Painting and trimming a new shield

Tally · Post by **Tally** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:06 pm

After a discussion on this thread
http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1177489#1177489
. I bought an aluminum teardrop with a plastic boss last night from Icefalcon:

[img]http://store.fastcommerce.com/_staticProxy/content/ff80808117344aab011752895ad45036/armor3%20162.jpg[/img]

I have not put on the boss yet.

What tips do you have for painting the aluminum?

Can I paint the plastic boss as well, or will the paint just come off?

Thanks in advance for your advice!
Tally

InsaneIrish · Post by **InsaneIrish** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:32 pm

If you are painting straight on the metal do this:

1. sand the surface down real good with 80grit sand paper.
2. clean the surface with windex
3. let dry
4. get a can of automotive flat grey or white primer paint and apply 3+ even coats to the shield allowing each coat to dry minimum of 30 min each.
5. get a can of semi gloss white paint and apply 2 even coats.
6. after it is dry, draw out your device/design on the shield and paint it on with acrylic latex hobby paint.
7. after painting and letting dry, apply 6 coats of clear coat spray to the shield.

That should give you a good solid shield face that will last a while.

If you cover it with canvas it is much easier to paint on it.

For the plastic boss, you will need a plastic specific type of paint to make it stick.

Tally · Post by **Tally** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:41 pm

Thanks for the tip!

I thought of covering it with canvas, but I think that enough canvas to do it would weigh a couple of pounds. Since it is a centergrip and I am an inveterate weenie, I'd rather not add the weight.

How would you add edging? My current shield has holes drilled every two inches or so, and the edging is then attached with parachute cord. I have also seen edging attached with with strips of leather riveted every eight or ten inches. Which is better, or is there another option?

InsaneIrish · Post by **InsaneIrish** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:50 pm

many options for edging. Personally I would use the "U" channel edging from Windrose and then cover that with Rawhide.

Or you could use hose and leather straps

Or you could use hose and then put canvas over the whole thing to hide it.

It really just depends on how much effort you are willing to put into it.

Euric Germanicus · Post by **Euric Germanicus** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:45 pm

Achilles gave me a great idea so I never have to paint a shield again.

He has shield covers made of trigger cloth with stretchy cord on the outside. Sew or paint your device on the cloth, and toss it on for major events and tourneys.