Predator 1 Bio Mask

[Python]

Just got an email telling me to destroy mine for the refund, it's a shame, but I wont miss it.

 

[Collectorcol]

You had the Fed-Ex bill yet?

 

[mr.thrifty]

You had the Fed-Ex bill yet?

Sounds like an illness....

 

[azurepred]

Thanks!

I hope it'll look even better once weathered and all. Might have to make a seperate thread
about the repaint, along with the Predator 2 mask, that I'm also repainting atm.

I don't get why someone would go through all this effort for a fan made sculpt that looks to be another POS Bio from SS? If it's still available, you could go to the hunterslair and get a Bio from the movie molds. SS just doesn't care about anything they put out anymore.

 

[Collectorcol]

Sounds like an illness....

It is. I get the shakes followed by a cold sweat every time I receive one

 

[Python]

Yeah I got it earlier, still haven't dared open it yet lol, I know it will be wrong as ever, never in my favour either. Need to look into how to try and get it back now although I won't hold my breath.

 

[CallMe_Snake]

Hello all, I've been a long time visitor of these forums but never chimed in before. Well I figured I should now since I finally have purchased my first prop replica from Sideshow. Got my Predator mask in today. After seeing all of the bad things here I had my expectations set pretty low. I was expecting to be upset by what I saw, maybe that's why I was actually surprised to be a little happy with what I recieved today.

I think I got a little lucky with mine, there is no rattling in the mask, the LEDs all light the same, and the paint job doesn't look as bad in person as some of the photos I've seen here. Although the blast mark is pretty cheesy looking and I was planning on touching up the weathering myself to give it a slightly more authentic look.

As far as it feeling cheap or light, I don't feel that way about it myself. I was actually surprised by how solid it feels in hand, although I have nothing to compare it to as far as any other bio helmets from Sideshow. I did own one of the original Icons replicas for many years (I loved that thing, but had to sell it on eBay when time were hard a few years back), I honestly think this one feels much better in hand than the Icons replica did. :/

It's definitely not perfect, I do have the same issue with the display stand when using the desktop mode. The mask does wobble, but using the wall mount is very sturdy and the magnet seems to be strong. I was always planning on displaying it mounted so I suppose it's not a deal breaker for me.

My mask does have the same rough spot on the side with the three hose ports, although not as rough looking as some of the other pictures I've seen here. My mask is number 110, not sure if that has something to do with the issues being worse for some. Either way, it is a disappointment as far as quality control goes. I will be emailing them about the issues so they are aware. Hopefully the more complain, the more they realize they need to make improvements in quality control. (I'm trying to be optimistic, can't help it).

Anyways, Those issues aside I am happy with what I got today. After feeling so sad selling my Icons Predator mask years ago, it feels good to finally have the classic Predator mask back in my collection again... Might be why I'm so forgiving of the flaws. Hmmm...

Here's some pics, sorry if the quality isn't great. Took these with the iPad, might be too large. :/

View attachment 153122View attachment 153119

 

[mr.thrifty]

Hello all, I've been a long time visitor of these forums but never chimed in before. Well I figured I should now since I finally have purchased my first prop replica from Sideshow. Got my Predator mask in today. After seeing all of the bad things here I had my expectations set pretty low. I was expecting to be upset by what I saw, maybe that's why I was actually surprised to be a little happy with what I recieved today.

I think I got a little lucky with mine, there is no rattling in the mask, the LEDs all light the same, and the paint job doesn't look as bad in person as some of the photos I've seen here. Although the blast mark is pretty cheesy looking and I was planning on touching up the weathering myself to give it a slightly more authentic look.

As far as it feeling cheap or light, I don't feel that way about it myself. I was actually surprised by how solid it feels in hand, although I have nothing to compare it to as far as any other bio helmets from Sideshow. I did own one of the original Icons replicas for many years (I loved that thing, but had to sell it on eBay when time were hard a few years back), I honestly think this one feels much better in hand than the Icons replica did. :/

It's definitely not perfect, I do have the same issue with the display stand when using the desktop mode. The mask does wobble, but using the wall mount is very sturdy and the magnet seems to be strong. I was always planning on displaying it mounted so I suppose it's not a deal breaker for me.

My mask does have the same rough spot on the side with the three hose ports, although not as rough looking as some of the other pictures I've seen here. My mask is number 110, not sure if that has something to do with the issues being worse for some. Either way, it is a disappointment as far as quality control goes. I will be emailing them about the issues so they are aware. Hopefully the more complain, the more they realize they need to make improvements in quality control. (I'm trying to be optimistic, can't help it).

Anyways, Those issues aside I am happy with what I got today. After feeling so sad selling my Icons Predator mask years ago, it feels good to finally have the classic Predator mask back in my collection again... Might be why I'm so forgiving of the flaws. Hmmm...

Here's some pics, sorry if the quality isn't great. Took these with the iPad, might be too large. :/

View attachment 153116View attachment 153117View attachment 153118View attachment 153120View attachment 153121View attachment 153122View attachment 153119

Awesome man!!! Glad you actually like it.

