Grant G. Posted April 19, 2010 Share #1 Posted April 19, 2010 I bought this helmet on ebay it had the biggest dent I've ever seen in a helmet however it was no problem for a hammer. I won it for 12 dollars and figured I'd restore it here you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 19, 2010 Author Share #2 Posted April 19, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz232sqn Posted April 20, 2010 Share #3 Posted April 20, 2010 Nice one,you done a good job.......I have seen a lot worse, from so called "Expert restorers" Good on ya Mate :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 20, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted April 20, 2010 Nice one,you done a good job.......I have seen a lot worse, from so called "Expert restorers" Good on ya Mate :thumbsup: Thank you very much gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz232sqn Posted April 21, 2010 Share #5 Posted April 21, 2010 Thank you very much gaz No worries Mate,your welcome :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted April 22, 2010 Share #6 Posted April 22, 2010 Looking good! If you don't mind me asking (I've got a fixed bail shell to restore) how did you choose your cork and where did you obtain it? I know J Murray sells it (and I assume it is the correct size) but I'm thinking of using model railway 'fine cork' made by Javis. Good job anyway! Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted April 22, 2010 Share #7 Posted April 22, 2010 Excellent restorative work! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gparlin Posted April 22, 2010 Share #8 Posted April 22, 2010 By any chance do you have any photos of the “before” restoration? If so that would be a great comparison. Gregg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOLO Posted April 22, 2010 Share #9 Posted April 22, 2010 nice work, but it could use some dried dirt to simulate age Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share #10 Posted April 22, 2010 Looking good! If you don't mind me asking (I've got a fixed bail shell to restore) how did you choose your cork and where did you obtain it? I know J Murray sells it (and I assume it is the correct size) but I'm thinking of using model railway 'fine cork' made by Javis. Good job anyway! Will Hey Will, I'm only 16 so I don't really have forty bucks to drop on a bag of J Murray cork so I take a different approach. When ever my parents finish a bottle of wine, or whenever I'm at a family gathering, I always go arround and collect the corks to all the wine bottles. I take a piece of cork and grate it on a cheese grater (I usually use about two corks per helmet (with plenty of cork left over). I take the grated cork and sift it through a small mesh strainer (for consistency). I put the sifted cork (which should feel like powder to the touch and also stick to your palms if your hands are sweaty) into an empty seasoning shaker. I then paint a stripped shell with Krylon flat olive drab (using a brush). When the paint is still wet I shake the cork onto the wet paint (this process can be messy, but do not do it outside since the wind will ruin your results). once dry I rub off any loose cork and then paint a couple coats with krylon flat olive drab paint (spray). I'm sure railroad cork would work just as well but it may not be cheaper. - Grant :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted April 22, 2010 Excellent restorative work! :thumbsup: Thank you Bugme, That means a lot coming from you! -Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted April 22, 2010 By any chance do you have any photos of the “before” restoration? If so that would be a great comparison. Gregg I'm sorry Gregg, I do not but I will be doin another one rather soon and I will take pictures. There is a reenacting website which has step by step instructions and their technique is similar to mine. -Grant Helmet restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted April 22, 2010 nice work, but it could use some dried dirt to simulate age I have contemplated leaving it out in the rain for a couple of days! -Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjones5452 Posted April 22, 2010 Share #14 Posted April 22, 2010 :thumbsup: Bravo Grant! Last week I did exactly the same thing! We must have been reading the same forum at the same time.I decided the night before just to see if the Wal-Mart had what I needed,I got a bag of 6 bottle corks.the grader,salt shaker,Krylon Camo OD and I was set.I had no problems outside,just waited for the wind to die down some.Started the next morning and that afternoon I had 2 restored fixed loop helmets. You can't tell any difference between my 2 and either one of Josh Murray or ATF. I've never been a artsy crafty type guy and all thumbs to,so if I can handle it,no problem. It's also a whole lotta fun,you wouldn't think it,but it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share #15 Posted April 22, 2010 :thumbsup: Bravo Grant! Last week I did exactly the same thing! We must have beenreading the same forum at the same time.I decided the night before just to see if the Wal-Mart had what I needed,I got a bag of 6 bottle corks.the grader,salt shaker,Krylon