FXD2FGHT's Mark VI Helmet WIP

[nosaint]

Rust oleum has a new line of metallic (silver, red, blue and purple) based on what I've seen at the local Home
Depot this morning.

They also have colour changing Metallics that run $30 for one can.

Maybe for my next build....

Anyone try this color changing paint yet???

i tried it on a halo plasma pistol. works great.

 

[Fxd2fght]

Thanks Nosaint.

Your plasma pistol looks incredible!

 

[Fxd2fght]

After explaining the process to a friend overseas - I thought I would include my breakdown here on the forums.

Warning - large image ahead...

Obviously missing allot of little steps but wanted to show what I thought were the main stages to completion.

Special thank you to CEREAL'S - Mk VI Comprehensive WIP **(With Videos)** thread and tips on adding detail.

 

[ajfromnj]

Very nice build. I especially like the honeycomb effect in the visor

 

[Fxd2fght]

Very nice build. I especially like the honeycomb effect in the visor

Thank you. I originally wanted to do the HUD on the inside but did the hex pattern since it was cleaner.

 

[TheReconSpartan]

Great work so far! I love the honey comb idea on the visor!

 

[Fxd2fght]

Great work so far! I love the honey comb idea on the visor!

Thank you. Printing on acetate has endless possibilities.

 

[Fxd2fght]

Huge Improvement today! Giant!

My colour selection gave me a glossy finish and as I held the final painted product it felt a bit delicate - as if it would chip or scratch too easily. After taking a coffee break at Home Depot I saw a $5 solution - satin clear coat.

I will say gloss vs matte, metallic vs flat is all based on personal opinion - but the final product of the helmet now in my opinion is 200% better. The loss of a smooth glossy finish has reduced light shine and the texture feels more durable.

I strongly recommend any 405th member to try this if they have not already. Once again - 100% personal opinion here.

 

[ItsDarthChaos]

This is a amazing job. I think this is a great method you have going on. My question is, how much time and $$$ have u invested into this? It looks great, but I don't have a very big budget to Invest in this.

 

[TheRabbit]

That is an awesome before/after shot, how did you do that?

 

[Fxd2fght]

This is a amazing job. I think this is a great method you have going on. My question is, how much time and $$$ have u invested into this? It looks great, but I don't have a very big budget to Invest in this.

Thank you. And a very good question about cost.

It took a long time since I was not rushing so money was spread over months. I would work on it for an hour or two on a weekend.

I will try and estimate below.

Structure:
Paper -$5
Resin & fiberglass sheets -$25
*Still have about 450 sheets remaining for next build

Detail:
Bondo - $10
Glazing Putty - $10
*Still have about 5% bondo and 80% putty remaining for next build

Paint:
Canary Yellow - $5
Hammer black - $10
Satin Clean Coat - $5
*Still have about 80% hammer black and 70% clear coat remaining for next build

Visor:
Plastic - $10
Tint - $10
*Still have about 85% tint remaining for next build

Yikes - spread over 3 months I can add up. The remainders will help net down the cost of my next build by about half.

To be honest - after reading smart threads on the 405th. There are smart ways to reduce costs. Visor and paint can both be easily reduced with different paints and a motorcycle visor on sale.

Keep in mind these are Canadian prices. And nothing I bought was on sale

Also, to reduce costs be creative, things like tools to spread bondo I just cut plastic from packaging. Used garbage bags to prevent messing areas and used anything around the house to prevent buying things.

 

[Fxd2fght]

That is an awesome before/after shot, how did you do that?

Thank you. I give te credit to Photoshop.

I found two similar images and overlapped them before using the selection tool to delete a portion. The trick or the zoom bubbles is I copy parts from the image and then reduce the file size. When I paste the content back in I do not loose any resolution.

 

[Fxd2fght]

Photo Progress Update

Only remaining items include side lights and reworking the interior padding so I can breath easier.

To be honest, I started the neck detail 100% game accurate and was in a creative mood. Thought it would be cool if I repaint it to have a stripe start at the top and come all the way to the back neck. Paint used here had a hammered finish.

This shot helps show all the added detail through Bondo. The helmet from SLYFO off the wiki was amazing to pep, but I wanted to add some more detail.

Visor in action.

Here is an interior shot (a little darker then actual). The helmet looks way to big since it is a foot in front of my face to get the camera phone inside. 5% Car Tint Used.

--

Thank you 405th for all the time, comments and in depth tutorials/suggestions so far.

Now I need to get cracking on some armour!!!!

 

[TheRabbit]

Wow! That helmet looks amazing! And done for so cheap! Awesome work. Are you going to do weathering/battle damage? Or are you going to keep it factory fresh?

 

[Fxd2fght]

Wow! That helmet looks amazing! And done for so cheap! Awesome work. Are you going to do weathering/battle damage? Or are you going to keep it factory fresh?

Thanks for the comment. Came out better then I was hoping. To be honest I should have spent more on resin to strengthen but I just used some bondo in a few areas instead.

Love the term "factory fresh"! And yes for now until I figure out the complete suit - will keep in near mint condition. Have a feeling it will end up being some canary yellow/blue/black combination.

 

[PigBenis]

i love it . also with your own touch with the hexa paddies on that helmet it looks fine

 

[Fxd2fght]

i love it . also with your own touch with the hexa paddies on that helmet it looks fine

Thanks. Ive used acetate for presentations/charts so often it seemed like a good fit.

 

[ItsDarthChaos]

This looks awesome. I only have one problem with it, nothing MAJOR, though. I REALLY think you should make full-out flashlights in the helmet. I swear, it would just require some better wiring underneath the helmet's padding and a battery pack hidden on thee back od the helmet. Lights that could really brighten up the room would easily double the helmet's functionallity.

 

[Fxd2fght]

This looks awesome. I only have one problem with it, nothing MAJOR, though. I REALLY think you should make full-out flashlights in the helmet. I swear, it would just require some better wiring underneath the helmet's padding and a battery pack hidden on thee back od the helmet. Lights that could really brighten up the room would easily double the helmet's functionallity.

Great notion and it is something that I have debated on and off. I always tell myself I will - but I get distracted with a different detail or section.

I do not have the tools yet to tackle this but once I get a full suit made up I aim on making it a full project. Thinking blue LEDs with a few flashing LEDs where it counts.

Time to research and dream...

 

[ItsDarthChaos]

Great notion and it is something that I have debated on and off. I always tell myself I will - but I get distracted with a different detail or section.

I do not have the tools yet to tackle this but once I get a full suit made up I aim on making it a full project. Thinking blue LEDs with a few flashing LEDs where it counts.

Time to research and dream...

I honestly think it would be piece of cake to install full lighting. the hardest job would be to carefully pull out the padding and install the battery pack. The back of the helmet SHOULD be bulky enough so you could cut out a hole for the battery pack. In fact, if detail is important, you could probably have enough room to make a cover to go OVER the pack. As far as everything elde, make a bigger hole in the light emplacements, install the lights, install the battery pack, string some wiring from the lights to the battery pack, re-install the helmet's padding, AND BOOM! You are done.