PiotrRasputin's Death Trooper WIP

[PiotrRasputin[TX]]

So before we got to freezing temperatures, I tried my last bit of painting the top most face piece, and a section of the main helmet that needed to be sanded and redone because the clear coat formed visible drip marks. I masked off the good areas and just repainted and clear coated the area I needed (ignore the dust on the helmet, it came off after the picture was taken).

Is there a way to buff this out, or am I just going to have to sand it down with high grit sand paper again and repaint/clear coat it?

 

Also, while trooping our Thanksgiving Day parade in Downtown Chicago, a fellow garrison member told me he has a full paint booth setup at his home, so we are going to set up time in late December to paint the the face piece the gloss black that it needs. I'm also bringing my 3D printed E-11D blaster to paint the scorched end of it as he is really good with airbrushing.

Which brings me to the meat of the update.  Been working on the belt to more properly secure the boxes in place.  

I assume the placement looks good?  I just need to secure the left most box, the leather pouch and attach the hidden 2" plastic clip on the other end to make it a functional belt.

[Chaos[CMD-DCA]]

"Is there a way to buff this out, or am I just going to have to sand it down with high grit sand paper again and repaint/clear coat it?"

"Tis but a scratch!" 😆 As long as its only in the clear coat or paint you can buff it out with auto rubbing compound, then hit it with a polishing compound. If it's into the primer or material, it will definitely need to be wet sanded and repainted.

I assume the placement looks good?  I just need to secure the left most box, the leather pouch and attach the hidden 2" plastic clip on the other end to make it a functional belt.

Placements look good. Good idea to wait on the rear pouch until you can put it on and position it correctly before affixing it. I can't tell you how many times I have seen DTs with their rear pouch way out of alignment. 

[PiotrRasputin[TX]]

19 hours ago, Chaos said:

"Tis but a scratch!" 😆 As long as its only in the clear coat or paint you can buff it out with auto rubbing compound, then hit it with a polishing compound. If it's into the primer or material, it will definitely need to be wet sanded and repainted.

Which type of cloth should I use to hand buff it out?  I have a sponge drill attachment, but last time I tried buffing it out, I burned the clear coat.

[Chaos[CMD-DCA]]

Which type of cloth should I use to hand buff it out?  I have a sponge drill attachment, but last time I tried buffing it out, I burned the clear coat.

When I have to polish any paint or clearcoat on any of my armors I use an orbital hand buffer. You have to take it slow and use very little pressure when doing it as to not generate any friction heat.

https://www.amazon.com/DECKER-WP900-6-Inch-Random-Polisher/dp/B000077CPT/?th=1

If you want to hand buff with the polishing compound, I have used the sponge that comes with the Turtle Wax cans.

[PiotrRasputin[TX]]

Picked up the rubbing and polishing compounds over the weekend.  Going to attempt the clear coat fix this weekend when i'm officially on vacation. 

In the mean time, I grabbed some Tamiya Gloss Black airbrush paint for the last part of the face to paint with a fellow garrison member at his place. 

Another member was kind enough to print out the vinyl E-11D decals and will be shipping them to me. Big thanks to @Chaos for the files.

 

 

Which leads me to my next question:  what paints did any of you use to get the scorched look on your blasters?

[DoggyDoc[CMD-DCA]]

On 12/16/2024 at 12:40 AM, PiotrRasputin said:

Which leads me to my next question:  what paints did any of you use to get the scorched look on your blasters?

I used Alclad2 Hot metal paints  

 

https://alclad2.com/finishes/hot-metal/

[PiotrRasputin[TX]]

Well, I managed to buff out the excess clear coat yesterday thanks to @Chaos's advice.  I ended up having to use the rubbing compound on a sponge drill attachement to knock it down.  You would have to get VERY close to it to see any resemblence of what was there.

Before 

 After 

With that done, I was then able to attach most of the face and visor I cut out to the dome. Taking the top part of the face to a garrison members place to finish painting it as it's too cold to use the Tamiya spray cans in my unheated garage.

Fits great on my large noggin'.  Just need to work on getting the helmet liner installed to prevent bobblehead. Already put the power pack/controller for the tusk lights inside, holding it in place with velcro. 

 

Also got all the vinyl stickers on the blaster.  This is also coming with to get painted for the scorched barrel end.

 

So close, I can taste it! Hoping to get everything done before our big convention in April!

[PiotrRasputin[TX]]

Well...it's been over a year since I started...but I just finished building the helmet today.  Added the helmet liner insert and tactical pads to stop bobblehead movement and it fits comfortably with room for fans and power packs!

I will do a full suit up tomorrow, January 5th, to get this groups' CDA's consensus before submitting for approval to my GML.  Can't wait!

[PiotrRasputin[TX]]

Well...I did a full suit up, timed it to about 15 minutes with the help of my wife. I also submitted photos to my GML.  Fingers crossed!

[Chaos[CMD-DCA]]

Looking good Dan,

I made some constructive comments which will help with some "fitment" issues. Your GML may not mention anything about them, but they will help with the overall aesthetics of your costume. Let me know if you have any questions.

Suit up Look.pdf

[PiotrRasputin[TX]]

5 hours ago, Chaos said:

Looking good Dan,

I made some constructive comments which will help with some "fitment" issues. Your GML may not mention anything about them, but they will help with the overall aesthetics of your costume. Let me know if you have any questions.

Suit up Look.pdf 689.22 kB · 7 downloads

Thanks @Chaos.

Working from home today, so I'll look into those adjustments.

-I can confirm on the chest the recessed pill shape is painted flat black. The overhead hallway light with reflected off it at a weird angle.

-Good catch with the thighs, I can add a second strap for each today or tomorrow.

-I'll need my wife around to help with the abdomen/belt/codpiece adjustment and I'll need to get more snaps for that anyways.

[DoggyDoc[CMD-DCA]]

Looking good. Just some figment issues as. Halos pointed out and you are there. I enjoyed watching your journey. Congratulations on approaching the finish line. 

[PiotrRasputin[TX]]

I appreciate all the help everyone has given me during the build! 

While I wait for word from my GML, during the suit up, I had a question about the shin armor.

Am I able to cut the flap near the rear bottom and glue it in place? I think it would make things easier for me when suiting up as this is a clam shell style shin.

 

 

[Chaos[CMD-DCA]]

Yes, as long as the cut edges butt up against each other so there is no gap.

[PiotrRasputin[TX]]

Well, I just got word that I am APPROVED!

I am making the small adjustments that @Chaossuggested regarding the posterior armor, belt and abdomen this weekend.

I've already added the 2nd straps in the back of the thighs and they fit MUCH better now.  

Wow, what a journey it's been! Thank you all for the help over the past year! Now to request full SpecOps access!

[Chaos[CMD-DCA]]

Congratulations! Post up some final photos the next time you suit up or attend a Trooping! Well done Tropper!

[DoggyDoc[CMD-DCA]]

Congratulations Dan. Well done.