It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 8:46 am

All times are UTC


THE PROP DEN is primarily a Darth Vader Prop Discussion Board, but we also deal with other Star Wars Props as well as Prop Replicas from other movies. If you do not yet have an account, set one up, sign in and jump into the Vader Prop Discussions!


Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 98 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next
Author Enter your Message here
 Post subject: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:19 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:38 am
Posts: 90
I apologize in advance if this is posted in the wrong location.

I'm planning on purchasing an ANH helmet from SPFX. I'm trying to decide if I would be capable of finishing the kit version. I have a decent amount of modeling and costuming experience, including scratch-builds, but I've never worked with a fiberglass helmet like this one. What I don't know is just how much work would actually be involved and how difficult it would be.

Have any of you ever finished one of his helmets yourself? What did you have to do and how would you rate the level of difficulty?

Thanks!

_________________
http://www.costumebot.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:13 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:58 am
Posts: 10908
Location: Denmark
Well, depends on the kit you get. If it has the dome mount attachment style, then the prep work to get the dome to sit as it should is minimal and only needs some Velcro at the brow, perhaps to keep it steady.

By way of painting, I'd probably prime it with primer made for plastic and fiberglass - do not overspray and do not sand and do not worry about paint-drips unless you're doing an idealized ANH. Then spray on a thin layer of gloss black on both dome and face, you can go with two layers for a stronger finish. Don't worry about the shine just yet and don't go for semi-gloss, as that is inaccurate. Then find a good looking metallic grey (usually gunmetal grey, but try to find one with more of a steel look than the ones with the purplish hue, if you can) and brush it on with a finger-width sized brush. Don't worry if you go a little sloppy - just stay within the lines of the ANH paint job and it'll be great, don't splotch it and try to make straight lines, however, it's not necessary to go perfect and pristine.

Once it has all dried you should start handling the helmet at select places to wear down the shine with your hand- and fingerprints. It should not be clear coated at all. Look at the movie and as much reference as possible to get the right look. Otherwise, just ask.

_________________
Check us out at Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ThePropDen


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:40 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:10 am
Posts: 368
Thats what I did..I got the raw ANH kit and finnished it myself..


Last edited by RBJ on Thu May 28, 2009 5:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:46 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:38 am
Posts: 90
Thanks for the advice. I'm pretty sure I have the necessary skills to pull it off, but I've lacked the confidence to commit to it until now.

Was there much filling to do? SPFX mentioned there might be a few pinholes to fill and smooth over. Were your raw pulls pretty clean?

NHM, thanks for the painting tips. I was gonna go semi-gloss, but I'll avoid that now. This helmet will be used mainly for trooping so I'm sure I'll get plenty of fingerprints on it to dull the finish. I'll definitely be going for that Tantive IV look. I've been studying screen-caps and I'm really annoyed that there aren't more good reference pics of the ANH helmets. The HD caps help a lot, though.

RBJ, thanks for the pics. Where did you get your lenses?

I've cut lots of ABS, styrene, and PVC in my time, but I've never cut fiberglass before. Do you rough cut the teeth with a dremel then file it down? What does the fiberglass do when it's cut? I imagine a respirator would be necessary.

*edit* OOPS! I just found Mac's thread on the dremel subject. I'll read before I type next time. :)

_________________
http://www.costumebot.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:01 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:58 am
Posts: 10908
Location: Denmark
Well, seeing as it is an ANH, I wouldn't really worry about filling things or do much prep-work. The ANH always looked like a battle helmet and outfit to me, whereas the later versions were parade style outfits with high gloss shine and prettier finish.

The thread will be moved to the WIP section once you start working on your stuff.

_________________
Check us out at Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ThePropDen


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:38 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:10 am
Posts: 368
my pull was super clean..I used bono on a little pinhole at the front of the widows peak, and where I got a little file crazy on one of the teeth. :)


Last edited by RBJ on Thu May 28, 2009 5:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:35 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:29 pm
Posts: 62
What colour lens did you go for in the end? Does the ANH have plastic / resin tusk or Ali? I have heard of people using plastic, but in an interview/thread, Brian Muir said he the tusks were made in the metal workshop.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:59 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:58 am
Posts: 10908
Location: Denmark
Tusks are definitely metal. Go with Fatherless One, imo. Also a member here. :thumbsup

_________________
Check us out at Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ThePropDen


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 5:09 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:38 am
Posts: 90
I went ahead and purchased a kit from SPFX a little over a week ago. He said he had several on hand so I should be seeing mine soon. I'm really looking forward to finishing it myself.

I just purchased a new camera so I'll document as much of the finishing process as I can and post it here.

@ RBJ: I'll definitely be looking into a set of those lenses!

@GHM: Good advice. I've been wearing out the frame-by-frame feature on my DVD player trying to get a better feel for the look.

_________________
http://www.costumebot.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:29 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:38 am
Posts: 90
Okay, I got my raw casting today so this is now officially a WIP.

RBJ, I have a small pinhole in the widow's peak of mine as well but it should be easy enough to fill. That along with a little filing at the teeth and a bit of sanding are first on the agenda.

I've considered that the rough texture of the inside of the dome could easily scratch the top of the face once everything's painted. What have you guys done to protect the face? I'm considering sanding the inside lightly before painting then attaching some felt strips to the dome wherever there will be no velcro. Have any of you done anything like that to your helmets? Any ANH dome mounting advice would be greatly appreciated.

_________________
http://www.costumebot.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:03 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:10 am
Posts: 368
As far as dome mounting goes...I am little to no help! :) I have a piece of velcro in the front, some thin padding on the edges of the mask, and some thick padding in the back of the dome. My dome scratches my faceplate all the time..but hey, ANH is supposed to look weathered! :) Actually most of the scratches can't be seen when the dome is on...hopefully someone will have a better solution for you!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:25 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:58 am
Posts: 10908
Location: Denmark
Moved to WIP.


I agree... though it sucks to see scratches in a new paint job you worked hard on achieving, it will give a more used look, rather than merely a parade/display kinda look.

_________________
Check us out at Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ThePropDen


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:30 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:38 am
Posts: 90
So I got to spend a little quality time with Mr. Vader at lunch today. I really don't have a place to work with fiberglass and spray paint at home so I'm working on my new baby during my lunch hour at work. I wanted to start by showing off what my SPFX looked like right out of the box.

Image
Image
Image
Image

The main task for today is to lightly sand the inside of the pieces to remove any stray glass fibers. Tomorrow I plan to gently clean up the teeth a bit and file out a couple of blobs that are on top of one of the side tubes. If I have time I'll also fill a small hole that's in the front edge of the dome.

_________________
http://www.costumebot.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:10 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:18 am
Posts: 425
Location: Herald, CA. US
These are a fun project! Mine started out as a kit too. I ordered mine with a mounting ring, I did however make a mounting system for my VM1 with some pvc drain pipe pieces from Home Depot.
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SPFX ANH Vader raw kit
PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:17 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:29 pm
Posts: 62
I have a finished SPFX and the helmet is mounted using pipe rings on the top and velcro on the forehead. It works well and is secure though it mucks up the look of the mac tabs, but you don't see those anyway.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 98 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next

All times are UTC


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
cron
Blue Moon by Trent © 2007
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Hosted by Freeforum.ca, get your free forum now! TOS | Support Forums | Report a violation
MultiForums powered by echoPHP phpBB MultiForums