Inkedfritos686 Posted July 6, 2016 Report Share Posted July 6, 2016 So hey everyone, I thought about it and decided to move my build thread to the actual sub forum. So if you have been viewing the accidental one on the main forum of ANH, I won't be adding to that one anymore. Anyways welcome and glad to be a part of the community. Without further waiting, let's get the show on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dejango[TK] Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 So starting fresh in this new location here's a recap of what I've already done. -drilled, sanded, and polished the teeth. My awesome little guide holes. Cut with a dremel..who couldn't love a smile like that haha. Sanded and now polished. -glue the back of helmet together with E6000, magnets and clamps. The blue tape on magnets is because they protect my helmet from any unwanted marks while still retaining their hold. Tape around the clamps to protect helmet as well. -helmet now after 24 hour wait period. Still working on the super tiny cap in back. -coated the inside of the front and back of helmet with plasti dip. - covered outside of helmet with plastic bag and tons of masking tape. 1st coat: 2nd coat: It looks a lot cleaner after the second coat. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Today's project is working on tackling the exterior paint job. Hopefully my experience with painting models and miniature figures pays off...even if it was years ago. Hovi Mics: This picture is after applying the second coat of Testors #1747 "gloss black." I have read and seen that people are saying that the mic tips and vocoder should actually be painted satin black. If so I'll go back and go over them later. I then went ahead and started to attempt the vocoder. I made light pencil lines around what I think is the outline. Added a lot of masking tape to make a protective layer around the vocoder. 1st attempt: Needs more roughing up and a nice fine brush for the edges. Not anywhere close to where I want it to be though. While taking a break from the vocoder, I decided to tape around the frown. I made pencil marks around the teeth where they connect to the frown I think. 1st coat(teeth): Need another coat or two to really get where I want them to be. Question: When cutting out the 8 teeth, there are two extra left over. One on either side of the frown. Like this: Do I paint over this area in gray or no? Any tips or advice is appreciated. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pewpewpew[TK] Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Here ya go: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/16270-anh-frown-reference-pix/'>http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/16270-anh-frown-reference-pix/</a><br><br> By the looks of things, since the originals were hand painted, there are no actual "rules" regarding this. The teeth can be as clean and crisp as you like, or gnarled and rough looking. At least that's my interpretation of the pinned reference link above. Perhaps somebody can clarify this if necessary. I'm still bumbling along as well. I think there are some helmet painting videos on the Trooperbay YouTube channel. Keep it up. Looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Thanks for the advice. I really like how the original helmets from ANH were hand painted. It really gives off a nice feel to the whole set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucnak[TK] Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 I think you might need to mix your black paint more. I only did one coat on my vocoder and that was sufficient. Your paint looks like it's still a little translucent. Give the paint a good mixing using a toothpick, let it sit for a day and then paint again. I had that issue with the grey when I was painting the frown. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Be careful when matching the face to the back! Don't just drill the dimples and think it will line up. My AM 2.0 I just got in May was way off and I ended up trying multiple times to line it up. Ultimately I drilled the middle dimple on one side that lined up the brow best, then the middle dimple on the other side. Before you drill the top and bottom holes, squeeze the cheeks together to beat match the ear, then install cheek holding screw. Then the bottom the ear, then you can mark and drill the top and bottom holes. It took a lot of trial and error but I got it really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 (edited) Here's my pictures. Just trying to help you avoid the "vent" holes I ended up making! Edited July 7, 2016 by SheaJeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/26301-NE-helmet-build Found this link too. It helped me understand the cheek screw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 I think you might need to mix your black paint more. I only did one coat on my vocoder and that was sufficient. Your paint looks like it's still a little translucent. Give the paint a good mixing using a toothpick, let it sit for a day and then paint again. I had that issue with the grey when I was painting the frown.Thanks for the tip. I'll do that today so that I can go over it again tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/26301-NE-helmet-build Found this link too. It helped me understand the cheek screw. This is going to help me a lot. Thank you. Alligning this helmet is such a pain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 So far today, I repainted the vocoder with a second coat. Starting to get better. 2nd coat: I also went and did a second coat on the frown. 2nd coat: I worked on installing the hovi Mics as best as I could. I look at some threads and improvised from there. Since the AM helmet isn't properly proportioned, the same goes for the areas where the mics must be placed. So I went ahead and bought rubber washers since from what I see, they give a great hold on the plastic. I went ahead and lined up the first mic as straight as I could. Drilled a hole and did this. I did the same steps as the first mic. I worked at aligning them both so they would look straight. Then installed the second one. Does this look right? It seems straight to me. What do others think? I also made the mistake and tightened a little to much. It's not noticeable on the outside at all. The inside not so much. Will this slow me down anyway or count against me? Could I cover the area up with smoke or black foam? Since I was thinking of adding foam into the side for look and comfortability. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 I was just working on the same thing tonight! I took some scraps and molded then by hand as reinforcements since the helmet was so thin in that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 I was just working on the same thing tonight! I took some scraps and molded then by hand as reinforcements since the helmet was so thin in that area. So I can cover up the indents right there using the technique you used? Just asking since I don't know if I'll be able to fix the indents Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 This question is open to anyone. Does anyone know which screws are for the bucket? Ears? Or My kit didn't come with instructions. These screws came out of the packaging that include the inside head harness/mic tips. What about anyone else who has done or seen an AM 2.0? I haven't been able to find a thread so far that details specifically which screws. Unless I'm blind. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 I just made those white pieces as a "washer" or backing piece. I still have the space on the front side behind the tip but you can see it. I have to be careful not to over tighten as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Behind the ear in the center is the short round head. Outside top of ear uses the two flat head long ones. I believe the bottom of the ear uses the short flat head. I added a short round head to pull the cheeks together. It wasn't even no the kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 This is so weird- it's like looking into a mirror tonight. I'm about 10 minutes ahead of you with my AM 2.0 helmet build. I just painted the screws and will install the ears tomorrow. Lens is cut/drilled and ready to install. I'll figure out the padding tomorrow too. The electronics may be another story... That's going to take some time. I'm concentrating on getting ready for approval now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 This is so weird- it's like looking into a mirror tonight. I'm about 10 minutes ahead of you with my AM 2.0 helmet build. I just painted the screws and will install the ears tomorrow. Lens is cut/drilled and ready to install. I'll figure out the padding tomorrow too. The electronics may be another story... That's going to take some time. I'm concentrating on getting ready for approval now. Good job on the progress! I can seem to find my decals or lens. Might go to Home Depot and get a welding green lens. Seems to be of stronger and darker material. Can I still put helmet together and then put on all the decals last? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 I fitted the lens with the face off. Put the bolts through the holes, line it up then punch the holes to go over the lenses. Put some #6 nuts and washers on to hold the lens on. Then disassemble and install the face to the helmet. YOU NEED TO INSTALL THE FRONT BROW DECALS BEFORE ASSEMBLY. They go under the rubber. You can install all the other ones at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Finished mine this morning! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Well today has not been as productive. Tried to put some decals on. My hand was so shaky that air bubbles got under the decals. Tried to fix it and ended up ripping the decals. Looks like I'm going to have to hand paint. I heard the hand painted looking decals look the best but my hands can't stay still to save my life Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheaJeff[TK] Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I believe Trooperbay has templates for painting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inkedfritos686 Posted July 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I believe Trooperbay has templates for painting.Thanks for the advice on where to look. My helmet won't be built for another day or two. I really want to get this paint job right. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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