u/ALUSHSAMBA

Hey guys, currently working on an ODST suit.

I've printed most of the torso pieces, sanded and primed them, now I'm looking for some paint colours.

I've found a paint shop that custom makes any colour of car paint, now I'm spoiled for choice.

Wanted to have a slightly darker grey for the suit, and wondered if anyone had any colour recommendations?

Another issue is the helmet.

It was my first print and the more I sand the armour, the worse the helmet looks.

There's later lines on the back half on the helmet top section, plus some horrible layers on the upper jaw section.

Should I add some knifing putty (in england so no bondo spot glazing putty), then sand at 120, 240, 400, then re wet sand to 600, re primer and repaint?

Also have ordered some webbing tape, to help attach it to the plate carrier.

Don't be like me. Take your time sanding.

Printed, glued together, welded, sanded, filler putty added for the seam, more sanding, filler primer, wet sanded to 600 grit, then finally added grey primer.

Then the imperfections started to show....

Well guess it's time to wet sand again....

Dammit, I hate wet sanding. My hands are already so cramped....

Edit: I've sanded it back to almost the plastic later. At 120grit. Going to go to 240 with the mouse sander, then reapply the filler primer, then go at it with 600 again

It's been an absolute blast working on this project.

Started with printing the helmet, sanding, filling painting.

"How hard could making the visor be?"

-idiot. Turns out it's harder than the actual helmet.

Learned vacuum forming, built a janky vac form station (using the family oven.)

Learned airbrushing and found some amazing chrome paint from a couple of awesome redditors. (Duralumen).

First cosplay helmet I've ever made and I'm so happy with how it's turned out so far.

Thanks to the comments on the last couple of posts.

I ordered some Tamiya chrome (old visor) and it looks alright. More silver than chrome, not that reflective and partially see through.

Ordered some duralumen, and holy crap.

This stuff is phenomenal.

Such a clear, clean, reflective and transparent paint.

Absolutely astounded with the finish.

Added the first attempt at weathering.

May buy some oil paint and mineral spirit to do the big dirt wash.

Couple more bits of detail, and think I can call this finished.

So happy with the results and a HUGE thanks to everyone suggesting paints, tips and how to use them.

I might try making one more visor, and see if I can get a better paint finish.

Thanks everyone for your help.

I've got some Duralumen on order at the moment. Some Tamiya paint turned up and gave some of the first vacuum formed visors a spray.

Unfortunately it's a Jeffery's model and the galactic armoury visor wont fit.

Tried tinting film and it DID NOT want to melt with the petg.

Pic #4

The Tamiya paint worked pretty well. I can see through the visor partially, and can cover my weird face too!

Can't wait to practice more and carry on improving.

Hello, I'm working on my first helmet currently and am stuck at the visor step.

I've printed, sanded and painted the helmet, built a diy vacuum forming rig, and managed to get a few half decent odst visors made.

I tired using window tinting film THEN vacuum forming, but came out with horrendous results. (Film didn't droop like the petg does)

I've seen using spaz stix mirror chrome is the go-to, but delivery is expensive and will take a long time.

Wondering if there's any alternatives, ideally available in the UK with a quick-ish delivery time.

Can I just use chrome spray paints on the back side of the visor?

Thanks in advance,

-Janky Odst

Edit:

Note:

I have seen the galactic armoury video, and would prefer to make my own visor.

(The visor wont fit my helmet model) (I'm going to make more helmets in the future, will need more than just 1 odst visor)

I have tried using window tint film. I paired the film to the petg sheet, tried heating it to vacuum form. But the tint sheets DO NOT melt enough to vacuum form. Tint sheet won't bend around the visor buck, as it's too complex shape for the film to bend. (Film won't stretch like petg)