NovaDom WIP - Novatrooper Elite Specialist

[Novadom]

Greetings Troopers,

 

This thread will serve as my build journal for my -Novatrooper Elite Specialist- suit of armor

 

I'm getting ready to start by gathering all of what I'll need (that I think of)

 

Still missing:

Black decals for the helmet (I'll order from TrooperBay)

Black rivets

Heavy duty snaps (those I have aren't "long" enough, I think)

Roadblock pouch

Hyperfirm DLT-19

Undersuit (I far as I can tel, Eastbay doesn't sell the black leggings anymore)

Optional: Helmet- Environmental Audio System

Optional: Helmet- Voice amp + Static burst board

Optional: Helmet- squirrel fans

 

Already on hand:

QuarterMaster Nova backpack

Arakyel helmet

Pauldron

Neck Seal

Glossy Vinyl belt

7/16" abs buttons

Boots; Giorgio Brutini "Conner"

Gloves; black chemical (rubber)

Gloves; black Nomex (cloth)

1x MP40 pouch (4 compartments)

Black armor (unknown origin, I don't even know if it's ABS or HIPS)

2 small pieces (about 10"x10") of extra material (for the side gaps, I hope it's going to be enough)

Velcro, webbing, E6000, heat gun, rivet tool, dremmel, gold paint, rare earth magnets, clamps, etc

Duct tape dummy

 

 

So, here's my story:

 

I purchased my armor on ebay in (or around) 2009 (I think). The "brown box" has been in my closet ever since (I moved 3 times since then).

To be honest, I didn't know back then that there were different armorers, different materials, different quality, etc

I learned a lot since then but anyway... When I saw it, I had to have it! It was an impulse buy, pure and simple

 

When I received the package, I unwrapped everything and examined the pieces.. aaaand then I put everything back together in the box.

Since that day, I must have unpacked everything at least half-a-dozen times... aaaand then put everything back in the box.

It's really weird because it's not like I'm a lifelong procrastinator or anything like that, on the contrary!

 

At first, I told myself I didn't have the space to work on it.

After that, I told myself I didn't have the time to really commit to it, etc...

Deep down, I know that the reason why I haven't started on it yet is simply because it is scaring the crap out of me.

Since I'm a total rookie, I'm really worried I'll "FUBAR" something and miss my chance to get into the 501st Spec-Ops!

 

Fast forward to last weekend: I was at my first con ever, being surrounded by Cosplay all day long...

Coming back home, I realised that I finally had the inspiration to overcome my fears and jump into this project!

 

My schedule is a bit hectic since I work shifts (day, evening, nights) plus I have two toddlers at home, so I know it's going to be a challenge!

but I'll give it my best and hope it comes out as nice as others I've seen here...

You guys have no idea how much I respect (and admire) your talents and skillsets

 

 

If you could bear with me, I now have multiples questions; any help with these will be GREATLY appreciated!!

 

QUESTIONS!

 

1) Since I'm aiming for the Nova Elite "Specialist" title, is there something special I should know BEFORE beginning to assemble the armor (like the need to use specific rivets, webbing, or whatever)? I've read the thread for the "Specialist' requirements (like closed side gaps, etc) but I was looking for more technical aspects, during the build itself

 

2) Should I paint the gold on the pieces that requires it BEFORE assembly or after?

 

3) What method or product should I use to get the BLACK parts of my armor to get ultra-shiny? Do people use clearcoat?

 

4) With my armor was bundled a bottle of 'Novus 2, fine scratches remover'. Is that the BEST product to get rid of scratches on plastic? I tried it on a small piece and I didn't see any difference!

 

5) With scratches in mind, would it be a good idea to mask or wrap every parts before handling them?

 

6) How deep of a scratch is 'Novus 2' supposed to be able to remove? Does this weaken the plastic?

 

7) Since 'Novus 2' was bundled with my kit, can I assume that my armor is ABS? or could it be HIPS regardless?

Actually, if somebody could help me figure out who's the maker of my armor, that would be awesome

 

8) I read somewhere that the sniper plate and thigh ammo pack should NOT be attached with rivets for the "specialist". Is that true? If so, what is the right way to attach those?

 

9) The MP40 pouch I have has 4 compartments but all the 501st pictures I've seen shows only 3 compartments.. Do I need to modify my pouch? (I want to buy, for the second pouch, the Roadblock, so that I can carry wallet, cellphone etc)

 

10) Where do you guys get your snaps, for snap plates? it looks like the one I have aren't "long" enough to get a good crimp on my snap plates!

 

 

Well, that's it for now!

 

BTW, I FULLY understand if I get replies similar to TL;DR

but I'd be really grateful if somebody could help me out with a couple of my questions!

 

 

Bad guys with big hearts, and all that...

 

NovaDoM

 

P.S. for some reason, I get an error trying to upload a picture. I'll try again from home

[mikedwelle94[TX]]

Hi Dominic. It looks like you're more than ready to bust out a killer set of armor. I can only answer one of your questions, as I am neither a Nova Elite expert nor a Specialist.

 

10) Where do you guys get your snaps, for snap plates? it looks like the one I have aren't "long" enough to get a good crimp on my snap plates!

 

Tandy Leather Factory. Try to find one locally, but if you can't, you can buy from their website. Look for Line 24 snaps and snap setter.

 

P.S. for some reason, I get an error trying to upload a picture. I'll try again from home

 

Have you tried Photobucket? Copy the IMG links and paste them in your post.

Good luck with your build.

[Novadom]

Second try, for my first picture!

 

[Griffin-X[501st]]

Second try, for my first picture!

 

 

Nice!

[THE TROOPER[501st]]

Awesome !! Will be watching this.....

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

QUESTIONS!

