Black Series Darth Vader Helmet Mod Thread!

[NathansPROPS]

I went ahead and pre-ordered the new helmet. Wish they would just make the helmet right in the first place. I just started to turn my extra Black series helmet into the damaged vader helmet. Ever since I saw that last Kenobi episode, I was really tempted to try doing it. Its looking really good so far to me.

As for the damaged spot I used blue painters tape to out line the general shape with the ripped ends of it. since it created a more natural damaged edge look. I was thinking about how to fill the gap and first thought was bondo, but anyone got any better ideas since the damaged side is now being held in place by one screw, I could always re-glue it after I tint the lenses and finish the dome but really open to suggestions. Also the electronics will still work! Made sure not to cut any of those components or the meeting points by accident.

 

[InfinityLord]

Cool!

 

[Cbstudios]

I went ahead and pre-ordered the new helmet. Wish they would just make the helmet right in the first place. I just started to turn my extra Black series helmet into the damaged vader helmet. Ever since I saw that last Kenobi episode, I was really tempted to try doing it. Its looking really good so far to me.

As for the damaged spot I used blue painters tape to out line the general shape with the ripped ends of it. since it created a more natural damaged edge look. I was thinking about how to fill the gap and first thought was bondo, but anyone got any better ideas since the damaged side is now being held in place by one screw, I could always re-glue it after I tint the lenses and finish the dome but really open to suggestions. Also the electronics will still work! Made sure not to cut any of those components or the meeting points by accident.

View attachment 1600425

ajb3art Dude check this out.

NathansPROPS I never knew I wanted to see a black series cut apart like this, but this is gonna look amazing! I kinda like the gap between layers, adds a whole lot of depth to the damage

 

[Halliwax]

I went ahead and pre-ordered the new helmet. Wish they would just make the helmet right in the first place. I just started to turn my extra Black series helmet into the damaged vader helmet. Ever since I saw that last Kenobi episode, I was really tempted to try doing it. Its looking really good so far to me.

As for the damaged spot I used blue painters tape to out line the general shape with the ripped ends of it. since it created a more natural damaged edge look. I was thinking about how to fill the gap and first thought was bondo, but anyone got any better ideas since the damaged side is now being held in place by one screw, I could always re-glue it after I tint the lenses and finish the dome but really open to suggestions. Also the electronics will still work! Made sure not to cut any of those components or the meeting points by accident.

View attachment 1600425

Genius idea!!!

 

[kickman88]

I went ahead and pre-ordered the new helmet. Wish they would just make the helmet right in the first place. I just started to turn my extra Black series helmet into the damaged vader helmet. Ever since I saw that last Kenobi episode, I was really tempted to try doing it. Its looking really good so far to me.

As for the damaged spot I used blue painters tape to out line the general shape with the ripped ends of it. since it created a more natural damaged edge look. I was thinking about how to fill the gap and first thought was bondo, but anyone got any better ideas since the damaged side is now being held in place by one screw, I could always re-glue it after I tint the lenses and finish the dome but really open to suggestions. Also the electronics will still work! Made sure not to cut any of those components or the meeting points by accident.

View attachment 1600425

YES! I have an extra one of these as well and planned on doing the same thing...good to see you paving the way and looking good so far!

 

[JesusKeanu]

I considered buying the new helmet from Hasbro but they didn't fix any of the issues with the face mask or dome so I'm not gonna bother.

I'm currently rehauling my helmet to the best of my abilities to look close to ANH.

So far, I've used milliput to round off the nose, make the neckpiece grille smaller, raise the cheekbones, and shrink the eye holes, which imo were the biggest drawbacks.

I've also done work on the dome. This is an area most people miss or don't fix. The dome is not accurate to any version of Vader. It is too small, curved, and rounded. To fix this, I'm using thick craft foam and putty to thicken the inside and lengthen it. I've also done what most have not - put extra magnets in the dome to hold it into place. I was tired of it coming off to easily, so I glued powerful magnets into the center of the top of the mask and the bottom of the dome.

There are parts of this project I cannot fix. For example, the facemask is too fat (wide) around the eyes. This lends to its toy-like appearance. I imagine this was done to thicken it and allow for interior detail, something the original casted masks did not have.

Another detail which I cannot fix is the shape of the mouth of Vader's mask, the triangular bit - it's too squished. It should be a bit taller than it is, and it's bothered me for a long time, but it's not something any of us can fix.

I've included a before picture at the bottom to show what the changes look like. (This is a helmet I bought 3 years ago and screwed up so this rehaul is necessary for my sanity.)

I made custom mesh grille inserts and plan on making custom lenses as well. There is no plan at this time to make the neckpiece longer. I am in the process of CNC machining aluminum tusks to replace the plastic bits.

I've also designed a display stand with room for LED lights which I'll print this week. The card reads "Seduced by the Dark - Redeemed by the Light."

Some more plaster, putty, sanding and detailing and this thing will be ready to prime and paint. The inside will also be painted and detailed, as will the top of the facemask.

Will it be perfectly accurate? No. If I wanted perfection I'd just buy one on the market. This is an ultimate test of my skills as a modeller.

