ATA HIPS Test Helmet

[nolekhan[501st]]

So two years ago I ordered my ATA kit, starting cutting the helmet, stopped...and ordered a new helmet. I've decided to pick up that helmet and finish the assembly. I still haven't assembled the rest of the kit so this is still a practice run. I cut the flash two years ago. Today I assembled and put in putty.

 

What do you think?

 

Edited July 20, 2012 by nolekhan

[Locitus[Admin]]

With some more work on the teeth and the ears and you should be fine.

[nolekhan[501st]]

I didn't realize I was doing so well. Could you be more specific?

[Locitus[Admin]]

You have some flashing in the teeth that could be sanded out, and the filling behind the ears should be sanded smooth.

[nolekhan[501st]]

Thank you.

[DudeSidious]

Bondo is a good filler.

[nolekhan[501st]]

I used an open tube of Kwik Plastik leftover from repairs on my fiberglass TR helmet.

[gazmosis[501st]]

ATA usually gives two sets of ears in case somethinging goes wrong with the first set. If you need filler, I'd try again.

[nolekhan[501st]]

This helmet is several years old, most likely from before ATA started sending two pairs. My other ATA helmet is unopened but only a few months difference in age from this one, so I don't know if that one has two sets. Had I known that it would take me two years to get to it, I would have waited for ABS instead of HIPS.

 

I'm not too worried about the filler now and my next helmet will profit from my mistakes.

[nolekhan[501st]]

I did some sanding with a dremel and very fine sandpaper. Any remarks before I start painting/Plasti Dipping?

 

[nolekhan[501st]]

Quick question, having trouble searching for an answer. In many photos, the helmet trim looks very shiny. Are people painting glossy coats over their painted and assembled helmets? Are they just cleaning and shining the rubber trim after painting? Are people even using glossy coats or just using shiny white paint?

[Rezablad3[TK]]

I use Rustoleum High Gloss Professional (The silver can, make sure its the high gloss) I use that for my TK buckets I paint and you can get a very nice gloss from them. You will have to spray it a little heavier thank usual. put on a few light coats and the a few heavy coats. This is out of the can, just the paint itself..

 

Edited July 31, 2012 by rezablad3