Cadet #2025 (Stephanie) Build thread!

**Echo3_Skywalker[TK]** · July 18, 2020

Hello everyone! Today is BBB day for me!!!!! Im so excited I have a million questions and dont even know where to start! I would appreciate and starting off advice or any advice really. I ordered a ANH kit from Daves Dark side Depot. Thank you in advance!!

Stephanie Felton Cadet #2025

**gmrhodes13[Staff]** · July 18, 2020

Happy days, nothing like BBB photos, looking forward to seeing your build, remember research is the key and measure twice and cut once, good luck

**Echo3_Skywalker[TK]** · July 19, 2020

So this is my first of a million questions I have right now, I want to go straight for centurion approval and for that I need “green bubble eyes” and the ones that come with my kit are flat can I use these or do I need to get different ones?

Stephanie Felton Cadet #2025

**MaskedVengeance[Staff]** · July 19, 2020

Hi Stephanie! So excited for you and your BBB day! I remember the feeling when I had mine.

As for the lens, if you’re going for a Hero build and need bubbles lenses, the flat lens material will not work as-is. I’ve been building a Stunt myself, but I’m sure somebody will come around with more information on how to get bubble lenses.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**gmrhodes13[Staff]** · July 19, 2020

Firstly are you building a Stunt or Hero version, CRL's here:

https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_anh_stunt

https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_anh_hero

For stunt you don't need bubble lenses: Lenses are flat material, green in color, sufficiently dark enough to obscure the costumer's eyes.

Here is a spreadsheet of the differences

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10tEVteIreh6AHMogW010cuH_Bf8TBfU6/view

Some bubble lens sellers in this thread https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/44782-bubble-lenses/

**Bootlegger137[501st]** · July 19, 2020

Stephanie, if you’re doing the Hero TK, I think I might have some bubble lenses laying about. I’ll check when I get home in the morning. You’re welcome to them if they’ll work for you.

**TKSpartan[Staff]** · July 19, 2020

Hi, Here you can find a quick guide on each Stormtrooper Ep 4,5,6

Cheers :salute:

**gmrhodes13[Staff]** · July 19, 2020

7 hours ago, TKSpartan said:

Hi, Here you can find a quick guide on each Stormtrooper Ep 4,5,6

Cheers

It's ANH Ep4, just waiting to see if its Stunt or Hero version

**Echo3_Skywalker[TK]** · July 19, 2020

So the kit a got came with bot stunt and hero decals for the helmet but only flat eye lenses so I guess its probably better to go with stunt, right?

Stephanie Cadet #2025

**gmrhodes13[Staff]** · July 19, 2020

Have a look at the datasheet I posted there are differences between hero and stunt. lots of Hero pieces are different, lenses, ears, screws, holster

**Echo3_Skywalker[TK]** · July 21, 2020

Hey everyone so l had a question about types of paint for the details on the helmet, I have a bunch of this paint left over from another project I was doing recently (I have it in black for the helmet details) and wanted to know if this would be any good or if there is another paint that is recommended. Thank you!

Stephanie Cadet #2025

**justjoseph63[Staff]** · July 22, 2020

Hi Stephanie! The kind of paint you have there is acrylic, which may adhere to your helmet (and ab buttons) at first, but unfortunately it will simply not last, and will flake/rub off very quickly. Water based paints simply do not bond to plastic the way enamel (oil based) paints do, so it's better to go with enamel from the start. (Trust me on this one).

You can pick up small containers of enamel paint at any hobby/craft store, and I also suggest purchasing some quality brushes to apply it with, not those cheap "throw away" ones you find at discount stores. Bad brushes = bad results. I would also recommend picking up some mineral spirits to clean the brushes with (thoroughly) after each use.

This is your build thread, so please feel free to ask ALL the questions you have... we are here to help every step of the way! Posting photos will be very helpful, especially when you come across an issue that you need assistance with.

**Firedog[TK]** · July 22, 2020

14 hours ago, justjoseph63 said:

Hi Stephanie! The kind of paint you have there is acrylic, which may adhere to your helmet (and ab buttons) at first, but unfortunately it will simply not last, and will flake/rub off very quickly. Water based paints simply do not bond to plastic the way enamel (oil based) paints do, so it's better to go with enamel from the start. (Trust me on this one).

You can pick up small containers of enamel paint at any hobby/craft store, and I also suggest purchasing some quality brushes to apply it with, not those cheap "throw away" ones you find at discount stores. Bad brushes = bad results. I would also recommend picking up some mineral spirits to clean the brushes with (thoroughly) after each use.

