Monster Dave
Sr Member
Hey Everyone,
Well FINALLY I can join the lower ranks of replica builders here on the forum because today I actually started work on my first replica prop!! After months and months of seeing how talented others are who make props here, I'm uber excited to share my first project with you!! While I welcome criticism - please be kind - I've NEVER done this before, and I'm no artist - but I'm going to give this my very best effort. That being said, I welcome any pointers and advice that anyone has to offer!! :thumbsup
So, about 3 years ago a buddy of mine moved out of the country and gave me his nearly new motorcycle helmet. As some of you may know, I ride myself. I had/have 2 really nice helmets already, but I figured that his would be a good back-up if I ever needed it.
As time passed, the helmet just sat looking very sad in the closet with my other gear - and being 3rd in line to be worn meant that it rarely (if ever) saw the light of day.
So recently while watching Top Gun, it occurred to me that this helmet might really make a good base from which to build a replica of Mave's helmet!! So I started doing my homework and after finding a similar replica thread here on the RPF, I broke ground on the project today!
I'm using Jorge Lorenzo's MotoGP helmet loosely as my visual inspiration since it's similar in shape to what I'm working with.
Here's my helmet before I started:
It's an Icon Alliance helmet, not a bad base to start with. As you can see, it had a matte finish that had no clear coat to deal with which helped reduce the prep time.
The vents (from front to back) are going to be interesting to work with/around when it comes to striping the helmet, but I've got some good ideas for working with them and highlighting them at the same time.
Moving along, a quick trip to Home Depot yielded the supplies that I needed to get started:
First I ripped out the guts:
I also removed the mounting hardware for the visor after I took that picture.
Then I took to scuffing up the surface and with the 3M Pro Grade Sanding Block:
Then, after it was scuffed really well, I taped up the areas that either I intend to keep black, or don't want over spray to get into:
I've never done this before, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I got everything taped tightly and that the lines around the taped areas are crisp after I remove the tape!!
It was then time for the first prime/base coat!! Yay! This was a big step! For the base coat, I used good old Rust-Oleum Automotive Primer. Here's the 1st coat:
I was surprised at how evenly the paint went on. I remember having a terrible time with spray paint as a kid when I'd make models!! Fortunately there were no runs in the paint.
It was a bit challenging though because I had to apply the primer outside and it was WINDY today. So I was worried about dust and crud getting stuck to the wet paint. So as soon as the wind died down, I'd run outside with my helmet on a pizza pan wrapped in brown paper bags, apply the coating, and run my helmet back inside!!
Here's the result after 3 coats:
X
^the semi-circular shape on the back side of the helmet is actually reflection from something and isn't on the paint.
And here's what I've come to call the 'bowling ball' back side of my helmet:
X
That's going to be all the progress for the first day since the wind is just crazy. But I'm really excited about this project.
A few things that I need to get:
A dark/smoke shield -
X
Side covers for the shield (which I've yet to decide if they should be ultimately painted to match the blue that the helmet will be or not) -
X
And I think rather than paying someone to airbrush the work that I'm going to purchase the decals and apply them myself so that I can be sure about the location, placement, angles, etc...:
X
If the weather's good in the morning or tomorrow evening I'll try and get the first layer of the trademark blue that Mave's helmet has!
Well FINALLY I can join the lower ranks of replica builders here on the forum because today I actually started work on my first replica prop!! After months and months of seeing how talented others are who make props here, I'm uber excited to share my first project with you!! While I welcome criticism - please be kind - I've NEVER done this before, and I'm no artist - but I'm going to give this my very best effort. That being said, I welcome any pointers and advice that anyone has to offer!! :thumbsup
So, about 3 years ago a buddy of mine moved out of the country and gave me his nearly new motorcycle helmet. As some of you may know, I ride myself. I had/have 2 really nice helmets already, but I figured that his would be a good back-up if I ever needed it.
As time passed, the helmet just sat looking very sad in the closet with my other gear - and being 3rd in line to be worn meant that it rarely (if ever) saw the light of day.
So recently while watching Top Gun, it occurred to me that this helmet might really make a good base from which to build a replica of Mave's helmet!! So I started doing my homework and after finding a similar replica thread here on the RPF, I broke ground on the project today!
I'm using Jorge Lorenzo's MotoGP helmet loosely as my visual inspiration since it's similar in shape to what I'm working with.
Here's my helmet before I started:
It's an Icon Alliance helmet, not a bad base to start with. As you can see, it had a matte finish that had no clear coat to deal with which helped reduce the prep time.
The vents (from front to back) are going to be interesting to work with/around when it comes to striping the helmet, but I've got some good ideas for working with them and highlighting them at the same time.
Moving along, a quick trip to Home Depot yielded the supplies that I needed to get started:
First I ripped out the guts:
I also removed the mounting hardware for the visor after I took that picture.
Then I took to scuffing up the surface and with the 3M Pro Grade Sanding Block:
Then, after it was scuffed really well, I taped up the areas that either I intend to keep black, or don't want over spray to get into:
I've never done this before, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I got everything taped tightly and that the lines around the taped areas are crisp after I remove the tape!!
It was then time for the first prime/base coat!! Yay! This was a big step! For the base coat, I used good old Rust-Oleum Automotive Primer. Here's the 1st coat:
I was surprised at how evenly the paint went on. I remember having a terrible time with spray paint as a kid when I'd make models!! Fortunately there were no runs in the paint.
It was a bit challenging though because I had to apply the primer outside and it was WINDY today. So I was worried about dust and crud getting stuck to the wet paint. So as soon as the wind died down, I'd run outside with my helmet on a pizza pan wrapped in brown paper bags, apply the coating, and run my helmet back inside!!
Here's the result after 3 coats:
X
^the semi-circular shape on the back side of the helmet is actually reflection from something and isn't on the paint.
And here's what I've come to call the 'bowling ball' back side of my helmet:
X
That's going to be all the progress for the first day since the wind is just crazy. But I'm really excited about this project.
A few things that I need to get:
A dark/smoke shield -
X
Side covers for the shield (which I've yet to decide if they should be ultimately painted to match the blue that the helmet will be or not) -
X
And I think rather than paying someone to airbrush the work that I'm going to purchase the decals and apply them myself so that I can be sure about the location, placement, angles, etc...:
X
If the weather's good in the morning or tomorrow evening I'll try and get the first layer of the trademark blue that Mave's helmet has!
Last edited:
thumbsup
