Author Topic: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build [WTF]  (Read 46456 times)

Offline daryldoak

Daryl's AT-AT Driver build [WTF]
« on: March 26, 2016, 08:55:39 PM »
Hello, everyone,

I just recently finished my TK, but I was itching to build something. For my second costume I knew wanted one with more mobility than my TK, but that still had a helmet.

Three of my favorite characters immediately came to mind:

1. TIE Pilot 2. AT-AT Driver 3. Snowtrooper

Ever since I first saw ESB in 1980 I've loved the AT-ATs. I still have all of my original Kenner figures, vehicles, and play sets, including the AT-AT. The choice was obvious: AT-AT Driver. I love the look of the helmet with all the interesting greeblies, and the chest box and tubes.

Here is my parts status:

Armor: WTF (received 5/2)

Helmet: WTF (received 5/2)

Chestbox: WTF (received 5/2)

Commpad: Gucabe@Shapeways.com (received 4/12)

Boots: white Technica Moon Boots Amazon (received 3/25) http://www.amazon.co...ailpage_o00_s00

Ejection Harness material: Strapworks 2" HWP silver gray (received 3/26) http://www.strapwork...lene_p/hwp2.htm

Flight Suit: WampaWear (received 4/7) http://www.wampawear.com/flightsuit-grey/

Gloves: White leather gauntlets w/ added stitch lines (received 4/27) (need to be ordered via email to get stitch lines added) http://www.leathermystics.com/gauntlets/gauntlets.html

Gloves: Rich tools grey welding gloves (received 4/5) http://www.richtoolsystems.com/Grey-Welding-Glove_p_426.html

Balaclava: white (received 4/27) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-Cycling-Ski-Neck-protecting-Outdoor-lycra-Balaclava-Full-Face-Mask

Greeblies/Hoses/chest&back decals: Cueloopz@ACD (received 5/11)

Hoses: Mon-Cal

Helmet clock arms/gears: Blockade Runner Supply

Other greeblies: Elvistrooper (recieved 5/5) http://www.elvistrooper.com/atat.htm

Helmet canisters: Mandalor1an@ACD (received 4/1)

Helmet decals: Trooperbay (received 3/31)

Chestbox lights (ordered 5/24) (I will be following NastyNoah's build on ACD):
Arduino: http://www.amazon.com/Arduino-UNO-board-ATmega328P-A000066/dp/B008GRTSV6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
LEDs: http://www.amazon.com/Sunyou-Bright-Current-Limiting-Resistors/dp/B00ORL4N5Q?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
AA battery holder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O5AZI12/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Frosted acrylic sheet (circuit board): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010MPDUBS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tin sheet (chestbox): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JWTF17W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hard Hat: Home Depot

Helmet Trim: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281861202815?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Testor Cream paint: http://www.ebay.com/itm/311653475738?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Plastidip black for helmet interior.  https://www.amazon.com/Performix-12213-Plasti-Dip-Black/dp/B00I9SK8XY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1472005512&sr=8-3&keywords=plasti+dip+black

I am planning on doing a white gray build for armor, helmet, chestbox, and boots, using the following paint:

VHT SP953 Vinyl Dye Light Gray Satin. https://www.amazon.com/VHT-SP953-Vinyl-Light-Satin/dp/B000CPCRQ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1471494272&sr=1-1&keywords=vht+vinyl+dye+light+gray

Krylon Cover Maxx clear satin https://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K09163000-COVERMAXX-Crystal-Acrylic/dp/B013LT62G2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1472005317&sr=8-3&keywords=krylon+covermaxx+spray+paint+clear


Van Sickle Ford Light Gray post 1965 http://www.landmsupply.com/search-results/vansickle-light-grey-ford-post-1965-spray-12oz

Helmet red details: Model Master "Guards red"

Helmet right-forehead red-dot decal: Model Master "Sunburst"

I'll also be running a parallel build thread on the ACD forums: http://forum.armoredcavalry.net/index.php?/topic/2414-daryls-at-at-driver-build-wip/

(I will be updating this post when I make decisions or changes)
« Last Edit: January 05, 2019, 09:29:44 AM by daryldoak »
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Offline daryldoak

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2016, 09:02:53 PM »
First up: Boot modifications...

Out of the box:
Untitled by daryl doak, on Flickr

Removed logo vinyl, laces, and buckles.  Next some acetone remove the rear logos:
Untitled by daryl doak, on Flickr

Rear logos removed:
Untitled by daryl doak, on Flickr

Initial mods finished, they need tape wraps and grey paint:
Untitled by daryl doak, on Flickr

Strapping for ejection harness:
Untitled by daryl doak, on Flickr

« Last Edit: December 09, 2018, 06:46:47 PM by daryldoak »
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Offline sitpadeshu

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2016, 08:46:47 AM »
Nice start!  Welcome to the sickness. :)
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Offline CJ49er

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2016, 01:07:16 PM »
Nice! I will be following this build for sure, I do love the TA. 

p.s. do you collect all vintage SW?  I am always looking to trade


Chris
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Offline daryldoak

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2016, 04:28:20 PM »
p.s. do you collect all vintage SW?  I am always looking to trade
Chris

I do have my original collection of vintage figures, ships, and playsets.  Unfortunately I really don't have any duplicate pieces that I would want to trade right now.
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Offline Lidocaine

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2016, 04:28:49 PM »
Awesome! Excited to see an AT-AT costume in the works.