This is your build thread, so please feel free to ask ALL the questions you have... we are here to help every step of the way! Posting photos will be very helpful, especially when you come across an issue that you need assistance with.

I picked up a bottle of Model Master Semi-gloss black for my helmet details only to realize that after I had started painting, it was the acrylic. It looks good now, but your comment has me concerned. Should I remove it and redo the vocoder in enamel or wait and address it if I have issues later? I guess my concern is paint chipping off during a troop and looking sub-optimal.

**gmrhodes13[Staff]** · July 22, 2020

I have found acrylic comes off plastic quite easily, I use it for weathering on some projects as it's easy to rub off, using enamel based paint will make sure it lasts

**justjoseph63[Staff]** · July 23, 2020

16 hours ago, Firedog said:

I picked up a bottle of Model Master Semi-gloss black for my helmet details only to realize that after I had started painting, it was the acrylic. It looks good now, but your comment has me concerned. Should I remove it and redo the vocoder in enamel or wait and address it if I have issues later? I guess my concern is paint chipping off during a troop and looking sub-optimal.

The Testors Model Masters line comes in both acrylic and enamel, but unfortunately has a limited number of colors so I would go with their regular line of model paints.

To remove the acrylic paint I suggest Goo-Gone or a similar citrus based product, NOT acetone or the like.

Satin Black: Testors # 1747 for vocoder, trap/ tear/ear bar outlines/stripe(s), TD screw heads.

Gloss white for all rivet heads (excluding cod rivet). (Hint: Sand the heads down first for better adhesion).

I believe Dave supplies the decals** for the traps and tube stripes, but if you decide to paint them go with:

Gray: Testors # 1138 for trap/tear drop/ear bar background, ANH frown and ab-buttons.

French Blue: Testors # 2715 ForTube stripes/ab buttons.

**Decals are acceptable for all levels.

**Firedog[TK]** · July 23, 2020

8 hours ago, justjoseph63 said:

The Testors Model Masters line comes in both acrylic and enamel, but unfortunately has a limited number of colors so I would go with their regular line of model paints.

To remove the acrylic paint I suggest Goo-Gone or a similar citrus based product, NOT acetone or the like.

Satin Black: Testors # 1747 for vocoder, trap/ tear/ear bar outlines/stripe(s), TD screw heads.

Gloss white for all rivet heads (excluding cod rivet). (Hint: Sand the heads down first for better adhesion).

I believe Dave supplies the decals** for the traps and tube stripes, but if you decide to paint them go with:

Gray: Testors # 1138 for trap/tear drop/ear bar background, ANH frown and ab-buttons.

French Blue: Testors # 2715 ForTube stripes/ab buttons.

**Decals are acceptable for all levels.

After I painted my traps and tears, they looked pretty decent. I was going to hand paint everything, but when I got to the point of trying to paint the lines on the traps, I quickly realized my hands weren't steady enough, so those decals Dave provided started looking better and better. Needless to say, I removed the paint and took the easy route. The decals he provides look really good on the helmet.

**Echo3_Skywalker[TK]** · July 23, 2020

After I painted my traps and tears, they looked pretty decent. I was going to hand paint everything, but when I got to the point of trying to paint the lines on the traps, I quickly realized my hands weren't steady enough, so those decals Dave provided started looking better and better. Needless to say, I removed the paint and took the easy route. The decals he provides look really good on the helmet.

Thats good to know I was debating on using the decals or not

Stephanie | Cadet #2025

**gmrhodes13[Staff]** · July 23, 2020

For fine lines that are a little wonky you can go over with a black permanent marker, a little easier to control compared with a paint brush

**Firedog[TK]** · July 23, 2020

3 minutes ago, gmrhodes13 said:

For fine lines that are a little wonky you can go over with a black permanent marker, a little easier to control compared with a paint brush

That’s good advice. I had thought about a paint pen as well, if I can find one in enamel semi-gloss black. I would like to have all hand painted and may tackle this in the future.

**TK-28046[TK]** · July 23, 2020

1 hour ago, gmrhodes13 said:

For fine lines that are a little wonky you can go over with a black permanent marker, a little easier to control compared with a paint brush

A paint marker is a good choice too, or trust your pulse with a very fine brush.

**Echo3_Skywalker[TK]** · July 25, 2020

PROGRESS UPDATE!!

I used the dremal tool / sanding method that was recommended to me by someone, flattening the teeth from the inside with the dremal tool until there were holes and then sanding the edges by hand) and this is the result!

Stephanie | Cadet #2025