Camo OD and I was set.I had no problems outside,just waited for the wind to die down some.Started the next morning and that afternoon I had 2 restored fixed loop helmets. You can't tell any difference between my 2 and either one of Josh Murray or ATF. I've never been a artsy crafty type guy and all thumbs to,so if I can handle it,no problem. It's also a whole lotta fun,you wouldn't think it,but it is. That's great! Good work Mr.Jones! -Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted April 23, 2010 Share #16 Posted April 23, 2010 Hey Will, I'm only 16 so I don't really have forty bucks to drop on a bag of J Murray cork so I take a different approach. When ever my parents finish a bottle of wine, or whenever I'm at a family gathering, I always go arround and collect the corks to all the wine bottles. I take a piece of cork and grate it on a cheese grater (I usually use about two corks per helmet (with plenty of cork left over). I take the grated cork and sift it through a small mesh strainer (for consistency). I put the sifted cork (which should feel like powder to the touch and also stick to your palms if your hands are sweaty) into an empty seasoning shaker. I then paint a stripped shell with Krylon flat olive drab (using a brush). When the paint is still wet I shake the cork onto the wet paint (this process can be messy, but do not do it outside since the wind will ruin your results). once dry I rub off any loose cork and then paint a couple coats with krylon flat olive drab paint (spray). I'm sure railroad cork would work just as well but it may not be cheaper. - Grant :thumbsup: Grant, that's genius! I had never thought of using a bottle cork and a cheese grater, I'll have to give this a go! :thumbsup: When I do my next shell in a few weeks time, I'll try and post a how to or something. Thanks for the inspiration, Grant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earlymb Posted April 23, 2010 Share #17 Posted April 23, 2010 Grant, that's genius! I had never thought of using a bottle cork and a cheese grater, I'll have to give this a go! :thumbsup: When I do my next shell in a few weeks time, I'll try and post a how to or something. Thanks for the inspiration, Grant! I think you need to use the coarser/bigger of the 2 grates? See this link for some close-up pics of the original cork finish on an absolutely mint Schlueter: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...lueter,and,mint Greetz David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 23, 2010 Author Share #18 Posted April 23, 2010 I think you need to use the coarser/bigger of the 2 grates? See this link for some close-up pics of the original cork finish on an absolutely mint Schlueter: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...lueter,and,mint Greetz David Hey David, I use the very smallest side of the grater and those are the results i get, cork that has beeen grated using the large side is much to large- what looks small in your hand will look huge on a helmet, since the cork absorbs some paint and expands. -Grant :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 23, 2010 Author Share #19 Posted April 23, 2010 Grant, that's genius! I had never thought of using a bottle cork and a cheese grater, I'll have to give this a go! :thumbsup: When I do my next shell in a few weeks time, I'll try and post a how to or something. Thanks for the inspiration, Grant! Thank you very much! -Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndID Posted April 23, 2010 Share #20 Posted April 23, 2010 Great job, the helmet looks great! :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing your corking method. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 24, 2010 Author Share #21 Posted April 24, 2010 Great job, the helmet looks great! :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing your corking method. Michael Thank you very much Michael -Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radar44 Posted April 24, 2010 Share #22 Posted April 24, 2010 Very Nice, I wish I could do something like that for that price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted April 24, 2010 Share #23 Posted April 24, 2010 Grant, just a great job! The lid looks great, and very industious of you to use wine cork to redo it. Brilliant work, and it looks great! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmax Posted April 24, 2010 Share #24 Posted April 24, 2010 Great restoration, looks close to the real thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz232sqn Posted April 24, 2010 Share #25 Posted April 24, 2010 Hi Grant. Great tips,and as before a great finish, the cork and cheese grater idea is genius. In the past I tried to, produce fine particled cork for a restoration job......I used my wife's food blender, and er,well she was'nt too pleased about it.....she made this quite clear "I'm not happy,about you using my blender". I replied "Me neither ,the corks far too big,your blender, is clearly not up to the job" Anyway I digress, keep up the restoring ,Grant, your an inspiration,to the next generation of collectors. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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