tinting visors

[nirvana katana]

I am currently building an EVA helmet. I was wondering if there is any way of "panting" on the tint so i don't have to worry about gapping in the tint. any ideas of suggestions. Sorry about lack of pics. I have issues of not posting the final when i post everything else. will post before and after tinting

 

[Juukyuu]

You could still use that Christmas transparent wrapping and heat it up so it will shrink and stick to the helmet but its just a theory in my head, i actually REALLY don't know if it could work, it just went through my mind while reading your post

 

[nirvana katana]

after digging, i dont think that will work quite right. i asked my automotive friend if he knew of any spray on tints. He says that there are but he hasn't used one yet, or found any in gold

 

[Zat German]

http://www.405th.com/showthread.php/28110-Quick-and-Dirty-Visor-for-an-Ithica-EVA-Helmet

Here is one way you could do it. To put it simply, you are using a light coat of chrome paint under an amber plastic to get a gold. Keep in mind that you only need to do this for a small portion of the visor to be able to see out of.

 

[nirvana katana]

i wish my helmet had come with the folds to make those set in areas, i think i ended up with the reach version. Regardless of what ever helmet design i have, the mirrachorme costs $80. My bank account currently consists of $30, so while i do enjoy the look, i simply dont have the funds for it

 

[Ehekky]

There are some spray-paints that make it reflective, but from inside the helmet (Dark, no lights to reflect) you can look through it, although I have no idea where to get them.

 

[nirvana katana]

thats what the mirrachrome was.

 

[nirvana katana]

I just went out and tested something. a light dusting of silver spray paint. i used whatever shiny capped spray paint from lowes. a light dusting on the surface of plastic acts like a 2 way mirror. I sprayed on to some plastic wrap. i could see through but it kind of adds a fog to the vision. I think im going to buy some of the spray on tint i found and using that with the spray paint, maybe even without the paint.

 

[Zat German]

I think im going to buy some of the spray on tint i found

Got a link or product info handy for the spray-on tint? Also, there is a stickied thread with information on how to do what you are talking about.

 

[Arioch]

There is a black spray on plastic tint called Night Shades. You can get it at O'Reillys. I used it on mine, you can check my helm in my vids and see if you want to use it.

http://www.405th.com/showthread.php/28297-My-ODST-suit-WIP-from-pep-to-molding

 

[Telemus]

Make sure to post pics! I am interested to see what it looks like. Even the "failed" attempts.

 

[nirvana katana]

Mr. Arioch you are my current favorite person. i was hesitant to purchase that stuff because i was unsure how the tint actually came out. I was rather pleased to see how your visor looked. IN the video you also said that you had gotten a few air bubbles in the plastic. what was your plan to fix that. I'm about to that same point in time and i am trying to get it as good as i can in my first try. i am hoping to be 100% done with bondoing the sucker by tommrow. Here are some of the pictures i took about 3 weeks ago.

This first one was when i had just gotten done pepping the actual helmet

test fitting

And finally the partially bondoed first layer. While im posting this W.I.P ill put down some other pictures:

finished scout shoulder.

Security shoulder pep, with recon helmet in the background. Well thats all the pictures i have for now

 

[nirvana katana]

eh the picture posting didnt work. but i have it all up on my face book so have the link to the album http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=40669&id=100000036549102&l=adf95a7100

 

[Arioch]

Well as far as making the visor, I vac form them and I think I used too high of a temperature to soften it. Im going to make one tomorrow at 250 degress and see if that works better.

EDIT - I should note that I use plexiglass for my visors. Its maybe a 1/8 - 1/16 of an inch thick, so if you use something thinner... you are going to have to adjust the heat accordingly. Just use your judgement on it. It may take a couple tries to get it right. I couldnt even use my first attempt.

My first was at 450 and had a ton of air bubbles, my second was at 350 and only had a few so I think 250 will work out. Ill let you know how it goes. I think the air gets in when the plastic heats too fast and sags too quickly. It seems like the plastics own weight pulls on it too hard and it starts to separate.

You are welcome for the words about the tinting. I was pretty happy with it. Use light coats. I put 3 light coats on the inside of the visor only and I think it may have been 1 coat too many. But it works fine enough for me.

I turtle waxed the visor afterward and it shined up really well. lol

 

[nirvana katana]

ok thanks for the info. ill make sure to add you on xbox live

 

[MW Immortalking]

I used this Tamiya "Smoke" Spray tint for my helmet http://www.hobbylinc.com/gr/tam/tam85071.jpg
Got it from Hobby town took me 2 tries to get the spray just the right balance of think/thin. Used too much the first time.

 

[nirvana katana]

 

[nirvana katana]

 

[nirvana katana]

 

[MW Immortalking]

looks nice what do you plan on doing with that non see through visor? Vacuform?