Steampunk Flex 8 - Lots o' pics

[Warwitch]

Just finished my latest mask painting project. I decided to go with a steampunk theme on this one. As promised I took pics throughout the process and I will attempt a little "how to" (or at least "how I did".)

Here is a list of the supplies I used:

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6264/dsc03514wt7.jpg

X-acto knife with # 11 M blade
200 grit sand paper
sponge pad
alcohol (not pictured)
roll of soft release masking tape
Krylon Fusion spray paint (gloss black, copper hammered and choco brown hammered)
stiff bristle round brush
soft flat brush
fine liner brush

OK, first things first I removed the goggle strap. Then I gave the whole thing a good scuffing with the 200 grit sand paper. I know Krylon says "no sanding required" but in my experience its always best to give the paint something to really bite to.

I then wiped the entire mask down with a damp sponge pad to remove most of the dust. Then a follow up wipe with the alcohol to remove any dampness or oil residue.

Next I taped off the lense and foam. Take care not to cut into the lense when trimming the tape off. Also remember to tape the vent holes in the top of the frame (inside) to prevent misting the lense.

I gave the whole thing a base coat of gloss black. This was to be the color of the vents and has to be done first.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6238/dsc03497bq0.jpg

Then I dry brushed the vents with a contrasting color (choco brown.) I did this by first spraying a bit of color on a piece of cardboard and dipping the brush in it. Then I removed most of the paint by dabbing it on a dry area of the cardboard. Next I lightly brushed the tip across the vents to give it a worn and weathered look.

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7475/dsc03498je2.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5376/dsc03499sd9.jpg

After letting the venting areas dry for a couple of hours I started masking them off. This was a tedious task of overlaying the tape, slowly working it into the corners and finally trimming it out. It probably took two hours to do complete this part. :meh:

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5554/dsc03500aa3.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5247/dsc03502ap8.jpg

Next I painted the frame area with a couple coats of the Choco Brown Hammered Fusion. I chose the hammered finishes because I thought it would give a cool effect to the mask.

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8646/dsc03503ql1.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8152/dsc03505ab7.jpg

Again I let the paint dry for a couple hours to harden adequately enough to handle. Then I taped off the frame and a portion of the lowers.

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9001/dsc03506fz5.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6872/dsc03507iy6.jpg

The remaining areas I hit with the Copper Hammered Fusion for a good contrasting metalic look. I forgot to take a pic at this stage :doh: sorry.

I let the entire mask sit and cure for a full 24 hours before removing the masked areas. Carefully picking them up by lifting one edge with the X-acto knife. I used the soft flat brush to paint the JT emblems in contrasting shades for detail. I also did touch up with the fine liner brush and the appropriate colors using cardboard as a pallate like before.

continued below...

[Warwitch]

Here is the finished product!

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/347/dsc03509mt3.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2859/dsc03510ym1.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9691/dsc03512nn4.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7229/dsc03511qj8.jpg



Thats all for now. Thanks for looking!

[Smoothice]

Wow. Looks awesome.

So time consuming I will never even attempt it.

:cheers:

[DevilMan]

Looks damn good!!!! Patience grasshopper!!!!

I don't have any!!!

One question... wouldn't it have been easier to remove the parts? Like the lense and the separate pieces? Just wondering because I don't know how those are affixed.

Good job though.

DM

[Warwitch]

Looks damn good!!!! Patience grasshopper!!!!

I don't have any!!!

One question... wouldn't it have been easier to remove the parts? Like the lense and the separate pieces? Just wondering because I don't know how those are affixed.

Good job though.

DM


Actually its quicker to tape off the lens IMO. Removing/replacing the Flex lenses is a pain.

[JaKaL]

You need to add some useless crosshairs and brass scopes and gears and magnifying glasses and crap onto that to make it really look steampunk.

[Swamp Thing]

War witch very nice mask paint job. Your color selection and such is outstanding.

Swamp

[nevets11_2003]

I would be afraid to use it.

[trevorjk]

man you should finish it off with a clear finish or something otherwise that is going to scratch super easy :(

[Warwitch]

Eh, no worries. Ill just paint it up something different. I only plan on using it when Im taking pictures. I seem to get shot a lot more than when Im playing. :cuss:

The last couple masks Ive done have just been for weekend projects. Ill do something fancy when I get an airbrush. ;)

[[NA]WARLORD]

Thats pretty sick Warwitch, very nice job :hail:

[TwilightG]

:wow: Nice job and excellent attention to detail!!
How about a pic of the mask from the front?

[Warwitch]

:wow: Nice job and excellent attention to detail!!
How about a pic of the mask from the front?


Bam!

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9287/dsc03515pm6.jpg

[Spider-TW]

Actually its quicker to tape off the lens IMO. Removing/replacing the Flex lenses is a pain.
Also, you still have to protect the inside from over spray and the paint on the frames probably wouldn't like it when you stretch it to put the lens back in.

Nice job!

[TwilightG]

Bam!


Very cool..

I've got a "beater" mask laying around that I should probably paint up for fun... someday when I get some free time :rolleyes:

[Warwitch]

Also, you still have to protect the inside from over spray and the paint on the frames probably wouldn't like it when you stretch it to put the lens back in.

