Fudz073
Active Member
So, as my first build, I feel as if I should post what i've done so far as a means for advice rather than to demonstrate. I see myself making a hell of alot more pieces after this initial project. I want to make sure I'm not making some fatal flaw that will come to haunt me later as I'm strutting down the street as MFC. So please... emphasis on PLEASE... if you have any advice or suggestions PLEASE post.
Anywho, enough chit chat. Here's what i've done so far.
[/url] P7260241 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
So we've got the pepakura Mk V helmet
[/url] P7260244 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
Next I reinforced the the helmet with balsa wood strips. I was concerned that the weight of the fiberglass resin would sag the top of the helmet.
[/url] P7270251 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
After a coat with fiber glass resin, i removed the center structure.
[/url] P7270254 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
While investigating ways to reinforce the helmet, i was torn between fiberglass and polyurethane plastic resin. Having a little experience with the polyurethane resin, I decided that would be the easiest option. In order to apply resin, the helmet needs to be sealed completely. I started with the visor.
[/url] P7270263 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
Once the visor area was sealed (relatively speaking) the bottom needed to sealed off. After some measuring, I did a little pepakura unfolding of my own. (BTW if anyone knows how to do this with pepakura designer, please let me know).
[/url] P7270265 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
[/url] P7270273 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
Once everything was in place, I applied some more fiberglass resin and liberally applied hot glue to any holes or gaps.
[/url] P7270268 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
When everything was sealed, I poured the polyurethane plastic resin. Its called Smooth Cast 300. Once mixed it has a two minute pot life. I rolled the helmet around to coat the entire inner surface until the resin hardened. After two coats the helmet was rock hard.
[/url] P7270269 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
[/url] P7280275 by Fudz073, on Flickr[/IMG]
I removed the back section and the visor. Of course it needs ALOT of sanding and several layers of bondo. My only concern is the visor. If anyone has any suggestions on how to tackle this problem, I'd love to here it.
This is what I've done so far. It's turning out better than I expected but I'm hitting a snag every step of the way. But that's the process. I'll post more as I go along. But if anyone has any suggestions please post. I'm open to any advice. Thanks again.
Anywho, enough chit chat. Here's what i've done so far.
So we've got the pepakura Mk V helmet
Next I reinforced the the helmet with balsa wood strips. I was concerned that the weight of the fiberglass resin would sag the top of the helmet.
After a coat with fiber glass resin, i removed the center structure.
While investigating ways to reinforce the helmet, i was torn between fiberglass and polyurethane plastic resin. Having a little experience with the polyurethane resin, I decided that would be the easiest option. In order to apply resin, the helmet needs to be sealed completely. I started with the visor.
Once the visor area was sealed (relatively speaking) the bottom needed to sealed off. After some measuring, I did a little pepakura unfolding of my own. (BTW if anyone knows how to do this with pepakura designer, please let me know).
Once everything was in place, I applied some more fiberglass resin and liberally applied hot glue to any holes or gaps.
When everything was sealed, I poured the polyurethane plastic resin. Its called Smooth Cast 300. Once mixed it has a two minute pot life. I rolled the helmet around to coat the entire inner surface until the resin hardened. After two coats the helmet was rock hard.
I removed the back section and the visor. Of course it needs ALOT of sanding and several layers of bondo. My only concern is the visor. If anyone has any suggestions on how to tackle this problem, I'd love to here it.
This is what I've done so far. It's turning out better than I expected but I'm hitting a snag every step of the way. But that's the process. I'll post more as I go along. But if anyone has any suggestions please post. I'm open to any advice. Thanks again.