 

1) Since I'm aiming for the Nova Elite "Specialist" title, is there something special I should know BEFORE beginning to assemble the armor (like the need to use specific rivets, webbing, or whatever)? I've read the thread for the "Specialist' requirements (like closed side gaps, etc) but I was looking for more technical aspects, during the build itself A pair up of the threads you read and the main CRL for the Nova Elite will provide what you need. Have you reviewed the CRL on http://www.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TX_novatrooper_elite

 

2) Should I paint the gold on the pieces that requires it BEFORE assembly or after? I would say it depends on the piece and how you are assembling. Will your biceps or forearms come apart or be permanently affixed? You will definitely want to wait to paint until you have trimmed everything for assembly. If permanently connecting pieces, I would paint before connecting. If not, than it doesn't really matter

 

3) What method or product should I use to get the BLACK parts of my armor to get ultra-shiny? Do people use clearcoat? mostly, just applying a clear coat to the dull black ends up not looking quite right. It is better to actually prime and then paint with a gloss or semi-gloss black. I've never been good at painting, but we have other troopers here that can recommend the best methods there.

 

4) With my armor was bundled a bottle of 'Novus 2, fine scratches remover'. Is that the BEST product to get rid of scratches on plastic? I tried it on a small piece and I didn't see any difference!It can depend on the scratches you have. I've found that most minor scratches can be polished out with super fine (15000 grade) sand paper. Now, my armor is finished plastic, not painted, but even paint at that grade paper (up to 20,000) can give you a restored finish. What I've found to work best for actual scratches is Turtle Wax Color Match Scratch Remover. They sell it on Amazon. Depending on your finish, different products have better results.

 

5) With scratches in mind, would it be a good idea to mask or wrap every parts before handling them? Usually the pieces aren't this delicate and believe me, once you are trooping in it regularly, pieces are going to rub and bang and you are going to dull areas and it will require maitenance...maintaining your armor (and upgrading) is an ongoing process. I use pillow cases to wrap various sections of my armor, but its grouped, not like every piece. You'll be wearing this in action, so it will be good to get used to it taking a little beating

 

6) How deep of a scratch is 'Novus 2' supposed to be able to remove? Does this weaken the plastic? I wouldn't say it weakens to any degree that you would notice. It will really only deal with light scratches. Deeper scratches will need some stronger work.

 

7) Since 'Novus 2' was bundled with my kit, can I assume that my armor is ABS? or could it be HIPS regardless?

Actually, if somebody could help me figure out who's the maker of my armor, that would be awesome I was looking at the picture, but they are bit too far away to really tell for my eye. Was the bucket with the kit. If so, take a close up of the bucket front, of the back armor and of the calves and I should have a decent idea. The thickness really gives away whether it is HIPS or ABS. ABS is thicker and when you try and bend an individual piece against its curve, it won't give that much. HIPS will give a lot more.

 

8) I read somewhere that the sniper plate and thigh ammo pack should NOT be attached with rivets for the "specialist". Is that true? If so, what is the right way to attach those? Correct, if going for specialist, no rivets should be used. Any method that won't show the fixture method will work for attaching these. My blackhole is not specialist and is riveted, so I can't recommend a method I used.

 

9) The MP40 pouch I have has 4 compartments but all the 501st pictures I've seen shows only 3 compartments.. Do I need to modify my pouch? (I want to buy, for the second pouch, the Roadblock, so that I can carry wallet, cellphone etc) From an accuracy standpoint, these are based German MP-40 ammo pouches which are specifically 3 pouches, though sometimes a forth exists, smaller, lower, and on one side. Every approved Nova Trooper Elite I have ever seen is 3 pouches. I know the CRL doesn't explicitly say 3, but that's the direction you should go.

 

10) Where do you guys get your snaps, for snap plates? it looks like the one I have aren't "long" enough to get a good crimp on my snap plates! Tandy Leather is the place to go. See if you have one near you. If not, you can order from their site.

[Novadom]

a HUGE thank you, sir

thank you, thank you!

 

I was looking at the picture, but they are bit too far away to really tell for my eye. Was the bucket with the kit. If so, take a close up of the bucket front, of the back armor and of the calves and I should have a decent idea.

 

There was indeed a bucket with the kit, but I prefered to buy a 'specialist ready' bucket from Arakyel.

I'll assemble the bucket that came with the kit sometime in the future, and I think I'll paint it white (so that I also have a regular TK bucket to show off!)

 

As per your suggestion, I'll take pictures of the bucket, back armor and calves, and post them back here...

After thinking about it, I think there's a strong chance that my kit is ABS since a bottle of ABS cement was bundled with my kit (I had forgotten about it, but found it while cleaning up)

 

NovaDom

[Novadom]

Ok so, here goes:

 

Calves, back armor, bucket!

 

Also, on a somewhat related matter: how do you guys feel about a TX sporting a pair of electrobinoculars (painted high gloss black) ?

 

and last but not least, a pic of my pouch... there's a huge rivet exactly where I would need to cut, if I want to get rid of the small compartment.. not sure what to do about that

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NovaDom

[toddo[TX]]

That armor is FX or FX recast. You can tell by the shape of the back, the oversized helmet with the separate vocoder piece, etc. As a result it is most likely ABS. If it isn't painted, then I'd say it is certainly ABS. Good call on replacing the helmet

 

As for the pouch, I would simply drill out the rivet from behind. Then I would cut off the tool pouch from the rest of the pack. It will make a really nice-looking shoulder pouch after that.

 

The binocs would be cool. Just realize that they are not officially allowed as an accessory for this costume. That simply means that you want to keep it out of your approval photos and Specialist application. Otherwise it will be neat to carry those around.

[Novadom]

perfect, thank you!

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

Dominic, just checking in to see how things are going. Hoping everything is still moving along.