Heatshock

phil - simply use the search key here, bikerscout.net, CT.net, CE, TDH or any reputable prop board - I am sure u will find that SFP is probably the ultimate buyer beware. not only are his wares down right inaccurate in some cases, he is also a known recaster who has been allegedly "nasty" to some original prop makers who have protested abt his usage of their original sculpts. He is also known to be unreliable, with slow and poor record of delivary - and its been once quoted that spending money at SFP is like giving money away. on the personal side - it was alleged molestation of a minor and I know of at least one guy (and his family) who were threatened Keep away, under no circumstances purchase from this vendor. Nate

oh my - thats some mighty fins armour u got there Nate all the best and enjoy! Nate

aye stay safe out there guys Nate

aye - hope everything works out in the end. caught the tail end of this at CE forums, and traced threads in MEPD I can see the situation from both points of view - dont think either party ie the wider community or Seth are right/wrong. From wot I gathered, Seth has always been very conscientious and reliable in the past. At the end of the day, this bit here is the hobby, and real life always takes precedence in my book. I hope everything turns out for the best for all parties concerned. I may not know u in real life Seth, but my thoughts and prayers to you in this difficult time in ur life mate. Nate

1st off, welcome 2nd - not sure from post whether u are new or old trooper - but just in case u r new; heres a really useful link started b ythat good man up there TomG------------ 3rd - I assume u are UK based? tried contacting local Garrison? they are a friendly bunch over there, and if u are only look for parts of a kit; I am sure some one at UK garrison could hook you up easy. 4th - HI! I'm new too Nate

I found sanding paint really easy, and didnt really take long. I used W&D and liked it, aslo gave a finer grit. I used a spray bottle/mister just to give it that little bit of lubrication. We in UK use a diff paint though, one from a car DIY shop - so cant tell u how Krylon/Rustoleum goes. I'd prime. this is wot I did - but there is no hard and fast rule. 400/600 W&D to initial primer x3 800/1200 W&D gloss x3 800/1200 W&D - cos had a few runs gloss x2 wait to mature - buff with cloth rather than using sandpaper add in details -painting traps or applying decals etc clear coat/lacquer x2 wait a good while for lacquer to mature before buffing good luck mate Nate

I am more or less convinced that the words "professional auto-motive paint job" tends to make a vendor less credible. FG has pros and cons. Although just beginning on my TK journey - I spend a lot of time researching other costumes - and in some other armour sets eg TB, clone - some of the best lids are FG. Learning to repatch with FG kits is becoming easier and easier with all the kits available now, but be prepared for gettin a good respirator! Given a choice though, plus fact that there are such nice lids as well - forgoe FG for ur TK lid. AP/TE2/RT for ur screen based wonky goodness (RTis also Candian based armourer) or MR CE for budget idealised view. And trust me Sean, from someone whos been stung by recasts - LISTEN to Paul and Mike. Not only is it a matter of principle, it is also a matter of good, trust worthy product. oh and Ebay isnt all that bad - but I do only tend to buy from people off this board or ur local equivalent prop boards. Basically people who u know u can trust. Nate

well done Cranks! Very very nice I may just have to give up waiting on decals and paint it now.... wheres the WIP of the FX suit? strange - but is it something abt this whole hobby; I am close to finishing MR CE mod as well; and already I am missing something to do and relishing the next project already? Nate

actually Alex - thats prob one of the good things abt this helmet. Its a recast of a SDS battle spec. Hence retaining the wonkiness and asymmetry of the original. In addition - posts like can be mis-intepretated as being unhelpful or not very nice; after all we are all relative newbies here still and should be more helpful to one another. nice progress langy. just had a nice lengthy discussion on UKG side abt paintjobs 600 W&D primer 1-2 layers wait 24hrs 800 or 1200 W&D white appliance gloss 3-4 layers wait allotted cure time - I am going for a week considering I am away from home as well 1200 W&D OR just buff with wet towel if no major faults one initial dusting of lacquer followed by a good 2 even layers all Halfrauds rattle cans pm me if u need mroe directions to uk sources for paints, decals or brow trims mate Nate ps - oi the N95 takes glorious pics! - just not indoors

