It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:06 pm

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  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Enter your Message here
 Post subject: Fram Air Filter - for Vader's mouth grill
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:22 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:46 pm
Posts: 5241
Location: San Jose, CA
I had heard there is someone in England who sells piece of grill from the same source they used 20 years ago. But at a price of something like $20, I though it was way overkill.

As I looked at some HD screen-captures, I noticed that in ANH the grill is black (you could see Prowse' skin behind it) whereas in ANH it's brighter but a dull metallic gray.

Regardless, it's one of those things that people aren't going to be paying super duper attention.

This air filter is by a company called Fram that makes a wide variety of automotive air filters. I bought this at Wal-mart for around $9.00.

Image

There are different ways of making these diamond shapes. The way Fram does it is basically take zig-zag wires and join them at the apexes, so it forms little rectangles.

At certain angles, it's not so obvious.

Image

If you get some Ferric Chloride (circuit board etchant) from Radio Shack and dilute it down with water (be careful. I hear you're supposed to pour acids into water. Dilute it down to 1 part FeCl and 4 parts H2O). And then soak the Fram filter. Gun blueing chemical may do the trick also.

Do the diamonds like up with the vents? Well, it all depends on the facemask.

The answer is no for the Don Post Deluxe because its air vents are wider and irregular. On the Don Post Classic Action (I have a recast so I don't know how accurate this is with the original DP CA) it seems to line up a bit better.

I can't tell you what model number this is as I discarded the box. But don't pay more than $9 or thereabouts. The cardboard box contained only this piece (shown in the inset of the first photo). There are more eloborate systems but it's just a waste of money. As the box is not taped up or anything, just find a box roughly the size of a box of chocolates and open it up and see if you see the above filter. If not, move on.

_________________
Cordially,

- Mac
( Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sculptingvader/ )


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:39 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:29 am
Posts: 689
Quote:
Regardless, it's one of those things that people aren't going to be paying super duper attention.


Actually, I think it makes quite a difference to the look of the mask. I've spent years looking at the grillwork on my masks. The devil is in the details I say..... :wink:

Fram filters are great for ESB, thats what I use on my JB as it fits the scale of his face. You can get a little bigger and thicker grill from Mitsubishi tow truck air filters and Most large size Trucks that take a cylidrical filter which is the exact size of the movie stuff from ESB

For "ROTJ" style mesh, a higher quality of the same used in the DPD you can get a huge sheet of grill at Schucks for $30.00-ish
(not that you'd need that much)

_________________
It is useless to resist


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:45 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:07 pm
Posts: 492
Location: Norwich UK
I just bought a big sheet of mesh from my local diy store and when i fitted it to my lid it was nice and shiny.

After been left on my shelf for a year or so it has now gone rusty all by itself, so i would just leave it as it is and let it weather naturally..

This is what it looked like new.

Image

_________________
FBJ still building armour like it was 1976


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 10:23 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:38 am
Posts: 455
Location: California
Really great tip Mac! I soaked some mesh in circuit board etchant that I diluted with water. It turned the shiny metal to a nice dark metallic grey. It looks great on my ESB lid!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:31 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:38 am
Posts: 455
Location: California
Just a reminder, if you decide to use the Ferric Chloride approach DON’T forget to dilute it with water! If you don’t you’ll get what I got last night, brown mesh! :grumpy

I finally found some accurate ESB mesh and I ruined it all. :putty

:angry4


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:38 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:46 pm
Posts: 5241
Location: San Jose, CA
Dilute it about 4 parts water to 1 part FeCl. It'll darken it in seconds. Leave it in for up to half a minute if needed. Then neutralize it with, oh I dunno, baking soda and water. But just rinsing it is fine.

If you only darken it for a few seconds, you can burnish it using a kitchen brillo pad, and it'll help create an aged/antiquing effect.

_________________
Cordially,

- Mac
( Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sculptingvader/ )


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:48 am 
Random avatar
Mac,
Do you still have the filter?
The # is always ink stamped on the orange part of a fram filter, or is it the white? Hmmmm?????? I'm almost positive it's on the orange part LOL :)
You might want to check the white to just to be sure.. :D


Top
  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:43 pm 
Offline
Random avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:49 pm
Posts: 63
Thanks for the tip I will be needing grills very soon.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2008 6:23 pm 
Offline
Random avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:49 pm
Posts: 52
As usual Mac, great tip.

Hobie


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

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