mikedwelle94[TK] Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 I recently finished assembling my styrene CAP helmet, and I'm ready for my first coat of primer. The forecast high temperatures for this and next week are mostly in the high teens to mid twenties. It will be 40 degrees F (4.4 C) on Monday Jan 6. Living in Maine, which is infamous for its terribly long and cold winter season, I'd really rather not wait 'till April, which is when it starts to warm up. Any suggestions on what I could do to get in a good paint job at these low temperatures? Or would it be worth waiting a few months? If I get my painting done soon, I may be able to submit my 501st application sometime before mid-February. I was thinking about filling up a container of heated water and dropping the spray can in to warm up. I could probably run outside, paint the helmet quickly, and bring it inside to dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolo[TK] Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 You don't have an area to paint it inside? Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolo[TK] Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Oh and it's -17f in montreal lol Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedwelle94[TK] Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 You don't have an area to paint it inside? Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk Well, I would paint in the garage (that's where I painted my EFX during the summer), but it's nearly as cold in there as it is outside. You could say the garage is a little TOO well ventilated. I'm still dependent on my parents (age 19), and they've made it pretty clear they don't want spray painting going on in the house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandatrooper[TK] Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Make sure your lid is sanded and washed with detergent. Warm up the can of paint by immersing it in warm (not hot) water for several minutes. Warm up the lid with a hair dryer and paint it with a light coat quickly outside. Let it tack up and dry. Then repeat the process. Be careful not to get dust or lint on the helmet between coats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedwelle94[TK] Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Thanks, brother! I'll give this a try on Monday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazmosis[501st] Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Let us know how this works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTrooper Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 It'll work, I've painted in freezing weather before. You just have to use super light coats and give it extra time in between coats. Also if you don't prep correctly the cold will minimize interactions as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedwelle94[TK] Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Let us know how this works. I'll be posting the outcome right here, as well as on my Magma build thread (under Other 501st Costumes) when time permits. I read somewhere that styrene takes paint better than ABS, so I'm hoping that makes it easier to get good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattrooper Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 I would work on something else until it warms up if you can't do it inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazmosis[501st] Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Insert Jeopardy music here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK bondservnt[501st] Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 take a large box and put a pvc pipe stand inside with duct tape on a ball of newspaper on top cut the box so it can lay flat cut some holes in the sides of the box... 2 holes per side 8 holes have some tape handy bring the box and lid inside to keep it warm at room temp. let the can be room temp. paint the primer on the lid in the garage on the stand inside the box. when you have completed the painting fold the box up and lightly tape it closed to keep the helmet insulated. throw a plastic bag over the top carefull to not be dusty. then insulate the box with a sleeping bag over the top. don't cover completely. after about an hour bring the box inside to let the primer cure at 70d you only need the box. keep it in a bathroom as that's usually the room that has a smaller airspace. when the primer cures, then you can do this over time to keep the helmet in the paintbox and transfer it from garage to bathroom as you paint. make sure that you don't touch the helmet for at least 4 days after painting the final coats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedwelle94[TK] Posted January 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I decided to paint it today. Also decided to go against advice of leaving it alone for a few days! Behold...the CAP Magma Trooper helmet! Helmet front Helmet right Helmet left Helmet back Comparison of helmet to armor I really like how it turned out. It's better than the paint job I did on my EFX, but back then, I had no idea how to prep the surface. For this helmet, I used 220 grit sandpaper to rough up the surface, then I did a thorough wash with warm water and dish soap. Making sure your plastic is ready for paint really makes a big difference. Thank you to all for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.