I hear you. Let's assume the pulls of Vader props were glossy (an examination of the VP and the VP Master show that the finishes were dull). We all agree the dome was painted. However, the gloss we see are one of the following:

1. Either a glossy paint or
2. A flat base coat that's in turn given a clear coat

Either way, you see orange peeling which is evidence of spraying.

A flat base coat would have cancelled out any glossiness of the gel coat of the FG.

A glossy paint's orange peeling would have also have completely obscured the original gloss of the pull.

The statement was made...

The stunt has clearcoat on it. Meaning others might also, maybe not all of them but the possibility exists wether anyone wants to think so or not.

The base coat has chips all over showing that the dome has paint on it, and the clear coat is obvious which is flaking off from above that.....similar to something that has been left in the sun without care.

Although this picture shows it reasonably, in person you can see the clear coat flaking off all over the dome....you can see little pieces around these sections where the clear is still attached to itself but not the base coat.



So believe what you want but to continue to say that none have it is incorrect.

I don't think base coat/clear coat systems were developed until the early 90's.
Any clear paint in the 80's would have crystalized, and become translucent yellow by now. It wasn't until the last 15 years or so that they have developed a clear coat resistent to crystalization.

Either way, every original I ever saw, or people I know who own them, none of them have clearcoat.
If vadermonkey is saying that the PA had clearcoat, either his assessment is incorrect, or it was re-painted much later on after the films.

What you are seeing in that pic, is the paint removed exposing the black gel coat underneath.

Base coat/Clear coat was developed in the late 70's.

"Being that the clear coat is water based it is softer than most lacquer paint jobs and many enamels. Clear coat paint needs protected because it is soft and vulnerable to the elements like acid rain, the sun's UV rays, ocean salt and other air borne pollutants. Many people think that the "clear coat" the factory applies is a form of "protection" for the paint. This is very untrue. It is "clear paint" that needs protected even more so than single stage paint from the 70's and 80's."


Here's the rest.
http://www.detailking.com/cali/content/view/9/30/

It would stand to reason that such a newly developed product that wasn't in widespread use until the late eighties would have been used for a movie prop unless the prop maker had experience with it from the auto-body industry. At least that's what I would think, having just read up on the history of this type of top coat.

Exactly.

(Edit for content by Vadermonkey)

Anyway it is paint over gel coat...that is why I pointed out the chip.

Hi guys...this is a decent artical...

http://www.mobileworks.com/clear-coat-p ... ishes.html

... ok ok ... stop that, guys ...

Quote edited by the request of Gino ...

So clearly there is paint.

I see a difference in glossy and hazed areas. However, if the hazed areas are the base coat showing through, why is it showing through in recessed areas where it would be a little safer from wear and tear?

The difference between the glossy and hazed areas is remarkably thin.

Sorry....I couldnt resist....all in fun....

Nice to see ya Jesper! Where have you been?

There is a Javamonkey who makes Clone Trooper helmets.



(Quote edited by Staff)

We address that as a small misunderstanding, and I don't want to see
a fight going up over this here now ... so move along and go on with
the discussion -

@Vadermonkey - I'm still in the middle of moving to the new office,
and still have no Internet or Phone there ... I hope that I will
have everything back working as it should sometime next week
I'm currently using my wifes Laptop ... I can only do that occasionally,
as we have the agreement "no Internet" in the evening when we can
spend the time together ... now is an "exception", as I have been away
for so long now ... ... hopefully I'll be back as usual again next
week ...