Section 4: Cheek Screens
For the cheek screens they are not actual screens. Though if you're tech savvy such a thing could be done if wanted. However here we will not be doing digital screens but translucent covers for the symbol to glow utilizing the LED strips we put on the cheek caps earlier.
FurBitten Studios uses a Cricut machine to cut black vinyl for the icon. If you do not have access to this there is another way! We will be covering this other method in this section.
Materials and Tools you will need:
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Plastic Blanks (provided with your kit by FurBitten Studios)
Exacto Knife
Masking tape
Super glue
Scissors
Hot Glue gun + Glue
Clear coat spray paint (NOT automotive grade)
Black Spray paint
Gel Light Filter
Diffusion Film
Airbrushing is also an option here if you wish. Hand painting is not recommended but can be done. Expect it to be a tedious process though with a hand brush as you will need to do several coats to get the brush marks to go away.
Step 1 :
Take a blank and hold it up to a light source ( light pad or window will work) take a piece of paper and trace the cheek screen pattern. This is just to act as a backup should you remove the film with the side the pattern is drawn on. This will also help in drawing your icon in Step 3.
Step 2:
Remove the film ONLY on the side that does not have the pattern drawn on both cheek screen blanks
Step 3:
Cover the entire piece ( both of them) with masking tape on the side you removed the film from. Using your paper template draw the pattern on the masking tape. Now draw in your cheek icon.
NOTE: Be sure you leave about 1/4in space around the edge of the pattern to account for the lip of the cheek hub.
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The tab cuts on the cheek screens are NOT symmetrical. Pay attention to how the design will sit when placed in the cheek. Use paper templates as needed to line up your design on your cheek PER side. You may need to draw your design backwards as the work we will be doing in the next steps will have the paint on the INSIDE of the cheek hub.
Step 4:
Using your exacto knife cut around your icon. You'll want to press down to get through the tape. Go over it twice if need be. Once you have finished cutting remove the masking tape LEAVE the tape that makes up your icon. You want your icon to STAY masked.
Step 5:
With your pieces prepared now grab your clear coat. You will do one layer of this clear coat. This is just it helps seal any gaps along your masking so the paint does not get under it. This isn’t necessarily required but helpful. You can choose to skip this just know you might need to clean up some bleed through.
Step 6:
Once your clear coat is dry you can apply your first layer of black paint. Once dry, do at least one more coat. You can do additional coats as needed. Once you can hold it up to light and see no light coming through you are good.
Step 7:
Using your paper template if needed, you can now cut out your screens
Step 8:
Using your knife carefully remove the remaining masking. Grab the gel filter of your choosing and cut a piece big enough to cover the icon for both screens. Once you have your pisces cut remove the protective film from your gel filters and super glue it to your cheek screen on the side WITH the paint. You only need to do a few drops in a couple of places to hold it in place.
Step 9:
Apply diffusion film to the ENTIRE screen over the paint and gel filter. You can just cut a large square and then trim off the extra. Use a card to really squeegee it down (apply similar to vinyl)
Step 10:
With all the work now done you can remove the protective film on the front of the cheek screen piece
Step 11:
Fit your screens into place and hot glue around the edge from inside the cheek hub to secure into place. If everything was done correctly the side on the outside of the helmet will be the unworked side of the plastic. Having the unworked side of the plastic on the outside will keep your screens intact and scratch free!
Cheek screens are done!
