breaker1crazy Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 Hey everyone, I know most everyone uses kits or a vacumforming method for their armor but I have a 3d printer and found some plans for the new Force Awakens helmet online. So I printed it out on my printer but of course it wasn't completly smooth so I'm using bondo to smooth it out. Working on sanding it write now but I wanted to know how I should paint it to get a glossy finish on the helmet. All the other posts on this say to use a Rustoleum proffesional enamyl spray paint, I have no problem using this but all the other paint jobs seem to be on ABS plastic or something similiar that already is smooth and fairly glossy. Is there a better paint for the job? White primer? Should I sand after the primer, after I get the white on, and buff the clear? Thanks for any suggestions you can offer. I'll post some pictures of the helmet later (phone just took a swim). If your interested the helmet files I used can be found here-http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1094858 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eqdizzle[TK] Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 look at this as a process. I've done a few pieces that were 3d printed and you'll be doing priming, sanding, re-priming, re-sanding until you have a completely smooth starting surface. I did use some Bondo finish putty (~$3 in a tube at Wally World), but used sparingly. After applications of your primer, you'll be doing topcoats followed by wet sanding. Light and slow does it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breaker1crazy Posted December 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 look at this as a process. I've done a few pieces that were 3d printed and you'll be doing priming, sanding, re-priming, re-sanding until you have a completely smooth starting surface. I did use some Bondo finish putty (~$3 in a tube at Wally World), but used sparingly. After applications of your primer, you'll be doing topcoats followed by wet sanding. Light and slow does it! Ok, that's what I thought I should do. What grit do you recommend going too? When I was restoring a car I sanded it down to 2000, is that ok or do I only need to go to 1000? 1500? When I did the car after I wet sanded at 2000 I buffed and waxed it. (didn't learn till then that there is a difference). Should I do the same for the helmet? Thanks again for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandatrooper[TK] Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 IMO: sand with 400 then 600 to take down the bumps, wash with dish detergent to remove oils, prime with a filler primer, sand again. If there's exposed spots from sanding prime with regular primer. Then base coat white, then gloss white. Let it dry a week, wet sand if needed. Stick to the same brands of paint and avoid humid days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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