Quick question. When making the ecto goggles out of welding goggles, are the welding goggles “soft”? I think its called bendable pvc or something. Is there a “hard shell” version of the welding googles I could use? I’ve searched for the kind from Norm’s plans and I beleive those are “soft.”
And lets go one step further, If the soft ones are the ones most people use, are they durable? And is it possible to paint them? Thanks guys. -Vin
Well..they’re durable, but as far as painting goes, that is a good question. I have a newly painted pair.. Surprise! They aren’t drying. But then again, who’s fault is that? Mine for not reading before spraying.
So I will await further details on paint, as I’m sure someone on here has some kind of advice (even if it’s to strip the paint back off and throw them in the trash, it’s a step I suppose.)
Mine have lasted since I made them, as far as I’ve never dropped them. Everythings still holding good to this day. There are a few spots on the edges I don’t think I hit quite as well with the paint, it’s peeling a little but it’s not noticable or bad.
I did primer, then the green, then Matte Clear that I had from previous use on gaffed card tricks…worked really well! I was sure it would be tacky but to this day, they have a smooth dull feel. Can’t really tell they used to be another color or were painted at all.
Norm’s plans mentions for the 3rd coat a clear flat DULL COAT. What I used is in the paint aisle(duh, it’s paint), I wanna say it’s pretty much the same thing? American Accents Clear Top Coat protective crystal clear finish. The barcode is 7902830 MATTE CLEAR. I can’t speak for everyone else but I really recommend it from my experience finishing my goggles with it!
Once I used a sander to rough up the “soft” rubber parts and used a primer and a clear coat, mine were just fine.
Go to an automtove store and buy a can of spray Vinyl Dye. its designed for automative rubber, bumbers and trim. USe any color you’d like, then paint OD green over it. The spray paint will adhere to the new surface. Also, consider an adhesion promoter specifically designed for plastic.
Cool thanks alot for the info guys.