What sort of turn around time does WTF have for their stuff?
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Offline daryldoak

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2016, 04:31:11 PM »
What sort of turn around time does WTF have for their stuff?

Sounds like about 4-6 weeks.
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Offline daryldoak

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2016, 07:23:20 PM »
Today I did a paint test on a piece of scrap ABS from my Anovos TK build and on my moon boots. 

I'm using Krylon 4102 misty gray chalky finish, which is a matte finish (see picture above).  It was recommended by someone on ACD forums.

The moon boot test was 1/2 on the nylon and 1/2 on the vinyl.  I was very concerned about how the paint would react when the nylon fabric was flexed, but so far it seems to work great, no cracking or peeling.

I'm wondering how dirty the matte finish might get and how durable it will be without some kind of clear coat.

Overall I'm very happy with the results and I really love the color. 
« Last Edit: December 09, 2018, 06:47:28 PM by daryldoak »
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Offline daryldoak

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2016, 09:58:23 PM »
The paint didn't actually work on the nylon part of the boot.  Was able to easily remove it with my finger.  I removed the paint from the vinyl with acetone.

But this might not be bad news since I just found out from a post on ACD that according to Anovos @ WonderCon, with information from Lucasfilm research, the original AT-AT Driver had white boots and gloves, even though the armor was gray.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2016, 10:01:12 PM by daryldoak »
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Offline daryldoak

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #9 on: March 28, 2016, 08:59:41 PM »
More paint testing.

Wanted to see what a shine would look like on the matte gray so I bought some satin clear coat.

You can see it in the shine.  Not sure I like that.

I think if I want satin I need to find the proper gray in satin, not add a clear coat.
« Last Edit: December 09, 2018, 06:47:59 PM by daryldoak »
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Offline daryldoak

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2016, 08:32:04 PM »
More paint testing today. 

For a comparison I bought some Krylon Colormaster Gloss pewter gray.


You can see scratches I made on the triangle with my fingernail, so I determine the matte finish was no good.

I think the color of the new gloss gray is good, but I notice it's showing a little orange peel texture, though not as bad as the matte + clear coat (see prior post).

It's interesting how different the same color looks in different light and at different angles.  That's probably why most of us thought the AT-AT Driver's helmet and armor were white for all these years.

So I'm still not sure if I'm satisfied with this paint or not.  Someone on the ACD forums thought my problems were either my painting conditions or my painting skills (probably both), but that I should avoid hardware store paint (Krylon) and I should get some hobby store paint.  That's probably my next step.
« Last Edit: December 09, 2018, 06:48:51 PM by daryldoak »
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Offline CJ49er

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2016, 08:39:10 PM »
the enamel spray paint that I got in the auto section of HD did make a huge difference in the orange peel compared to the standard paint. I have never tried the hobby store paint, maybe its comparable or even better than the HD enamel.
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Offline daryldoak

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2016, 09:44:44 PM »
the enamel spray paint that I got in the auto section of HD did make a huge difference in the orange peel compared to the standard paint. I have never tried the hobby store paint, maybe its comparable or even better than the HD enamel.

I looked on the HD website, I don't think that paint comes in the gray I'm looking for.

Someone on ACD forums posted this link, which has tips for getting a good gloss finish:

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/4/t/151120.aspx

I'm going to try the sanding and polishing technique, using my Novus 2.
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Offline daryldoak

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #13 on: March 31, 2016, 10:42:26 AM »
Decision:  gray vs white...

When I first had the idea to build an AT-AT Driver I had no idea there was even a question of what color the helmet and armor were, it was obvious to me: white.

I just recently completed a TK build, approved to Centurion. Everything for the TK build is very well defined on FISD, but then I joined the ACD forums and my whole world was thrown into chaos.

At first I was shocked to find that the original driver was gray, and I kinda rejected the idea. But then I started reading all of the great ACD posts on the topic and I started to come around. I changed my mind and decided that gray was the best idea, especially since levels 2&3 require it.

So I started down the path of going gray. Testing paint, gray gloves, etc. But I was running into issues that started making me reconsider the going gray decision:

- boot painting issues
- my paint skills
- multiple shades of gray on different parts
- extra work

Then I decided that my helmet and armor would be gray, but I'd keep the gloves and boots white. This seemed to be a good balance, and it eliminated the boot painting issue I was very worried about.

But the decision was still plaguing me.

I had read a thread on ACD that gave the advice that it is nice if you match the other Drivers in your garrison. So I decided to contact Kristin to ask what color she was (I really couldn't tell from any of the pictures I saw), and she told me white. That helped seal my decision, but there was one factor that outweighed it: we all saw white when we watched ESB.

I have thought the AT-AT Driver was white for 36 years, and I think 99% of the general public does also. White is "screen accurate" and gray is "set accurate", and for me "screen accurate" wins.

So going white is currently my decision.

Thanks for reading.
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Offline Lidocaine

Re: Daryl's AT-AT Driver build WIP
« Reply #14 on: March 31, 2016, 10:57:42 AM »
re: weird paint issues. I've seen on TDH that low temperature can play a big part in how well your paint behaves too. If it's below ~60 degrees paint does weird things and can look bad. Days like today are great and it's easy street but if you tried it early in the morning when it's in the 40's you'll likely have issues.

I used rustoleum rattle cans for my Boba armor, and while it was a rush job the paint itself for the most part didn't orange peel, and it was plenty warm in Sept, and I have the painting skills of a untrained 4 year old.

Loving the updates!
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