Nice job!


QFT. This is just a rattle can job. Something to do over the weekend. Ill do something really extravagant when I get a new airbrush. :ninja:


Edit: Id like to note that the camo Fusion flexes a lot more than the metallic ones do.

[Gate]

wow, great job :headbang: I really love the color sheme

you said that you already did a couple of other masks, did you get to use them in a game? and if so how well does the paint hold

I've done a JT Spectra with Krylon camo paint and a plastic primer and the paint doesn't hold well on the flexible ear pieces (the primer seems to stick well tough).

[Warwitch]

wow, great job :headbang: I really love the color sheme

you said that you already did a couple of other masks, did you get to use them in a game? and if so how well does the paint hold

I've done a JT Spectra with Krylon camo paint and a plastic primer and the paint doesn't hold well on the flexible ear pieces (the primer seems to stick well tough).


Here is a Flex 8 full I did for my wife with the Fusion Camo. It seems to be holding up fine. You really need to give it the full 7 days to cure before using what ever you painted.

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9659/flex3zp3.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1160/flex2lg2.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/5923/flex5ea4.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/4636/flex1mn8.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9365/flex4pv1.jpg

[punkncat]

Just out of curiousity, what qualifies this (or anything else) to be "Steampunk"?

I see this term floating around everywhere and people calling this that and the other "steampunk'ed" but there really in many examples seems to be no central theme.
Like I saw a picture of some ugly guy wearing googles and a chimney sweep outfit and he was steampunk. Or the picture circulating around here of the ugly truck with the chains and skulls hanging off and it is steampunk....

So what the hell is Steampunk?

[Warwitch]

Just out of curiousity, what qualifies this (or anything else) to be "Steampunk"?

I see this term floating around everywhere and people calling this that and the other "steampunk'ed" but there really in many examples seems to be no central theme.
Like I saw a picture of some ugly guy wearing googles and a chimney sweep outfit and he was steampunk. Or the picture circulating around here of the ugly truck with the chains and skulls hanging off and it is steampunk....

So what the hell is Steampunk?


Its a style. Kind of Dune-esque if you will. Steampunk : Wiki link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk)

[ultralight]

Just out of curiousity, what qualifies this (or anything else) to be "Steampunk"?

I see this term floating around everywhere and people calling this that and the other "steampunk'ed" but there really in many examples seems to be no central theme.
Like I saw a picture of some ugly guy wearing googles and a chimney sweep outfit and he was steampunk. Or the picture circulating around here of the ugly truck with the chains and skulls hanging off and it is steampunk....

So what the hell is Steampunk?

steampunk... (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/minniapple/steampunk.jpg)


Basically, imagine if the world of the future were built using 1890's technology...and meth.

Excellent mask Warwitch. Could you post a "how to" for your ghillie grill?

[Gate]

thanks for the reply, your wife mask is also really cool,
guess I'll sand my spectra and give it another shot (and try to be a little more patient this time)

thanks for the "how-to" btw, good job :cheers:

[Hilltop Customs]

nice job.....that drybrushing really gives it a subtle detail that most people wouldnt think of adding. :hail:

cant wait to see what you can do with an airbrush :headbang:

[Warwitch]

steampunk... (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/minniapple/steampunk.jpg)


Basically, imagine if the world of the future were built using 1890's technology...and meth.

Excellent mask Warwitch. Could you post a "how to" for your ghillie grill?


Not much to write on the ghillie grill. I just made a 2' x 2' ghillie panel and attached it to the mask with zip ties.

[Turtlehumper2000]

very nice mask you have inspired me LOL I got a proto flex that i painted awhile ago and i think im gonna repaint it using your how to

[SummaryJudgement]

Wow. Looks awesome.

So time consuming I will never even attempt it.

:cheers:

I AGREE!

Looks hot, but don't have the motivation myself, ha. How durable is it?

Good job!

:clap:

[Warwitch]

I AGREE!

Looks hot, but don't have the motivation myself, ha. How durable is it?

Good job!

:clap:


Havent had a chance to use it in a game yet. Its mostly just for when Im taking pics.

It seems like the camo stuff is tougher and more flexible than the standard Fusion though.

[Zone Drifter]

Wow, both the Steampunk and the camo one are absolutely phenomenal paint jobs!

[Thotograph]

Dude they look so cool no one is going to notice you're playing in a :tard: helmet!

J/k I always wear a turtle cap on the field and typically some neck protection too. People don't take head protection serious enough at all. Those stupid soft ears leave you wide open. They don't even cover your ears what gives? How do you like the Flex8 full? I think the 8's look decent but they taper a bit much around the ear (most goggles have this issue for me), always liked the sand camo ones.

Do you still have the grillz (od and tan) you were rockin at AKAOG day at CFP? Those colors are cool I think I might look at some of those. I like my (slightly custom'd) od green spectras but I think the lenses are kinda subpar optics wise. They always get cloudy and you can't clean them enough... that and when you do wash them the thermal seals fail and then you get water and fog inside them. I'm on my second set and yea changing them is a task.

