Zinfer

Right I agree with where you're going. I do believe this is from walking. The klick-klacking around is the edge of the inner left thigh riding up over the lip of the butt plate, which stresses the plastic, leading to those fractures. Surprisingly all appears fine on the right, but I should take a closer look at it. I have felt the piece making contact with the butt plate while walking.

dblcross I think you responded in the wrong thread. Yea the split rivet goes on the side that hard fastens to the cod section. The button snap secures to an S-spring socket snap. Andrea told me that RS Propmasters is 12-13mm. I'm going to try ordering 12mm and see if that fits, I just want to replace the elastic strap, which means replacing both the split rivet and S-spring snap but not sure the exact size of the S-spring snap on the butt plate portion. (hope you follow me on that)

These were original from RS Propmasters?

I am searching for replacement Butt Elastic strap snap. I believe it's the Newey 5/4 Configuration? Where can these be found? I need to replace my elastic and would love to keep more on hand for spares.

Ok guys, so 3 years down the line I'm developing some substantial fracturing inner left thigh. I think it's because the butt plate is crackalackin with the left thigh. Maybe I need to expose more of my butt and remove some butt plate material? At any rate I don't think I can repair this any further, just seems to be getting worse and worse by the year. Be nice if I cold slice a 1/4 moon out of this and join an internal E6000 piece. But for now I'm just using the cloth/cotton t-shirt soaked with superglue to reinforce internally and covered with gaffers tape. I've talked with Rob of RS propmasters through Andrea to get a replacement LEFT INNER THIGH. I don't want to have to go through ALL that awful rear mirror, straight line measuring front and back, so thinking use the old piece to pattern a new piece. Thank God for E6000, seperate the old halves, use the pattern and reglue a new piece in place. PVC plastic, not ABS. Idealized TK Stunt. Let me know your feelings. I can't just half moon a repair on this right? I think I'm approaching this problem the proper way, but let me know your thoughts.

This is the first time I feel like I've been had with RS. They've always been straight up. Just coming out with PVC, then killing it 3 years later...man. That just stinks for those of us that went that route.

Hey guys! On my 3rd year in the Legion, about 52 Troops under my belt. So probably still a newb. I've really enjoyed my RS Propmasters Re-imagined ANH Stunt Stormtrooper over the years. I enjoy the post troop ritual of Clorox wipes over all the insides and Novus polishing, White shoe paste buffing. I have had a couple of issues. Some fractures I had to cut out, some I've done the superglue/cloth fiberglass internal repair method with gaffers tape over it. One was really bad at the lower wire of the kidney plate. So much so I got a new care package of a brand new kidney plate from Rob. A new series of fractures has been taking place where my inner left thigh is clacking on the butt plate. About 4 fractures in that one area (superglue/t-shirt cloth method) and it doesn't seem to be relenting. So I talked to Andrea about perhaps replacing that piece. To my shock I was told they no longer make the PVC version. Now I'm like - how hard is it going to become to get replacement parts? The idea behind my investment was regular periodic maintenance and replacement of individual parts should it be necessary. But now to hear this. I am very concerned for the future of my beautiful costume. Is it going to get more difficult? Should I consider starting all over again with ABS? I mean the key selling point of the PVC was that it was UV Resistant. And I'm outside ALOT in my TK. I shudder to think of PVC and painting as I can't just buff out a scuff, not to mention paint chipping. I've really, really enjoyed my PVC so much.

Gah! Finally broke the last rivet loose. Now to progress with the repair. I will not tolerate rust stained armor as a Deathstar Stormtrooper. Rivet, washer, elastics replacement. This demanded immediate attention. When selling split rivet assemblies please ensure STAINLESS hardware. We SWEAT in these things. Salty Sweat. In practice, kitting down after a troop involves packing your armor up into a Husky Bin, perhaps a post troop dinner or lunch then an hour or two drive back home. There is no AIR OUT time until you arrive back home. Please hear these words. Split rivets are the hardest to replace involving this theatrical costume. They are the hardest thing to get removed and the hardest on the plastic to remove. You only want to install these ONCE in the lifetime of the costume. This is BAD.

I am completely unsure the issue is stainless rivets or the washers themselves. Noting that the surface of the washers is heavily rusted. Seriously am I the only TK that's had this happen?

Is replacement a normal maintenance cycle? On my second year trooping and all 6 internal rivets are heavily rusted and staining stored thigh armor.

So after a recent troop on Memorial Day, A parade I commenced with the ritual post troop cleanup/recharge & polish. Came across my Chestplate elastic loops in VERY poor condition and in immediate need of replacement. First, I can't remember what diameter these are supposed to be (length of material to cut to have stitched into a loop). As an alternative - can I order a SUPPLY of loops for backups on hand? Secondly, wouldn't it be more rubust converting to snaps rather than brackets? I'm torn and could use some advice on longevity/durability. And looks especially. Thanks for any replies.

