My first helmet build (ATA)

[Canadianflier]

So hello,

 

The box has finally arrived and I'm getting things together to start my build. One of my first questions is ... should I paint the interior of the helmet pieces black before I assemble or after? Or should I just leave it plain white?

I am thinking before, to minimize the amount of possible overspray through the various holes I will be cutting into the face piece.

 

Any thoughts?

Edited May 28, 2013 by Canadianflier

[Palpatine1977]

Congrats Well, I have seen both methods, but would definitely recommend before, cut it out first, and then paint the inside is what I would do

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

I painted before cutting anything, used a satin black so it wasn't shinny inside, if you do get any overspray you can just rub off with some polish.

[Clamps[TK]]

I chose not to paint the inside of mine, has not been an issue for me, but for folks that have done it, it looks nice. 

[Minuteman]

In fact I was never in need of a black interior. Use mesh behind the teeth and your face wont be visible for other people.

[Canadianflier]

Okay first cuts are made. ....

 

Almost threw up a few times but I think it looks okay to my untrained eye.  Man this stuff can stress a guy out a bit

 

Just a bit of sanding the edges to do and I think I will call it quits for today.

[Some1]

What tool did you use for your cuts?

[Canadianflier]

I used an Xacto knife and followed pandatroopers built tutorial. Too be honest a set of different size scissors would have helped out on the curvy parts. I went over the Xacto cuts afew times and then snapped out the cut off pieces a little at a time.

 

Oh and at the sharp corner over the ear I just drilled out a round hole to stop any future cracks from forming.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Canadianflier

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

My favourite tool on my build was my dremel, but looks like you are going well with your xacto knife

[Canadianflier]

Well painted the interior flat black. Although not sure i would do that again, a bit messy when trimming out the eyes and nose bits.

 

On to the ears, left ear is mostly trimmed. Just a bit of fine tuning to do. And man are they fiddle bits to get just right.

 

Pics to follow.

[Canadianflier]

Ok my progress so far.  The back of my left ear has a gapy spot and I might redo the left ear.  I am happy with how the right ear turned out though.

 

Any coments???

 

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Looking good, I did get mine quite flat but took a lot of hand sanding to achieve it, just don't go too far or you will end up with really narrow ears. The look is up to you as screen accurate lids had all sorts of gaps around the ears

[Canadianflier]

So am getting ready for the painting stage. I have the Testors grey 1138 and Humbrol 14 French blue.

But do I need gloss black or would semigloss be just as good?

[Canadianflier]

Okay then Humbrol 85 satin coal black it is then. Looks like a pretty good black to me, but I'm not the expert.

 

Pics to follow later this week once I get the second coat of paint on.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

I used a satin black for the vocoder, and a gloss black for the lines and edging on the lid

[Canadianflier]

So, while I wait for the paint to dry.

 

Does anyone glue the rubber brow strip and S trim on? Or is it just put in place without any glue? And what type of glue would be best E6000 or something else?

Edited June 22, 2013 by Canadianflier

[Canadianflier]

So finished most of the painting.  Now just waiting for the stencils to help me paint the stripes.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Nice work with the brush