[Empyreal Rogue]

To truly steampunk the helmet you need to add some cogs, visual illumination devices, steam pipes, adjustable magnification spectacles, and maybe even a time piece.

[Warwitch]

Dude they look so cool no one is going to notice you're playing in a :tard: helmet!

J/k I always wear a turtle cap on the field and typically some neck protection too. People don't take head protection serious enough at all. Those stupid soft ears leave you wide open. They don't even cover your ears what gives? How do you like the Flex8 full? I think the 8's look decent but they taper a bit much around the ear (most goggles have this issue for me), always liked the sand camo ones.

Do you still have the grillz (od and tan) you were rockin at AKAOG day at CFP? Those colors are cool I think I might look at some of those. I like my (slightly custom'd) od green spectras but I think the lenses are kinda subpar optics wise. They always get cloudy and you can't clean them enough... that and when you do wash them the thermal seals fail and then you get water and fog inside them. I'm on my second set and yea changing them is a task.


:tard: helmet. Thats funny. :p Yeah, Ive never been a fan of soft ears either.

The mask is a little "echo-y". More so when you are shouting directions. Other than that it feels awesome. You really do feel totally protected. Especially with the little neck flap in place.


To truly steampunk the helmet you need to add some cogs, visual illumination devices, steam pipes, adjustable magnification spectacles, and maybe even a time piece.


I thought about it but I really didnt want anything hanging off the mask that would get hung up on branches or scratch up my marker/camera.

I do still have the Grill and thats what I wear 99% of the time for play.

[Thotograph]

When you take one in the softer areas of the mask does it ever get through? How's the side/ear protection for the grillz? Sometime if I'm wearing a headband I'll tie it so that it covers them completely. I wanna get one of those things I forget the name of... shameghhghghdgs or something. Basically one of those desert head wraps. Those things are kinda cool lookin.

Ha yea I've seen people playing in the cheaper full head protection rig form JT and it looks pretty rockin... is the Flex8 pretty low profile? Seems like it'd make your head more of a target.

[Warwitch]

Well, you arent going to see any tourney players in them. But the people that will gravitate to something like this arent worried about the extra couple inches of target area.

It covers my ears really well. Ill have to get the wife to get some pics of me wearing it next weekend.

[Thotograph]

Eh you don't have to sweat it to much... I'll try one on next time I play. I think my field sells them. Just wish they'd drop the price, they're still right at $90.

[Shingo]

If you're using an airbrush to apply the color, ever think of using Parma Paints (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDD25&P=7) ? These paints are used in RC Car bodies that take a lot of abuse. The paint dries flexible and it bonds to plastic / rubber material very well. Parma is also nitro fuel resistant which is more "corrosive" then the typical water-based liquid in most paintballs.

I have some PolyCarbonate (aka PC or Plexiglass) painted with some Parma Paint. I'll see if I can shot it with a paintball to see how it holds up.

[Warwitch]

If you're using an airbrush to apply the color, ever think of using Parma Paints (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDD25&P=7) ? These paints are used in RC Car bodies that take a lot of abuse. The paint dries flexible and it bonds to plastic / rubber material very well. Parma is also nitro fuel resistant which is more "corrosive" then the typical water-based liquid in most paintballs.

I have some PolyCarbonate (aka PC or Plexiglass) painted with some Parma Paint. I'll see if I can shot it with a paintball to see how it holds up.


Definitely familiar with their stuff. I used to do a lot of R/C bodies for friends. The only issue with that stuff is that its made to apply to the inside of a clear lexan body. Its not really formulated to stand up to paintball impacts. It is pretty damn flexible though.

[Shingo]

Definitely familiar with their stuff. I used to do a lot of R/C bodies for friends. The only issue with that stuff is that its made to apply to the inside of a clear lexan body. Its not really formulated to stand up to paintball impacts. It is pretty damn flexible though.

I'll give it a try on the plexiglass... then i'll test it on something more flexable. You're right about this paint being used on the inside of the RC Body, but there are two things that makes me curious about using this paint for this application 1) it's more flexible then homedepot/auto can paint 2) it's designed to stick/bind to plastics.

I might have some can paint at home... perhaps I can test both Parma and Can Paint. hmmm

[Warwitch]

I'll give it a try on the plexiglass... then i'll test it on something more flexable. You're right about this paint being used on the inside of the RC Body, but there are two things that makes me curious about using this paint for this application 1) it's more flexible then homedepot/auto can paint 2) it's designed to stick/bind to plastics.

I might have some can paint at home... perhaps I can test both Parma and Can Paint. hmmm


It would be really cool if it does work. So many colors to choose from and mix with Parma. I guess you could always get a clear Save Phace mask and reverse paint it.

[Turtlehumper2000]

to bad save phace masks arent that great of masks. I wonder how well car paint would stick.

[Turtlehumper2000]

Warwitch you have inspiredf me to build a steam punk mag as my next project. Ill let you know how it goes.

[drewkroeker]

I wouldn't want to play with it because it would get shot up. But maybe you've got such awesome skill that no one ever hits you... :ninja:

Ha ha jk that is very nice, keep up the good work.