Horns

The paint is pretty brittle at this stage. I have a super sharp knife and I still can tell. I'll have to top coat it with a sealer very soon. 

Test fitted. Looking good. I like the placement and all. Time for primer and paint!

Just noticed from looking at this pic, I totally forgot to make the vents!

Hot Glue Sucks

Hot glue:

Never said it before, so I'll say it here. I really dislike hot glue. Not a whole lot of positives, but I can name quite a few negatives....

- takes time for the glue gun to warm up

- glue gun is awkward to use in tight spaces

- glue sticks always run out. all the time.

- MESSY!

- those spiderweb-like strands with each use. And it's endless!! You just keep pulling and pulling

- not really a strong bond.

- dries cloudy

Obstacle: Here, I robbed some hot glue in the area where I was to place the fan. But, it rolled over into the fan blades!!!! UGH!!! Glued them down. I had to go back in, cutting and re-melting the hot glue to rip the  fan unit out. Some more cutting and sanding got the blades free. Hot glue sucks.

Finally got the fan to work again! Wired up all the LEDs for the eyes too. Here, I'm testing out the switch for it too.

First paint

Paint:

The paint scheme was something on my mind from the very beginning. I wanted to try something radical. Something cool. Something not done before. Then a friend said, "Go classic". I just sat there and agreed. It is the more recognizable scheme. No one would say, "Hey! look it's Optimus Prime!" 

Wish Tamiya/Mr Hobby/etc came in large spray cans. Wish hobby paints were cheap.  Then I thought, why would I need to?!? Classic Gundam is white, yellow, and red. That's it! Awesome. That only means a trip to Home Depot to pick up some cheap paints!! Starting out with (sandable) grey primer, flat black for all the insides, and flat white for the helmet. I only need a bit of red and yellow for the face and "horns"(aka V-fins). I may just use my hobby paints and airbrush with that.

Interior painted with flat black. (above pic is still wet) When it's dry, there is absolutely no shine. It gets REALLY dark in there now.

Face painted.

With the blade, I cut out the "nostrils" aka vent holes. I had purposely not reinforced the backside with fabric/resin, so I can cut into it easier.

I can't breathe!

On the subject of ventilation, I was thinking where I should put my mini fans.

Since I cut out these side vents, I can place the fan units behind a screen inside the vents. Heck, I can even rig it so I showcase those running fans. 

Even though these fans run super silent, having them an inch away from my ear can still be annoying. If it's not the fans' noise, then it's the air being pushed through that I will hear.

...Or I can place them behind the vent holes/nostrils. This would give me direct flow of fresh air. I think this route is best. 

And to vent the hot air outward, I chose the most logical place. On the tail end of the "mohawk" piece.