Brand New MLCv3...where to start?

[ShaunPug]

Hey everyone!

I've been at a stand still putting together my Scout, but my wife surprised me yesterday by telling me that she ordered me an MLCv3 for Christmas! I cannot wait to get my hands on it, but in the weeks before the helmet arrives, I'd like to know what additional things I need?

I have a lens that I bought with my MC armor, and also a snout ( I assume its the correct one....is there a way to tell for sure?) and decals that came with my MC stuff as well.

So what about the chin strap/cup, bolts, hard hat liner, etc?

I just read a thread on painting the bucket so I think I'm ok there, but what about all the prep?

I'm super excited right now! thanks to anyone who can help me get started on my very first bucket!

[kabuto]

The MLC V3 has the chin cup included, and the snout that is included to your MC armor would fit it perfectly. Its already been primered and ready for painting.

[Chex]

And you don't really need the hard hat liner. You can use foam, a liner, etc for it. I use ach pads that are used in army helmets. If you look in the for sale thread, I think there is still a thread for ordering the bolt covers.

[jyjellyfish77]

The MLC comes with bolt covers that are pretty good, I still use them. All I needed was helmet pads, lens, and decals. I got mine about 6 months ago. I wouldn't recommend the hard hat band because it doesn't really match up with the holes well. I love the military helmet pads because they can be moved all over. Enjoy it, it's a great bucket.

[Ketchup]

Oh, I'm jazzed that the MLCv3 already has a chin cup! That's the one I'm getting, and I was wondering how I would have to install that chin cup... AWESOME!

 

The snout pieces that MC makes are the most accurate, to my knowledge, and they're designed to go with the MLC helmet.

[Griffin-X]

I have a DVH snout, Trooperbay decals, 3m bolt covers, and a shade 5 lens on mine. On the inside, painted black with simple foam padding.

[ShaunPug]

Thanks everyone for the replies...it seems like I'm in pretty good shape! I'll check out the trade forum as well.

I know tgat a lot of TKs install fans in their buckets...is there a need for that on TBs as well?

[EnigmaEngine]

My bucket is a KS, but with no mesh in the ears the air circulation is fantastic. It won't hurt, but it's not as necessary as with the fully-enclosed TK buckets. Since it's something you could install after the assembly, I suggest....trying it on first. I sat around wearing my balaclava and helmet while browsing at my computer just to get a feel for the temperature over time. Perfectly comfortable.

[ShaunPug]

Good point. Speaking of Blaclavas, are there any preferences the best ones?

I found a topic on the trade forum titled:

Accurate TB Helmet Hardware kit & Headband kit

 

by kwdesigns....does anybody have this kit? It seems like its a good bet for the accurate bolt cover.

[EnigmaEngine]

I know a lot of people swear by UnderArmor brand for the balaclava. The biggest thing to remember is to get a light/summerweight material....you don't need the extra insulation! I grabbed a no-brand one for eight bucks at my local military surplus shop, and it works great. Amazon is full of options as well.

[Griffin-X]

I use this one in the Summer:

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/131-229

 

And this one in the Winter:

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/115-015

[ShaunPug]

Just got my helmet and balaclava in the mail today!

I'm really looking forward to getting started on it!

And you don't really need the hard hat liner. You can use foam, a liner, etc for it. I use ach pads that are used in army helmets. If you look in the for sale thread, I think there is still a thread for ordering the bolt covers.

Chex, as far as ACH pads go, how do these fair?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RCLM8Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1TCS2UQOFIXU7

 

I've seen some people add a black liner material on the inside of their buckets and on the pads...what exactly is that stuff called?

You can see a great example of it on cucblack's thread for his new helmet here:

http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?showtopic=11286

 

And lastly, if one is going for Lancer, what material goes in the ear holes?

-Thanks!

[EnigmaEngine]

For lancer, nothing. The ears should be open and empty. Which means the inside (at least where it shows) has to be painted or lined black. I just used black spraypaint. Sloppy, but it did the job!

[ShaunPug]

I ordered the accurate hardware from here on the Trade Forum and should receive it sometime next week.

I checked out Centuri's old thread on his MLC build and had a few questions...

- I watched ROTJ again and noticed that most of the Scouts had different numbers of the carved out stripes on the back of the helmet...I saw some with 7 (like the MLC has) or as many as 9...is there a number that most people normally go for?

- If I was to re-shape the chin area for a more "curved in" look like in the film, what tools would be best suited for the job?

-The visor doesn't close flush...is this something that will need to be fixed by sanding or some other method?

 

Lastly, I'm thinking of having my helmet professionally painted by a body shop...how much would that cost? Does anyone here have any experience with that?

Sorry for the load of questions, and thanks again for all of the help!

[Southscout]

Great choice!

 

I'll try to give my 5 cents on a couple of questions.

 

- Paint the inside with black Plast-Dip spray. The rubbery surface is good for not letting sweat gather up. Just tape up the helmet in a plastic bag and spray away.

- Yes, the face doesn't close really flush. You can either try to modify it or add some velcro to keep it shut. You also have some adjustment possible with how hard you tighten the bolts.

- The ACH pads you list seems good. Add some velcro on the inside to fasten them on. You don't need a liner on it, it doesn't show. And it's very individual how you place the pads since we all have different head shapes.

- If you want to, and can find them, you can change the bolt covers quite easily. It will require some dremel work if you want to keep using the bolts supplied by MC. I did it, and my wife can't understand why I spent $10 on getting a small indentation on the bolts

- The mesh in the ears is not really needed. If it's painted black on the inside, and your'e wearing a black balaclava, it will be quite.. eeh.. black.

- Regarding painting by a body shop there has been people here doing it. Just search around and you will most likely find it.

 

Good luck!