Darth Vader Supreme Costume

DarthGordon -

I'm delighted you found that info useful! Everyone here including you have been most helpful to me and I'm happy to do my best to help out however I can in return. And besides, this gives me the opportunity to do a bit of research for when I finally tackle my own re-painting work later over the summer.

I hadn't anticipated a big difference in weight of the helmet though due to the paint and primer. But, in light of the end result, I don't think that will bother me much.

Cheers!!

Huzz

 

You shouldnt notice a HUGE difference, maybe a little. It makes me wonder how much paint you've applied. LOL

 

Tons of Scratch Fill Primer (probably four coats). I had to in order to get it as smooth as possible. As for the actual paint, I'd say only two coats. That works out to be about a can and a half of primer and three cans of paint. I'm pretty happy w/ the way it's turning out though. It's possible that the weight difference is just my imagination .

 

I dont even have enough fingers and toes to count how many coats I put on my mug. Although most of the time I kept sanding it back down. I was using the primer as a fine filler. So I would prime, then sand, prime then sand, .... you get the idea! LOL

 

Thanks so much Huzz for that info (and everyone else for that matter). I really appreciate you taking the time to ask your friend about my specific question. And thank your friend for answering in such detail.
It has really helped me out in getting to know this godforsaken spray paint.

I'm just glad that I started out with my shinguards. That way when I finally move on to the helmet, I'll know alot better how the paint acts.

On another note, I'm starting my vacation from work tomorrow and I plan on finishing my neck brace. So hopefully I'll have some more pics for all of you who are interested in seeing the final result.

 

Oh, and thank you Darth-Malevelus for figuring out a way to mount the helmet. Maybe now it'll have better definition because of the spacing in the front with the dome being pulled away from the mask (just like mounting the lenses from the inside of the helmet....More shadow, more menacing!!).

I'm glad that I had some old mousepads lying around. Chalk that up as one more thing I don't have to buy. LOL.

BTW, has anyone been brave enough to square off the ridge going down the middle of the helmet? I wonder how hard it would be to do. It just bugs me that it it's so rounded off. I'm also thinking about pointing off the widows peak as well. We'll see how brave I get.

 

you mean like this?

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/4282/16lc3.jpg


I added the plastic weld, to the area then while still wet i pulled the tape I layed down stright up to get the nice blocked edge, after it cured I then filed it into shape, and sanded it. I used the edge of a flat file to get the flat areas in between the ridges.

Very simple, get a couple of close ups of vaders face, print them and referr to them often when doing this to get the correct shape.

 

I was actually talking about the raised area running down the middle of the dome. It just irks me that it's rounded rather than squared off like the OT Vader.

But even still, I was curious as to how you made the part you're talking about look so refined. So thanks for that. LOL

 

You could try to dremel an nice edge to it, but be VERY CAREFUL!! you want to keep the curve around the edge as smooth as possible. I would not risk it, if youre not good at dremeling, otherwise you could end up with a helmet with a very wonky dome bump. I know im learning to live with it!

 

What I did was just use sand paper (somewhat corse grit, then a sanding sponge) around the outside of the stripe to add more definition to it before I primed it. Then with every primer coat I sanded it the same way. I still sanded the strip to make sure it was smooth but not as aggressively as the rest of the helmet. This did make mine look allot better, but not 100% (by no means perfect). Some day I'll get a hold of a digital camera so I have some pics to show.
Another idea is to build it up using the same material you used to build up the eyes and nose. I considered doing this but was afraid of how messy it might get. It would also require allot of sanding to make sure it's smooth and straight.

 

Make sure you are VERY CAREFULL!!! the best way Ive seen to build up and modify the dome ridge involves filling in the inside of the domes, ridge dent. If you dont do that the dome could litterally split right down the middle. After you have th inside filled in and smoothed (this will also help with the mounting of the dome too).
Then you flip it over and dremel out the ridge. The OT vader ridge is roughly 1 inch wide. Height I dont have, but anyone willing to supply it, post here. Just make sure you reinforce the ridge, before you weaken it.

I'd hate to hear of you pulling off your mask and dome at an event and having the dome split in two, or crack on you! LOL

I have yet to do this mod myself, but I am going to buy another rubies mug, just for the dome, and do that mod on it. it should make a huge difference! But I want to keep my trooping helmet untouched for now.

 

Jager-Vex - very glad to help. Orange pee can be quite embarassing.

Huzz

Whoops - that should be orange peel!! LOL!!

 

Thats great,my only problem is I cannot get the mask on with the neck seal on. LOL the fit is too tight! Or my noggins to big! lol
If I could rig it to work like that i will. Ill check into what I can do.

thanks

DM

 

Well folks it worked, thank you! Thank you very much. I finally go that 150 dollar neck seal installed. The results are geat! heres a pic.


http://img215.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc010687jp.jpg

Thanks again!
Now the helmet goes on like a motorcycle helmet! Nice and snug!!!!
DM

 

I'd hate to say it, but I think it's on upside-down. LOL

 

You sure? it looks fine to me. Maybe i am just crazy 2.

 

Aren't those pieces that look like hair clips supposed to be on the bottom? I could be wrong, but the pics I've seen of the seal had them on the bottom.

[image=http://www.costumejunkie.com/PRODUCTS/vaderNECKSEALproducts.jpg]

Plus the contour of the mask versus the bottom of the neck seal looks a little sharply angled.

Even the Riddell helmet has them on the bottom...

[image=http://www.oohyeahzone.com/collection/riddell-vader1.jpg]

 

yes..clips on the bottom and the flattest edge also on the bottom....i also hate to say it but is definatley upside down...

 

Let's hope its not to much trouble to install right way 'round!

Huzz

 

Yehah it is upside down, LOL

Thanks for pointing that out! The SP neck seal seems to be made off of a centerline in its design so last time I flipped it over, and mounted it, it fit exactly the same way. Even the lug mounts were in the same place. So flipping it should be a sinch.

 

Whew - that's quite a relief!! I was worried it would be a real b***H!!

May I ask where you got that neck brace? Is it one of Hummerth's?

Hey gang - what do you think of this neck chain for a ROTS Vader? Here is the eBay listing number:

7629992445

Cheers!
Huzz

 

No mine is a SithPlanet neck seal.

 

ok its fixed now here is the corrected shot. LOL I still cant believe I did that LOL


http://img369.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc010721xk.jpg

 

Looks nice! Im probably not going to get an actual reveal neck brace, but just make some black flexible brace or somehthing simply to cover the neck, and attach it from the inside of the helmet neck w/ velcro.

Also, im gonna drop by the fabric store and get me some more black cotton for the robe. the stuff is 50% off!