RStephens wrote:
Thanks for the input, guys. Mac, your original thread comparing the different paints is what prompted me to ask my original question in this post. I will definately go the polishing route on the dome; is the face polished also, or should it just be left as is? Also, they say to use a white base coat under the Black Pearl; but since I'm using a primer, should I be OK skipping the white base coat or do I need to stick with it?
Ah Okay, I thought you might have missed that thread. When I first started learning about all this, people recommended T-177 Gun Metal by Dupli-Color. I then later found that they were only approximately matching the color based on photos of the ESB prop under flash photography. As you know, the actual filming of the propl is not under flash but proper studio lighting, which is much, much softer.
How the paint responds to lower light situations is far more important than a proper color match of paint responding to a bright flash.
The postiive side of using Dupli-Color is that if you are here in the States, it's readily available. It's automotive paint, so if you flex your helmet a little bit, it should take the flex okay. My experience is that Krylon Fusion will crack with minimal flexing.
Kustom Kolors also sells a black Base Coat. You wouldn't use white for something like this.
In fact, if you use your black base coat or whatever brand of black primer you prefer, that should be fine.