 

[kickman88]

I like raising the cheeks idea, thanks for the info, looks great so far!

 

[Cbstudios]

JesusKeanu the thicker dome makes such a world of difference. Looks so much meaner already, I'm keen to see how the whole thing turns out!

 

[JesusKeanu]

Thanks and cheers! It's my most audacious project yet, and it's incredibly important to trust the art process. I want it to be as perfect as my skills will let me.

I will say I'm a modeller. I build ships, cars, and I have years of theatre prop experience, so needless to say I've got the hands on approach down xD

 

[VaderCruiser]

Hello. New to thread. I've had a black series helmet since it came out. Originally planed for a costume...but i gained weight and was unable to fit the helmet. It collected dust in the basement untill I redid my famous darth vader cruiser pro audio competition pt cruiser spring of 2020. I used it to create a full size waist up bust of vader in the back behind my amplifiers. I also had bought an old man mask that I painted up like vaders face to add to the full reveal. It's been amazing these past 2 years. But with the reveal of the new helmet with the correct paint and longer neck and red eyes... and seeing them side by side online I knew I had to have the new look. But I'm low on money. But good thing I'm crafty. This is my 2 day journey of giving my vader face a better realistic paint job, and modding the og black series into something great. I used rustoleum gunmetal Grey. And some acrylic craft metallic gold, copper and silver paints.
First day I added realistic shadows and depth to the face... and blood vessels in the eyes. Workds better. Also added to the wounds and scars. 2nd day stripped helmet and did neck extending with some plastic strip off a tote bin, and 2 tone paint job. I bought a giant red sharpie and opened it up and squeezed the ink out of it and brushed it on the back of the stock lenses. The vents I added some copper to to make a more realistic metal and tarnished look. Used copper on the copper parts and silver on the silver parts. Actually drilled the holes out at the top. Added some rust and tarnished look woth the copper on top parts. I didn't replace the vent grills but I painted them to stand out more. Coated with 2 coats of rustoleum crystal clear. Still need to wait couple days intill i can polish and buff it to shine. Looks good for now. I ended my project with some red led light strips that really light up vaders face and eyes. Think I spent a total of $30 for all the paint and stuff. It was worth it. Next on my list is a bigger dome. Want to get my hands on a rubies Supreme dome. I think I'll still get the new helmet sometime, but at least now I'm satisfied.
Heres some pics. First of the og face and mask on the bust I made, and then the transformation pics.

 

[VaderCruiser]

I also plan on getting aluminum tusks from ebay from rotj. I like the points lol. Just for fun here's my 7 year old running around woth the top of the mask on and with vaders saber lol. Love him.

 

[JesusKeanu]

Decided to try on a neck extension just to see. It'll be tricky to putty but I have 5 more boxes of milliput and only this to use it for so let's do it.

I will end up painting and detailing the face mask details after everything is painted. I'm open to suggestions as to what color to use on the gunmetallish areas of the mask. I only use rattlecans.

 

[JesusKeanu]

Finally able to prime the face mask and neck assembly. The dome will have to wait. It needs an extraordinary amount of work.

 

[7-11 Jedi]

Has anyone tried some of the aluminum tusks from eBay? Are the original ones just glued in? I’d like to upgrade mine but haven’t looked at it too closely yet.

 

[JesusKeanu]

The original tusks are either molded in or seriously glued in. You'll need to cut them off.

 

[JesusKeanu]

Finally getting the helmet painted. Dome still needs work.

Here is a comparison ish.

 

[InfinityLord]

Any updates on this JesusKeanu

 

[JesusKeanu]

Not much. My plan for the moment is to finish the dome, paint it silver, and leave the entire prop piece silver. I'll paint the details on the top of his head and weather it slightly.


Accurate Vader helmets are done so often, and this helmet still has inaccuracies. If I want an accurate Vader helmet in future, I'll just purchase one.

 

[InfinityLord]

Cool! Are you going to extend the neck?
Also, if you don't mind me asking, how did you raise the cheeks? I would like to go about doing that when I get my new Black Series (didn't get the old one)

 

[JesusKeanu]

Since I made my neckbrace grille smaller, and because extending the neck is more trouble than it's worth, I did not. Making the neck piece grille area smaller made up for the short neck. Plus, if you extend the neck you need to redo the dome. It will not look accurate at all.

For the cheeks I used milliput and over the course of a few days shaped it. It's not perfect but I'm the only person who knows the imperfections and it doesn't bother me.

Cheers on getting the new helmet. Hopefully you enjoy it! I don't like it personally because they didn't fix any of the major issues, but by all means it's not a bad choice.

If you need any advice, just ask! )

I did do a little work today by painting on a shadow to both sides of the back of the mask. I don't have the dome with me but when it's on, I want the mask to fade into the back of the dome.

This is mostly because where my helmet sits has LED lights behind it and I do not want the inside illuminated by them. I instead want only the inside of the mask illuminated by the display stand.

The inside of my dome will be flat black.

I decided to not buy replacement lenses and instead cut up the stock helmet lens and painted them transparent red. Worked like a charm.

I will paint the nose and tusks chrome as well.

All in all this modified helmet has only cost me about $40.