Blemish sanding a Heiland...

[RevengeoftheSeth]

So I started to sand the Heiland flash for blemishes (there were some light scuffs from where the clamp had been put on and removed), I quickly discovered that the chrome finish was very shallow and the scuffs were much deeper than I had anticipated.

As you can see, the [brass?] is starting to show through from underneath, much like a sinktube would do.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/dontstopthabeat/DSCN0554.jpg

Here are some close-ups.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/dontstopthabeat/DSCN0553.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/dontstopthabeat/DSCN0547.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/dontstopthabeat/DSCN0544.jpg

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? Should I just keep going with the whole thing and make a gold colored Darth Vader hilt? Should I get it re-chromed? Is there another alternative?

[cardcollector]

If my sinktube starts to do that, I like to run 220 sandpaper vertically up and down the tube. So as to create a brushed effect.

[xl97]

If you want gold/brass color..keep going.. if you want original color..

get it chromed..

[RevengeoftheSeth]

After talking about it in the shoutbox last night, I decided to go ahead and sand it down to the brass and go with that look. I can always rechrome it, later.

EDIT: Here it is, sanded and polished.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/dontstopthabeat/DSCN0563.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/dontstopthabeat/DSCN0562.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/dontstopthabeat/DSCN0560.jpg

[xl97]

last pic it still looks chrome!?

also.. if you DO plan on re-chroming later..keep in mind parts you make/have made to fit the OD of the tube may NOT fit once tings are re-chromed.

just an FYI to keep in mind.

[RevengeoftheSeth]

Yeah, my camera doesn't reproduce colors very well, but it is definetely a nice brass color. The ambient light in the room made it look chrome.

I did contact someone about rechroming it and they said it would take 2-3 weeks, but it would only cost $25. It's a local business.

[xl97]

sounds about right.. usually the times can vary as they either send out or only do large batches..so they wait to 'pile up projects' to do at once.

[RevengeoftheSeth]

sounds about right.. usually the times can vary as they either send out or only do large batches..so they wait to 'pile up projects' to do at once.

Yeah, I think it must be the latter.

[jjshumpert]

looks good seth, assemble that thing and lets get some action pics :D

[RevengeoftheSeth]

looks good seth, assemble that thing and lets get some action pics :D

I could just strip my FX vader, but I'm going to order the real parts and make a more accurate "golden gun" version. I'm short on cash at the moment :sad::sad:

[jjshumpert]

im gonna do a black body version to offset yours now :D you have inspired me

[jin starkiller]

hope to see it done soon .....i now have 2 graflex on my bench that i got for a steal on ebay for just 60 for the 2 of them ....i might have to do a brass version to see how it comes out

[RevengeoftheSeth]

im gonna do a black body version to offset yours now :D you have inspired me

LOL Cool! Is it like the black clear look? Like a dark chrome?

[jjshumpert]

black metalic high gloss is what i had in mind, let ya know how it comes out...