First time build - Advice on paint/approvability

[TylerJohnsonSD]

Hi all -

I'm in the process of my first build for a ROTJ TB-scout.  It's definitely a learning curve, but I'm getting better at technique and finding better materials to use, thanks to the help of some good Samaritans in this forum.  

However, I was curious of a couple things:

1) How clean/accurate the GML require armor pieces to be.  >More specifically, if there was slight dripping or minor imperfections in the paint, is it approvable?  So long as the entirety of the piece in question was fully covered in gloss white w/ proper elastics?  (I understand that light weathering is allowed, so I'm hoping for a little flexibility to save some time and energy) 

2) I've had complications applying a final coat of enamel to parts of the helmet, resulting in some crackling.  However, the white undercoat is layered on nicely and is uniform.......Would it work to apply some car-wax over a fine-sanded area to achieve the right amount of glossiness??   Has anyone had experience doing something like this?   Pros/Cons?

The next challenge, is going to be finding/making the flak vest.

Thanks in advance, for any advice!

-Tyler

[Chopper]

Hey bud, if you could post some photos of the paint areas in question, then we can take a look and let you know.

[TylerJohnsonSD]

HELMET:  In the past, when glossing, The crackling had some darker coloration underneath, which showed even when sanding.   Now, the the dark spots are gone, but it still bunches up a bit.  I hear that it may do this if the humidity is relatively high...     This is what I was hoping to sand down finely and go over it with some turtle wax.

 

Forearm:  There are definitely some other areas from this last painting that I'll have to sand again, but if I end up with 1-or-2 of these (below), is it generally OK per GML?

 

 

 

[Chopper]

Ah, I see what you mean. Did you lay down multiple layers of paint? How long have you been waiting between layers?

What I'm seeing looks like a combination of humidity + the underlying paint layers not being dry.

And if I recall, you're putting together a 3D printed scout? If that's the case, then your armor and helmet should at least appear as if it was ABS, as per the original armor. I'm not saying that your GML will necessarily notice these surface imperfections in your submission photos, especially on the helmet, but if they are brought to light, then yes, they could be an issue.

The helmet will need some wet sanding work, but the drip you highlighted doesn't look like a huge deal. The drip can likely be wet sanded with 600 and 800 grit sandpaper, but it looks like there's also a lot of paint rippling around your thumb?

Personally, I'd recommend that you wet sand down the imperfections with 400 and then 600 grit sandpaper, let it dry, and then give it another coat when the humidity is below 80%.

 

[TylerJohnsonSD]

Thank you for this!   I had a feeling that it may have been due to impatience  

Yes, several layers of paint (at least 3) and I usually let it dry about (1) day, after sanding.  It sounds like I may need to wait about 2 days, reading some others folks similar troubles.

**UPDATE:  Today, I started working on a couple other pieces, like the chest and back plate - Only this time I went to Home Depot and switched up the spray paint from Rustoleum "American Accents" over to "Painters Touch" and the difference is night and day!    And mind you, I literally JUST wet sanded these w 800 and set them in front of the fan for about 15 minutes, so I'm pleasantly surprised that it took and it's holding.   I feel confident enough to start adding the details and greeblies now!

I'll wait one more day on the helmet gloss... Humidity today is less than desirable.

Gracias, Señor Chopper!

[Chopper]

No problem bud. We've all been there.