ECOLI

Guys, I was noticing the grey paint on the detonator is different from the humbrol grey? What do most of you guys use???

Were you putting down very light coats, I did some detailing on a helmet, mainly the vocoder and seemed to get "a raised edge" where the paint met the tape. Someone said I may have went to haevy to fast. But, I really like the sharpness of yours man it looks good.

That looks amazing man really great work. I like the paint job. Did you spray paint? and if you did how did you tape off? The reason I ask is the lines look really sharp, which looks incredible.

Hey, That kit looks great cannot wait to see it built up if you need a hand or can show me some tricks with it let me know. Erik

Oh while I have you guys looking at it here are some pics I think I may leave it as is what do you guys think and try my hand at another helmet.

Hi guys, I need a quick tip, on my first lid I spray painted the ears and the vocoder. When I peeled the tape off I had a raised edge of paint is this normal? Is there a way to get rid of that? If you guys need photos let me know?

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Hey, The green tape you are referring to is automotive painters tape, you should be able to find it in the automotive section in a local Walmart or even Autozone. Unlike the blue the green is made to be more bleed resistant than the blue and it is labeled for being able to make really fine lines. Only a little more pricey than the blue but not by much. I do know from personal experience though that when painting with the tape you will still get a raised edge where the paint met the tape. I am not sure how to remedy this if at all. Maybe lighter coats??? A person to ask to is Pandatrooper, he is pretty knowledgeable when it comes to paint products and application. I have asked that question on MEPD pending an answer. I have also been told there is a professional painters tape out there that is almost rubber like an electric tape or vinyl, but it is harder to find and more expensive. Only available at professional paint stores? or so I have been told. Hope this helps.

Hi Megan Congratulations, I am new too and I completely agree with what has been said by all parties. If you need help ask for it, our motto is Troopers helping Troopers and that is what we will do. Being new I agree with Sarathe spend some time reading about builds and mods and what you can pick up while you are waiting. I ordered an AP kit which could take some time to come in. In the meantime and in my case, I am going Sandtrooper, I could get an undersuit, boots, pauldron,pouches, neckseal, blaster, Any modification to the helmet parts, and the list goes on. That way you can be working on your goal while still waiting and in the meantime learning. You tube Mikes garage that will give you some insight in the build process and some tools etc. Also, feel free to jump around and look at some other costumes and maybe you may like to do a TB or something else and that could change the outcome. Either way welcome and congratulations. Ecoli

Those are both very helpful, Is there a good way to tape off those parts of the helmet? to get the paint to look really sharp? Thanks guys

Hello, So I made the leap I ordered an AP kit with a lid and am trying to get myself in order for my kit to come in which could be some time. Anyway I was curious about how people are painting your lids i.e. a good tutorial primarily for the frown area, Vocoder, ear pieces etc. My concern is after painting how do you guys return it to the gloss look. I have heard of spray painting, airbrushing, and just plain hand painting. Can all these methods be brought back to a glossy look and if so what is a good method to do so? I am not too familiar with wet sanding etc.

HI, So I have a really interesting question. I would love to try and make a real modified replica sterling I tried my luck with a Han Solo blaster a few years ago and although not entirely screen accurate it looks great. So the real question is where does a person just come across a Hengstler counter. I know we have kits that a person can use to modify and not all blasters had one but lets just say we wanted to find a real one in a store or what not. Where does a person start. It would help if we all knew what an industrial counter was used for??? I am not doubting the fact that they are probably kinda rare and would be a chance find for the actual film used model. Heck, I tried that looking for an old graflex a few years back and boy did that camera shop owner know exactly what I was wanting it for Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts of good ideas, my other thought was what about a different Hengstler model one more abundant and very similar?