Jump to content

CableGuy’s HDPE ANH Stunt helmet (DA PROPS)


CableGuy

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone,

 

So, after a long time of thinking about it, I finally went ahead and ordered an HDPE helmet from DA PROPS (UK...edit, now France...). The kit was delivered in good time and included all the the parts required for the build.

 

b2ea8e7ec3a0f2ccd0838ec0afdeef89.jpg&key=e301564aed880c7d789063e7699a81d42e398c6cd632042f2a4885dabf00536c

 

bf5403c9187fba8fe3cbda7b233719ac.jpg&key=7a68738308086c9a2880aea9ab38afd3c5dcd93de7ffc9f513e2c0636b30097d

 

886f1f333589c0d9ba0929b6e6278b2b.jpg&key=1c025dbf3e68d14546e8534073d1ccd13c72cfad92da5b41033a457bfdb4cc2e

 

As many of you might know, I’m a little particular with OTTKs and requested this to be supplied un-trimmed. As below, where the back section meets the tubes on the face plate, the lower edges were quite flared. After a rough trim and trial positioning I knew that I didn’t want to cut the flares off so I used heat to correct them.

 

09abe6056e099e12c2871e0ce8fe016e.jpg&key=3a4f3495c664a2bb93af21286adc5bf9234afdf0dd6993c737d60718d94de8d0

 

9d93510448769ead73f2b14eb55ec62f.jpg&key=bedc0021958f57f606dfc33fdfa4670f5003cb1dbf456be0c1efd37f162186b3

 

4544e76106ee004d457e9fee7c6cb18c.jpg&key=df7953375fe8e83244ab8bef387b3b3aad6fca9164e500b3cd7c8cce93e92353

 

0384d58957fb8e7576fb6c31a2f5471b.jpg&key=658c3bf5194425c4079e9902d9f5b372ef3a8253dcc2898d351f79b3697b77d3

 

278db5133077124e35905e10e5dad628.jpg&key=ac5c8147ba332a2041363826562e78870d432f4340e6f73fb01fc56f982c452b

 

cb2a9b7b529c1ce0112f2506bdb941d2.jpg&key=a9ec1e0430a183d448fbf9d7a6094de47d757aa6c1d418af3a84c24f8f670f86

 

 

I’ve made a start on the eyes, using various screen used helmet pictures for reference. Whilst I’m not looking to emulate a specific Stunt trooper from ANH, I really want to capture the feel of the originals. In that light, I hand cut the eyes with a Stanley knife, periodically comparing (split screen using LiveCollage) to screen used helmets. Starting small and slowly taking more and more away.

 

6d883eada24df48224c0212419e98d8c.jpg&key=a4f2e7a93bb8d68ee8e785a8cc6a58863d44bf9919ed6b8b2d53ecefa0aa8a97

 

3caa1d8ca0ccbbb11d57582851994b61.jpg&key=50bd04db0d8517cfd037d4395422e8526add945a97241f7b245f117a2f80bf63

 

c23fe780b442b2c13cbc5891e36ae33f.jpg&key=47d2a87e0183b8c549734e231e7faffd5e8968c49a3a323140778e40fe05f3ca

 

7506f96148720042bf17972da7519d93.jpg&key=bb70e977592cfea6ca73b4d0ba3bb4d9d1ef31ca5029615ac955ac5755766078

 

dd24d84f08c9c7fed00f58b79f46ea72.jpg&key=697f58786e598c8673c0e901a91a715d6dad1c259a82bfed5cc067ed312eddac

 

a4a7e62e36433e3a405f6a45fa977c1c.jpg&key=bef3897bbec9050b61ba20388d99aed0ffecb9650788140b84fa96c9084f08d9

 

b29d66d9bd4bba5aa01d9f8a9eb19468.jpg&key=2b80730c3d470ed642117af821dd3be4d6ffb48c70a5f9d1ea8a42cc2b0bed99

 

f5821530fd1660e615f7ad80844770ae.jpg&key=91fb3b53b0181c2c72df85d189410457f29f9b8e92f3f68980c441ed6f1789a1

 

 

More to come soon.... :-)

 

 

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi all,

As I look ahead to painting, I can’t find an exact answer for the paint process of the originals. Here’s what I believe ‘might’ be correct so far...

•Helmet constructed minus the ears
•primed with red oxide paint (no ears)
•primed again (I believe) with white primer (no ears??)
•then gloss final coat (including ears)

Does that sound about right?

Not sure if they masked the eyes and teeth?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's exactly the way I believe the original helmets were painted and evidence proves it. No masking of the eyes or teeth. Just focus on spraying the outside of the helmet and don't worry about any overspray on the inside. Overspray can be seen on the inside the original helmets so that's something you want, ideally.

 

If you're going for an aged look then go for an off-white gloss spray rather than bright white.

 

Good luck :duim:

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's exactly the way I believe the original helmets were painted and evidence proves it. No masking of the eyes or teeth. Just focus on spraying the outside of the helmet and don't worry about any overspray on the inside. Overspray can be seen on the inside the original helmets so that's something you want, ideally.
 
If you're going for an aged look then go for an off-white gloss spray rather than bright white.
 
