
:cry

 

[exoray]

Bondo will work, if you want it a little stronger look for bondo with fibers in it... The fibers are probably not necessary for such a small repair though...

And yes you will most likely need to paint the whole thing, as blending both the bondo and paint in such a small distance is iffy at best even if you had the same paint...

 

[CSMacLaren]

Don't overharden the bondo, or it'll end up being brittle. One other resource is to use Aquamend, which can be conveniently purchased at Home Depot.

You don't have to paint the entire mask - just that whole neck piece. So mask off the lower tusk tubes and the mouth area, and you'll be okay.

 

[Laffo]

Don't use bondoglass. It won't smooth out as much as you want. Regular bondo will do fine. Take your time roughing it down.
Laffo.

 

[chefhawk]

Yep bondo will work fine and as mac says dont add too much hardener as it becomes too brittle.

As also is mentioned just mask off and repaint and re lacquer the bottom half...on the premise that you painted the faceplate originaly and know the exact paint used or can get info on the paint used.


If you were in the uk then i would offer to help you.


good luck and keep us all posted on your progress


cheers

 

[JtotheP]

Apoxy Sculpt might be a good option. You can shape it out nice, and smooth it with water till it cures, hopefully giving you less sanding.

 

[Laffo]

Apoxy Sculpt might be a good option. You can shape it out nice, and smooth it with water till it cures, hopefully giving you less sanding.

Yep, and if you can't find that, 2 part plumber's epoxy will do the same thing. You can smooth it with water as well. You can get it at any Home Depot.
Laffo.

 

[droid wrangler]

The type of repair depends on usage. Do you wear it? Or is it a display piece? If you wear it. Does that area rub against the chest armor? If so just filling in the chip could be problematic. It may pop out. I would recommend reinforcing the whole area using epoxy resin or apoxie sculpt.

 

[DemonSeed]

The type of repair depends on usage. Do you wear it? Or is it a display piece? If you wear it. Does that area rub against the chest armor? If so just filling in the chip could be problematic. It may pop out. I would recommend reinforcing the whole area using epoxy resin or apoxie sculpt.

its a display peice only.

 

[Revolverkiller]

theres also this stuff called Sugru/

might work

Revo

 

[hollywoodhardware]

theres also this stuff called Sugru/

might work

Revo

Nope, that stuff is silicone and cannot be painted.

 

[DemonSeed]

Nope, that stuff is silicone and cannot be painted.

Thanks for the help guys, Im going to go with bondo. Unfortuantly, I bought the face plate PRE painted...so I guess Im going to be on the look out for someone whos more qualified than lil ol me to repaint it.

As far as wearing it, the dome is about 15 lbs of fiberglass...oh the neck injuries!

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

I'd go with aquamend or some other 2 part putty that you can shape with your fingers. I think Bondo would be too brittle and would require a billion layers to shape up and harden.

Dan

 

[Laffo]

No it wouldn't. If mixed correctly it's not brittle. One layer would do it. A 2 part that can be smoothed with water would require less sanding.
Laffo.