Tinting / dying visors

[RadicalLarry]

Hey!

Quick question about dying plastic visors. I've seen that a lot of people use black or purple dye but has anyone used silver or white and still achieved decent visibility? Is that even possible?

Cheers!

 

[Talaaya]

If the visor doesn't bend on two axes (Daft Punk's Guy-Manuel helmet bends on two axes, Master Chief's bends slightly on two axes, Samus Aran's doesn't) you can use mirror privacy reflective window film which will make it like a mirror and thus appear silver/chrome. You simply apply the film to the inside of the visor and everyone outside sees a reflection while inside you can see just fine. The important thing is that it's dark on the inside. If there's light on the inside it reflects back at you, reducing visibility. It's a one way mirror.

 

[RadicalLarry]

It's more of a domed visor that I'd vacuum form. I think dying is my only option. Unless there's some kind of transparent silver spray?

 

[division 6]

Might want to try the search bar at the top since the subject of metallic visors has come up many times.

 

[RowBoatCop]

there was a thread about these http://www.amazon.com/Face-Chrome-Mask-Adult-Accessory/dp/B007S016WQ a while ago, I think someone had bought one but I can't find it so I don't know what they're actually like. not sure if that's the kind of thing you're talking about but for the price it might be worth a shot

 

[RadicalLarry]

That's the exact finish I want. If only I knew how to replicate it. Cheers buddy.

 

[RowBoatCop]

from what I remember from that thread the opinion was they're made like those cheap mirrored sunglasses you see in service stations, I'd imagine the process would be very expensive/complicated for a one-off build. Here's a video with somebody wearing what looks to be the same type of mask https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOk6iuqtZIs again, not sure what your needs are but it gives a decent idea of the dimensions so you might be able to adapt it for your build

 

[RadicalLarry]

This is the helmet I'm planning so it may be a little too small but could still pretty useful. Thanks for the link. I've seen people spraying very light coats of metallic paint to give some shine but it doesn't quite do it for me.

 

[RowBoatCop]

Ah I see, well on the plus side the seam lines in the helmet visor there mean you could potentially use multiple no-face masks cut to make up the various shapes, to my eye it would take three, one for the upper portion, one for the central teardrop shape & one for the shapes either side of that. Just an idea, best of luck with your build!

 

[Talaaya]

To me it seems like all you'd need is the center blob with the rivets on it to be transparent. The rest can just be actually painted. You'd just have to be careful to color match, but frankly it looks like the center blob is slightly darker anyway. I'd avoid the pure chrome mask linked earlier if you're going for accuracy - there's gotta be a better way to do it that'd match the look of this helmet. Either that or figure out a way to de-chrome it slightly. Roughen it up or lightly weather it with some acrylic perhaps. It shouldn't reduce visibility that much.

The other issue with using multiple pieces of that chrome one that was linked is that it'd be impossible to keep the arc of the helmet consistent.

 

[RadicalLarry]

Agreed. it would take a lot of work to make it symmetrical.
I may have found my answer. This guy sprayed something called Mirrachrome very thinly onto the inside of his visor. I'm guessing its just chrome paint?
http://protagonist4hire.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/halo-eva-helmet-visor-project.html