Tusken RTT

Awesome job- good luck!

OK, so live and learn; definitely not a quick process, but I think I am getting the hang of it. Dont use medium grit; it simply removes the paste you put on and you are back where you started. After I sanded down on round 2, I could see the seam peeking through again. So I added another coat of paste, a little wider to allow me to sand with fine grit only, starting on the outer edges of the paste to allow the seam to be the thickest part of the paste after I am through. Very tiring and tedious. So I started with what looked like this for round 3- And after 30 minutes or so of sanding got down to this- So making some progress; a lot of sanding with finer grits of sandpaper still to do, but I have to go to work, so off to the hardware store tonight to get super fine grit. I'm using 220 now but will get some whatever is between that and 1000. Then comes the polishing, but I think there will be a successful end to this part of the project by the weekend! I know of course it does not look good now, but again, still much work to do to get it smoothed out and polished up. Will post more pics as it moves along.

I added my first velcro yesterday to one shin, but I did not glue it down, just used the industrial velcro and stuck it on. Did it not hold long?

Small paintbrush. Really pressed hard into the seam the second time, that may have been why it still showed in spots after the first attempt, as I just kind of brushed it on lightly. That should be perfect for time between application and sanding. Good luck! Hopefully you will nail it one the first attempt. I got the Novus kit online from the spa store- got here in 2 days on regular shipping!

It is an AP kit; I went with 2 inches on each side. I could have squeezed in one inch but I figured if you are having to hide the seam anyway go ahead and be comfortable. I waited overnight to begin the sanding the first time. This second round I let the paste sit up overnight and it actually came out a lot better. I put more shards in a shot glass, barely covered them w the acetone and then covered the shot glass with foil. When I woke up I stirred it and it was ready to be applied, which I did w a small brush. I used med grit to sand first to just knock down the rough stuff, as I taped off the clean edges so they did not get scratched too badly. Then used the fine grit (220) then the novus 3 and 2. It is no picnic for sure! Think I may bust out the power tools this time around for the sanding and buffing.

OK; round #2 . Will sand down tonight to check her out!

Got a lot done this weekend! Went ahead and used the stickers that came in and hand painted the stripes on the tears and traps; so the helmet is all set! Padding is in and chin strap is attached. I trimmed the neck a bit underneath. Glued the kidney shims on and cut the notch; still working on hiding the seam that shows, but it is completely smooth. Started on the suspension as I only have a couple of cover stips left for the thighs. Made some Han clips and began making all of my snap connections. Should have a dry run fitting this week without tape!

Needed to extend the kidney plate a bit to meet up with the ab plate. I had been saving my shavings as I went along in preparation. Glued my inner shims first than matched up as best a I could the outer shims. Added my acetone to the shards after taping up the seam. After the mix started to get like syrup (about 15 minutes of stirring) I poured it on the crack. I let it set up overnight before sanding and polishing. After the cleaning up a little, with a long way to go still (and cutting my kidney notch), the seam is completely smooth, but in some areas along the seam I can still see it! I hate to repeat this process. Any ideas? I was thinking about running a thin line of paint (trying to match as best I can) along the lines I can still see, then really polishing it down to blend in. If done again, I know I can paste it thicker and wider on the seam and then sand down, but I was hoping to not to see the paste like I would if I went that route. Appreciate any tips!

Great info above- in addition, get your rivets, elastic (black and white), nylon strapping, TD clips, work on E-11, get upgraded lens for bucket, bucket pads n straps, voice amp, and then get more magnets and clamps! About 3 tubes of E-6000. Also some small white knit elastic for shoulder straps. About 5 packs of snaps and whatever you want to back them on. Will also need paint for helmet and ab buttons, S trim for bucket ,ind. velcro for shins. Dont forget Novus 3 pk for cleaning and scratches! Good luck and have fun! Hit me up if you need I have learned so much already, many times from my own mistakes!

Great job on the suit; awesome group shot also!

Wow that is a work of art- perfect!

The kidney extensions are ready for the ABS paste; got the inner and outer strips all glued in. While scraping glue I put a huge scratch in the kidney plate! Ordered Novus and it vanished like magic- great stuff! Lesson learned on glue scratching- fingernails and toothpics only from now on; and tape off good areas. Will practice first on some scraps before going live with the paste- will give an update tomorrow!

Got the sticker order in from Trooperbay to fix my tube fail; I wanted to re-do the tears and traps but the ones they sent me are blanks! I emailed them to get the ones with stripes so the helmet is still in limbo for a bit. Fixed the stripes and got the padding in. Question; does anyone trim under the vocoder? It feels like it pressing up against my adams apple. Or do I need to play around more with the padding?

Update on things; the build is coming along! Nothing exciting with the biceps and forearms; so far so good! Now moving on to the legs; will finish the calves this weekend and am just beginning the thighs. I am getting down to the last drops of my extra ABS- cant have any mistakes!

Wow- Great suit and pics!

I should get the replacement stickers today or tomorrow for the helmet; wanted to take pics of everything at once, my build thread is weak for sure! I just have to make sure I dont screw up anymore cuts; building the side shims left me with zero room for error in regards to replacement ABS covership material! My undershims will be just some pieces glued for the last few parts!

You are a perfectionist! Cant wait to see this suit in person.

You are seeing the end of the tunnel- looking good! Just now coverstripping the legs for me; arms are done. I finished the kidney extension/shim- going to ABS paste it this weekend and will post a thread.

Looking great!

Looks great- good save!

Looks awesome- great job!

Looking good- you are getting after it!

Got my coverstrips cut; 5/8 and 7/8. Removed the bad sticker jobs and got some more ordered and painted the ear ranks. I am now Mr. No Stripes on the Rt side. Actually clamped a bicep piece and trimmed up here and there on just about everything I could get my hands on! Pretty much just the parts that digged in nothing more than few mm. Living room is a wreck; I have joined the trooper wife is mad at me club. Should be able to glue the kidney extensions and the get to work on the dreaded paste next week.

Beautiful- congrats!

That looks awesome- congrats! Great build!