TKModder421's Nico Henderson R1TK helmet build

[TKModder421[TK]]

I've been slowly working on a 3D print build of Nico Henderson's R1TK helmet. Nico is well known for his accuracy on his Shoretrooper helmet design, so when I saw him post on Facebook that he was going to be releasing a 3D printable model of the R1TK I knew I had to give it a try. It's a beautiful design and I believe it to be the most accurate I've seen.

I didn't know how far I was going to get with this build tbh so I hadn't started a build thread, but now that I'm getting close to painting I figured now would be a good time to post my progress. I'll probably need some advice on paint here soon as well, so any advice on paint and/or threads to read would be appreciated!!

 

Here are some pics of the freshly printed pieces:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here's a few of the mockup of the raw printed pieces (except for the chin and ears which I had already started to sand):

 

 

 

 

 

 

So after I had sanded things down a bit, I wasn't sure which method I wanted to use to fill the print lines I couldn't get with sandpaper. I had heard some people talking about using XTC3D so I decided to give that a try.

 

 

My opinion is that it's good if you don't want to process it too much further than the initial polish, but I ended up with bubbles in the dried resin and found it difficult to sand, I think I could've gotten the same results easier just using filler primer, which is WAY easier to sand and get smooth.

 

 

 

After endless hours of sanding I was finally ready to attach some of the pieces together. I started with the face and the back, then attached the dome. I wanted to fill the seam line between the back of the helmet and the dome. I wasn't ready to attach the chin yet as I wanted to get the face/back/dome piece as well as the chin up to paint ready smoothness with wet sanding before I attached the rest of the face together. Mostly so I wouldn't have to try and sand the seam between where the chin and cheek tubes meet, as well as the surfaces leading into the frown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So finally, I'm caught up to my current progress. I've got everything wet sanded up to 2000 grit and I have attached the chin to the rest of the helmet. I've mocked up the ears, brow trim and vocoder for looks, everything else you see is attached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I need to know how to proceed with painting. I've been trying to research rattle can options and the steps I should follow. I've never attempted to spray paint a project that needed to achieve the level of gloss and smoothness that this requires, so I want to get all the input I can before I proceed.

I'm not sure if I should be laying down a particular type of primer first (should I use white primer?) and then what type of paint is best and how I should be going about getting all the angles without missing spots or pooling problems.

Also, I've seen people talking about just using gloss white, but then I saw someone mention appliance epoxy, which I think might be a good idea due to the fact that it resists chipping?

I found some at my local Home Depot but wasn't sure so I haven't gotten anything yet.

This is what I found:

 

 

Alright, well I'd love to get some feedback on the painting process as well as how to proceed with painting the greeblies (tears and traps) as well!

 

[TKModder421[TK]]

Also, is there a color guide for ROTKs or is it the same as OTTKs?


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[TKModder421[TK]]

I've read over the label on the appliance epoxy and it recommends not using a primer. It says it self levels, but I'm a little concerned that if I screw it up it will be difficult, if not impossible to sand off. Anyone have experience with it? I'm kind of leaning away from that idea at the moment.

[Darth147[TK]]

I wouldn’t use it

gloss white paint should be enough 

[TKModder421[TK]]

I wouldn’t use it
gloss white paint should be enough 

Yeah, that’s the direction I’m leaning. Do you think I’ll need to add a clear coat after the gloss white?

[Darth147[TK]]

you can for an extra shine 

just make sure you do not wait more than a hr after your last coast to apply the clear coat 

i also started the nico bucket but have had trouble printing the chin

[TKModder421[TK]]

you can for an extra shine 

just make sure you do not wait more than a hr after your last coast to apply the clear coat 

i also started the nico bucket but have had trouble printing the chin

Ok, good to know!

 

Looking at my most recent pics I’ve burned through some spots (mostly on sharp edges) on the primer getting it up to such a high grit, do you think it’s ok to just go ahead and apply paint (since I’ll be using a paint with primer) or do you think I should lay another layer of primer first?

 

 

 

I had to print a second chin myself. What problems are you having?

[Darth147[TK]]

i suggest you prime and sand until your happy with that you see

once your done with all your sanding and you prime a final time and if you do not notice anything wrong 

do a wet sand of 2000 grit and then paint

 

the intended  part where the mic tips go never fully closes 

[TKModder421[TK]]

i suggest you prime and sand until your happy with that you see
once your done with all your sanding and you prime a final time and if you do not notice anything wrong 
do a wet sand of 2000 grit and then paint
 
the intended  part where the mic tips go never fully closes 

I’ve got it pretty free of any texture I can see. Actually went up to 2000. Just wondering if I’m going to have paint adhesion problems on the spots I’ve wet sanded down to the plastic, or if it needs to be free of those color differences before I paint?

I had the same problem my first go round, one of my supports failed under the left mic tip depression and it left a gap in the bottom. So I increased the supports under those areas and added a brim (for the supports to hold on to better) and the second one worked great

[Darth147[TK]]

you should be good

if anything you can re sand a bit since most paint is paint and primer 

 

which orientation did you print at 

i gave up with the helmet for now  until i get the rest of the suit done 

[TKModder421[TK]]

you should be good
if anything you can re sand a bit since most paint is paint and primer 
 
which orientation did you print at 
i gave up with the helmet for now  until i get the rest of the suit done 

Ok cool

I printed it face up with supports and a brim


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[11b30b4[TK]]

The Nico bucket is coming along nicely. I was in on the initial offering of the files and I have his Shoretrooper bucket as well. Now all you need to do is order a set of RO armor and you will be on your way 

[TKModder421[TK]]

The Nico bucket is coming along nicely. I was in on the initial offering of the files and I have his Shoretrooper bucket as well. Now all you need to do is order a set of RO armor and you will be on your way 

Thanks man! Oh sweet, I also grabbed the file on his initial offering, and I also have his Shoretrooper files! lol
I just barely started printing those!
I currently have Anovos ANH TK armor and would love to get a set of RO armor but it’s gonna have to wait until I can afford it unfortunately