TK 3181

I apologize for my ignorance, but is this TE armor Styrene or ABS? Here's a trick that I have used on ABS armor. (not sure if styrene has the same properties.) Take some scrap ABS and whittle it with a razor knife to produce a small pile of plastic shavings. Next get yourself some 100% acetone. Place the shavings in a GLASS bowl and add just enough acetone to make a paste. The acetone will break down the ABS into a liquid form. Using a toothpick, "roll" the liquid ABS into the cracks and allow to cure. As the Acetone evaporates, (fairly quickly) the ABS will return to it's solid form once again. Then, you can sand, polish, and paint the repair as you see fit. (it actually sets up with a glossy finish.) It's an old model builder's trick that I've applied to costuming.

OK. I will try and post some soon.

FYI for those of you who don't have one already. I have built this unit many times now. It is CHEAP and people love the sound. Plus, no wires or stuff hanging on your belt. You'll need this: ----------- And from Radio Shack... Small guage wire (Red, Black, and Yellow) 9 Volt battery holder 3M mounting tape Black Project box Knob Soft touch On/Off button (red) This, along with some ingenuity, and some nice black wire loom and you can build your own in-helmet voice amp. for under $20.

What about troopers who are a little round in the middle? I heard that you end up looking like a pregnant Stormtrooper. The full ab plate connected to the cod piece is slimming to fuller figured troops.

I use the aforementioned Magic Eraser for quick cleaning. Another local trooper uses a microfiber detailing cloth (for auto applications) and he says it works great. A tip for those of you who are posting about blaster marks on your armor: I painted my blaster with satin clear coat after I weathered it. This keeps the black paint from leaving scuff marks all over your arms and chest.

I have two fans that I salvaged from some old computers. They are twelve volt. I mounted them near the bottom of my helmet to the sides of the aerator screws. I did this by making an aluminum bracket to space them away from the helmet wall. They are slim, out of the way, and run off of a single 9 volt. However, they do not really cool me as much as they just keep lens fogging down and move the carbon dioxide out of the helmet by creating a draft of fresh air. Lemme know if you want to see pics.