Hey Noel - I know for a fact that Mike is working on some MR CE sized decals no time frame as yet (think hes waiting for the lid to arrive on his door step) think I like fireblades suggestion best - make em both! Nate

looking good. looks like mroe work ahead though mate

heh a TDHer - well I guess I should return the favour ur TDHer fellows gave me pm sent matey Nate

hey murray, completely agree with cranky 1st time modder here too. my backgroudn with tools is mostly DIY round the house. found with the tutorials and encouragement from all here - worked out fine like u - painting was my gretest downfall. but remember, if a layer does go wrong - just sand (fd sanding paint so much easier than sanding plastic!) and break out he spray can again! hope to see piccies soon NAte

aye cranky - I do agree that lots of improvements can be made to a MR CE eg the mods on urs look great. Not sure how much u've spent so far on urs, think Luis was saying atb $150 including the initial price for the MRCE. I spent quite a bit more now - but then its cos I dont have alot of the initial tools that most other experienced costumers would have already on had. AND after all that - it still is basically symmetrical! heh cranky - my thoughts exactly. But must admit - its been fun doing the MR CE mod ! Alex - oh I agree to that, but why get something so perfect and make it all wonky or vice versa? Its not a matter of can you do it, more of why do it when other viable options? Unless its purely for the intellectual exercise and the oh-lets-see-if-it can-be-done ness. With the skills displayed on these boards - I am sure some1 could make a MR CE look step out of screen accurate. Think for the amount I have spent so far, + a few more greenbacks, I could prob get the less-than-perfect AP kit some people have already mentioned. But like I've said - I actually like the MR CEs symmetry (and of course its price). I also like TE2s look as well - so saving up to get one of Mike's finished beautys. But thats the great thing abt this hobby though - no right/wrong or perfect kit/helmet. We are all gonna have opinions. Thats the one thing it took me a while to realise abt white armour; and it still makes me chuckle when people post up "wots the best armour I can buy" My personal opinion? MR CE - love the bucket, love the price. Not screen accurate - but has 501 stamp of approval! weeee well ok - not its out of box symmetry. Its out of box and a few mods kinda symmetry.

ah cool cat - i hate dremels too - hence my lightbulb method (15 min and no power tools! yay me!). dont think u have many other alternatives. Both seem sound methods though. Not sure if u have other choices. interior paint? most people just painted on direct. I primed it, no sanding and then 2 coats of satin black paint. Do a search for the paints - I am UK side. Think US paints are Rustoleum and Krylon Fusion IIRC - something like that

heh glad to be of service cat - now arent u glad u started on this journey? once again - use the search tool cat - both this thread u are posting in, No'l's and cranky's thread all cover how to remove the aerator (oh mine too). a little effort on ur part is always and greatly appreciated b4 posting. do ur research, dont panic and u'll be fine - loads of fine people on here to talk u through it (I am not including myself in this grp yet till I get more experience under my belt, but happy to help too if I can) planning to use silicone for re-attaching my trim. Nate

hmm disagree cranky - it would prob be quite a bit more work the MR CE is too symmetrical. So it aint even just the bump. Kinda of the problem I got into; I added a bump, and it just looked out of place. It also seems to offend original screen accurate specialists. The eye holes are also wrong shape and size. Frown isnt angled enough. from an aesthetics point of view - I have now come to the conclusion that if u like the symm look - which I do, MRCE. if not AP/TE2/RT for more wonky goodness. trying to make the MR CE wonky i slike trying to make a AP/TE2/RT symmetrical. Too much time, effort and prob money. From a financial point of view - MR CE is very nice bucket for a good price. But if u do buy it - I would say accept it for all its symmetrical beauty

dont think there is right or wrong here. goign by MRCE brow ends in fornt of ears at the posterior corner of the front trapezoid. So I'd say u are right! Nate

any blade should do cat - I think I used a standard stanley knife from my tool kit rofl - I really should get my hands on a set of precise hobby knives depending on how much damage u did to ears - some putty should fix it up good - think the US troopers use MMD putty or squadron putty. in uk I use milliput OR if really bad - just do like Noel did; I do like look of his idealised bucket

not to worry mate. look at the pm I gave u of my progress on MR CE overhaul after you saw into brow, some of the plastic get pushed into the gap, but its just a thin bit. use a hobby knife to clean up the edge, it should be ok - cos mine did the same glad to see that u are giving it a go! pics will also be very helpful good luck mate - and remember, theres never a problem that bondo/putty cant fix¬!!

jealous jealous jealous nice one mate

heh no probs man - so many experienced folk around here - I wasnt sure if u were joking or being serious. My comments werent meant to be insulting - hope u foudn the post interesting and TROOP on!

Hey Rick - I hope u were joking - but just in case u werent; heres the link to Thayne and Tom were talking abt ------------ its abt rounding the edge of a cut bit of armour

short people of the world unite! the tall-lies are taking over!!!! damn u all and ur tallness *runs off to buy heel lifts*

to the best of my knowledge - yes good luck with ur build!