Now for my final fix. I had a few experiences with perpetration collecting in the rubber gloves. I was advised to use cotton inserts. I did that and felt that took care of it until one day recently, an all outdoor Car show for Cancer in which a high five was given and a drop went shooting out of the glove again. This is highly embarrassing. So I sought out more advice. Was told that a Nomex glove would take care of this, with the use of the plastic hand plates. Purchased the Nomex and about ready to start in on the strapping for it. I've heard just using 1 strap isn't necessarily the best approach. Should also have another at the wrist. Perhaps a button there. But I've also seen Panda attach his hand plates in the same fashion as the elbow strapping. But if I do that I would not be able to ever go back to the dishwashing gloves.

T-shirt & CA is most likely to succeed. However after careful consideration on how early this was caught and the visibility of the area I opted to trim out the troubled area. Taking into consideration Cableguys comments that it is not a repair of the split, but a reinforcement. I didn't want it creeping back on me in a few troops worth much later. Trimmed to zero or nearly zero return edge. Essentially removing the split entirely. In doing so, hoping to relieve a stress point.

First crack on this armor has begun. Chest piece, center neck. I'll need to take a photo yet. Not sure if I should try to cut most of it out. Really not sure the procedure on this before it worsens. Make that two cracks. Hadn't noticed the second until the photos.

If you'll pardon me, one more question; I hand washed the canvas belt with Oxi-Clean and it did a fabulous job. The problem stemmed from all the singeing of threads. Well - now more threads of course. Is there a better way than using a lighter as it causes some stains on occasion. I've found using a lighter has been practically the only way to get them all off troop after troop.

Those look alot more beefy than what I'm trying to bend and form. Which is good because I've had breakage before. A little pricey for just a dozen of them but I mainly only need them for the kidney/buttplate I spose.

Any recommendations on that heavier material? Hopefully a complete snap setup prefabbed. I think the procedure with the snaps is CA glue if I'm not mistaken and to avoid the metal. Heard horror stories of it deforming the exterior. Going to look up a good snap thread.

The Jury is still out on these V-Tabs. Seems to be effective for alignment but the stress point does cause some to break or work the E6000 loose. Added a 4th V-tab after a particular photo showed the left corner of the butt plate riding up over the kidney plate under the holster. One of these days I may just try the snap method. I like the lineage of OEM but...really not sure snaps would be any more effective (I'd probably then have a problem with all those glued on snaps coming loose or falling off and would probably also have to use CA on them). One step at a time.

Out of curiosity, unsnapped the canvas belt. Been a couple of years and through all the singeing of loose threads, I've got a few brown marks on it. Was interested on the maintenance side (and I've done some forum reading on this) if Oxi Clean would be a good thing to try on it. I know it'll probably create more threads but was considering it with a brush. Wondering if it's ok to just dip the entire belt into a water/oxi-clean solution with PVC plastic attached. I rivetted the plastic to the canvas as the darned thing kept unsnapping and breaking loose with standard snaps. Would there be a reaction between oxi-clean and the PVC? Or should I try a squirt bottle and just try to hit the canvas portion alone? My shoulder elastic bands are getting a little grody looking too but they are CA glued directly to the inside of the armor. Wonder if Oxi would do well with those too. Non soaked just applied and worked into it. And yea I noticed my left butt plate is riding up over my kidney. Maybet YET ANOTHER 4th V-Tab.

I found them on Trooperbay, but $1 a piece with shipping another $10. Picked up about 20 of them just to have on hand. I replaced the strip and it's now like new and doing great with the doubled up and CA applied with Zap accelerator. Thanks!

What are those rivets even called? Specs on them? I'd like to get a supply before I start on the cod. Split Rivets?

Ok, so here's an issue I am having. Firstly I probably need to source these rivets for the crotch area. I've putzed with this before and everytime I do, the legs break, so I'm going to need to find a good supply of them. But essentially my issue is, when tugged, the elastic tends to want to slip over the retaining rivet washer. I mean I could try folding the material a few times, then a hole. But has anyone come up with anything bulletproofing this area? I've panicked a few times when I pulled this out at a troop to get suited and struggled to get it back on if even for just that one troop. I'd like to fix this pronto somewhere in between my practically weekly troops!

I tried sticky backed cloth side velcro and it's still holding. Not sure it's totally stopping it, but I think it's increasing the longevity by maybe a tad.

I'll have to look for a supply of those cotton inner gloves maybe. I probably should look into cloth gloves as I've heard after a while the rubber ones tend to rip.

Alright this is starting to get gross and embarrassing. My fingertips are doused in water and come out like a prune. Waving is dangerous with all the sloshing going on and I'm afraid I may leak visible water when waving. So, I've been told the answer is jogging gloves. Now, is there a simple method to attach the armor portion via sewing or something? I've seen elastic cuffs and I've also seen them fall off during a parade. Need to fix this sloppy sweaty mess.