Bruteforce56
New Member
My introduction to pepping was last Oct. I started off small with the M6D pistol and then completed the ODST Rookie helmet. After that, I was comfortable with pepping and was confident about making a pretty darn perfect MkVI helmet. I completed pepping it in about 60 hours. During winter break, I applied two layers of resin to all three pieces. And then for 6 months they sat around collecting dust.
A few weeks ago, I began an internship at a small aircraft kit manufacturer, where I am currently being trained on how to fiberglass and create molds. I decided I just wanted to focus on the Mk VI helmet since that was the best piece I had made so far. Working at this aircraft manufacturer, I have access to tools and chemicals (various types of glass, resin, fillers, etc) that are not available at your home depot or ace hardware. The next step of the process was filling it with foam to reinforce it so I can pull it out of the mold without ruining it incase the mold doesn't come out correct.
Unfortunately I ran out of hardening for the foam so I used a filler called microballoon "something" to paste the inside walls with and allowed it to harden overnight.
Next, I sprayed a couple layers of automotive primer so I could see every facet and imperfection.
After that, I mixed and applied a less harder filler called microballoon epoxy to the outside of the helmet in order to eliminate the geometric shape and smooth it all out.
I didn't apply the microballoon epoxy to the whole thing so that I could see where my edges are suppose to be. I expect tomorrow that I will sand and smooth these spots all out and then proceed to work on the other parts of the helmet. I want this sucker to be perfect so I have a lot of sanding ahead of me; fortunately, microballoon epoxy is much much easier to sand than bondo. Ultimately, I plan to use this helmet as a plug to form probably a three piece mold in which I'll be able to produce perfect, accurate fiberglass casts. If you can provide any professional advice regarding where I am currently at with it or with molding, it would be much appreciated. Thanks.
A few weeks ago, I began an internship at a small aircraft kit manufacturer, where I am currently being trained on how to fiberglass and create molds. I decided I just wanted to focus on the Mk VI helmet since that was the best piece I had made so far. Working at this aircraft manufacturer, I have access to tools and chemicals (various types of glass, resin, fillers, etc) that are not available at your home depot or ace hardware. The next step of the process was filling it with foam to reinforce it so I can pull it out of the mold without ruining it incase the mold doesn't come out correct.
Unfortunately I ran out of hardening for the foam so I used a filler called microballoon "something" to paste the inside walls with and allowed it to harden overnight.
Next, I sprayed a couple layers of automotive primer so I could see every facet and imperfection.
After that, I mixed and applied a less harder filler called microballoon epoxy to the outside of the helmet in order to eliminate the geometric shape and smooth it all out.
I didn't apply the microballoon epoxy to the whole thing so that I could see where my edges are suppose to be. I expect tomorrow that I will sand and smooth these spots all out and then proceed to work on the other parts of the helmet. I want this sucker to be perfect so I have a lot of sanding ahead of me; fortunately, microballoon epoxy is much much easier to sand than bondo. Ultimately, I plan to use this helmet as a plug to form probably a three piece mold in which I'll be able to produce perfect, accurate fiberglass casts. If you can provide any professional advice regarding where I am currently at with it or with molding, it would be much appreciated. Thanks.