Good luck :duim:

Awesome - thanks for your input, Paul. I’m pretty sure you said similar on a thread a couple of years back? I’ve been reading so much recently I’ve kind of forgotten what came from where. Your knowledge is always welcomed as far as I’m concerned. :-)

I’ll look at the off white spray, too. Still not 100% sure if I’ll do a “day one of filming” look or how they look today. Probably the latter.

Thanks again.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi all,

A little more progress made this weekend.

•Faceplate and back/cap aligned and fixed (2x pop rivets either side.
•Ears sanded and shaped to fit, holes drilled and ears fitted (temporarily - bolts in but nuts not fully tightened in theses pics)
•initial opening up of the teeth. Used my favourite Dremel tool for this. Will use files for the finer work.

Really please with it so far. I’m about 85-90% happy with the face and ear alignment.

26925b0bf81aab3148141a9ae1addbd0.jpg

7af78d0df943071b2e439b4d7c4b6cf8.jpg

6a64ae0432a2cca9c2e11e3761bf250d.jpg

b903c442545aa0fa59948a29958e40c8.jpg

d33dca466da4634f368354db0fa4fc4f.jpg

640848bbb92f6507c02727ba85b9bca3.jpg

438aa0eeaf514560ae91a7adcd1fd3b6.jpg

45f980d45bd2e71d6c3c164d4f592772.jpg

565c5da7866a9f6a220560d5242c8c8c.jpge22f430c76b2aeea1b292686a3afc970.jpg

8fba641241caedd7e1c13245e3f8afb1.jpg

0aa8bd6c0d6babab558d56b4c8684df8.jpg

Paints are ordered so that’s hopefully not too far away. :-)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

More progress. As well as tidying up the teeth, the first two coats of oxide red primer are on.

After a quick wipe down with some isopropyl alcohol, two coats of paint around 10 minutes apart.

bac08f75a35b8977c19fcad9a13d69a1.jpg

09b36aea4888bf61300444a7e58a557c.jpg

bcc2f9716770970eea2e3e1160ada68a.jpg

852b1600a8485ceaf39116b2dc466b6f.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, ukswrath said:

The red primer is so menacing, love it

 

9 hours ago, Harbinger said:

Great job so far!

 

Thank you, gents. :duim:

 

It's great seeing it in this state. Whilst it's a little hard to explain, it makes it feel so close to the originals and gives it a real nostalgic vibe. Can't wait to get the next coats done. :)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, the helmet is now white. First off, Hycote White primer.

d8cab83fad1269f32631800491e306ff.jpg

e8320a27b5898876a1ecf86898684953.jpg

2dd06f625560d91d3c99207ac8d5d87c.jpg


Ears attached ready for gloss.

534a4a66efb1c2b2cc0438919502e5ed.jpg

6c61f490421961163576f88343ed4c02.jpg

caf35839c22966b71285362a16dd86cc.jpg

Even attaching the ears caused a small amount of damage. Or, “weathering”.... ;-)

dd4f8b5fcc9c9b06f49999df732b18ba.jpg


Now on to the gloss white. Halfords Appliance Gloss White has been referenced in the UK many times and is also the spray I used for my previous re-spray. It’s proper white so I will not be going straight for an aged look.
This ended up being about 2&1/2 coats (if that’s possible).

20ac5ebf2f5cf208bb74da07dcede289.jpg

157aa281c5b8aa193c067e3c5cff0f0f.jpg

f4973471bba47a5a61477667ced10053.jpg

04219c3d118d0ed4fd4772caa2365cf7.jpg

c0f366803e455bea2107e9fc0ab4e5bb.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, troopermaster said:

Make sure to leave the helmet alone for a few days to allow the paint to cure properly before you start the detailing. I know it's hard but it will be worth it in the end.

Paint curing 101, funny how a lot of people don't understand the importance. 

Edited by ukswrath
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, I wasn’t really happy with the finish as it had quite a few imperfections (yes, I know the originals were pretty bad too, lol). Not sure if this was caused by the paint, weather, my technique or what...

55dfa9bfe2281b2fac81c5779a66fe76.jpg

452b789d065ff1af6587f7e01ac61e02.jpg

I was planning another coat to try and cover this finish. Although, I really wasn’t happy with the Appliance White as it was just TOO white, especially when compared with my armour. Thankfully, I was speaking with Paul ( @troopermaster) about some of his latest pieces and he kindly gave some tips and recommended a different shade. This is a MUCH better colour now, offering a shade that’s nearly a perfect match for my armour.


Firstly, Appliance White against my 1.5mm ABS belt;

502520d051606fbc1bfa30bc83c6ec4d.jpg


Next, Paul’s recommendation against the same belt;

c90cdffd453088ac364f4027214885bf.jpg

Side by side (photos taken on two different days so lighting is different, making the belt look a different shade - look at belt to helmet to see the difference);

f5208ac47a9d6b11df63f55a0d79dc63.jpg


Not sure if it’s the paint, that’s it’s applied over the other gloss white, environment or what but the finish is much smoother this time around;

6b9a7510abcc6c730f91a78ffe53cbd0.jpg


87831e35ef50e58a320695a210f5b9b2.jpg

Really pleased with it now and extremely excited to get to the hand painted details. :-)

Edited by CableGuy
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...