Great first post btw!! Welcome to the forum... .

 

[CallMe_Snake]

Thanks for the warm welcome mr.thrifty.
*warning... pic heavy post, incoming.

So I spent a little time this weekend with my mask, wanted to see if I could match the weathering to some of the images of the screen used mask. I wanted it to have that well-worn look, like it had been on many hunts before and has been roaming around the jungles. The way Stan Winston's team made it look.

First big issue I had was the lenses, they should definitely be darker. That was one big, but basic flaw in Sideshow's paint. So I carefully brushed in some gloss black enamel paint, gloss so it would be dark but still have a slightly shiny look and hopefully look reflective like a lens of some kind. That already made a huge difference to me.

After that I used some cheap art store acrylic paint that I thinned out with water. Just flat black and white. Brushed in the black parts for the stains and blast marks, let that dry then used some very thinned out white to give it an over all wash. That helps make it look a bit more old and worn, also lightens up the overall color and makes the dark lenses stand out more.

These were simple tricks that only took an hour or two but I think it makes the mask look way more screen accurate. I'm now very happy with it. Just a shame whoever did the paint on this project didn't pay more attention to the reference material. I really think it is a great sculpt for the mask (other than the rough spot near the hose ports), they just really hurt the over all look with the bad paint scheme.

Well, here are some pics of it now. Tried to get different angles and in different light situations for these.
Also have a few 'before and after' shots, so you can see that under that weak paint job, there really is a great looking Predator mask.

Also dug up some old pics of my Icons Replicas mask for comparison, and wow. I really think Sideshow's mask beats the crap out of the Icons one as far as screen accuracy goes (well... after fixing the paint that is) I never realized just how 'off' that mask was until today, I loved that thing for so many years. lol Well, I'm much happier with this one now.



Before and after..


..and VS Icons *yikes

 

[Freak-1138]

Cool repaint! waaay better than the original factory paintjob! I also like the darker lenses.
I thought about doing the same to mine, they are way too bright - I just have to figure out how dark I want them to be.

Oh and welcome to the forum btw.

Thanks for the warm welcome mr.thrifty.
*warning... pic heavy post, incoming.

So I spent a little time this weekend with my mask, wanted to see if I could match the weathering to some of the images of the screen used mask. I wanted it to have that well-worn look, like it had been on many hunts before and has been roaming around the jungles. The way Stan Winston's team made it look.

First big issue I had was the lenses, they should definitely be darker. That was one big, but basic flaw in Sideshow's paint. So I carefully brushed in some gloss black enamel paint, gloss so it would be dark but still have a slightly shiny look and hopefully look reflective like a lens of some kind. That already made a huge difference to me.

After that I used some cheap art store acrylic paint that I thinned out with water. Just flat black and white. Brushed in the black parts for the stains and blast marks, let that dry then used some very thinned out white to give it an over all wash. That helps make it look a bit more old and worn, also lightens up the overall color and makes the dark lenses stand out more.

These were simple tricks that only took an hour or two but I think it makes the mask look way more screen accurate. I'm now very happy with it. Just a shame whoever did the paint on this project didn't pay more attention to the reference material. I really think it is a great sculpt for the mask (other than the rough spot near the hose ports), they just really hurt the over all look with the bad paint scheme.

Well, here are some pics of it now. Tried to get different angles and in different light situations for these.
Also have a few 'before and after' shots, so you can see that under that weak paint job, there really is a great looking Predator mask.

Also dug up some old pics of my Icons Replicas mask for comparison, and wow. I really think Sideshow's mask beats the crap out of the Icons one as far as screen accuracy goes (well... after fixing the paint that is) I never realized just how 'off' that mask was until today, I loved that thing for so many years. lol Well, I'm much happier with this one now.

 

[mr.thrifty]

Now that's a write up!!

Awesome work man! Definitely upped it to the next level...



Wait a second... Does that post make me a "fanboy"?

 

[broman]

Nice work Snake

 

[Freak-1138]

I finally got around to do the new weathering on my mask:

May do a bit more detailing in some places, and darken the lenses.
But I'm quite happy with its current look.

 

[mr.thrifty]

I wish some of ya'll lived near me so I could see about getting some of my bios touched up.

 

[kroenen77]

Great repaints,guys!I cannot wait before I can repaint mine next year!

 

[Python]

Great repaint, looks much better.

The icons mask is warped just like the real thing is if you look closely. This sideshow one is nice and symmetrical at least if nothing else.

 

[CallMe_Snake]

Thanks for the kind words.
Great work Freak-1138, proper weathering goes a long way on this piece.

Python - your right about the warped mask, I almost didn't even notice that issue. The paint and lenses though, gah!
Those mirror-like lenses are sooooo wrong and the paint on the icons mask was, dare I say.. worse than Sideshow's?!? It was just random paint splatter with no attempt at matching the original prop as far as the stains and blast marks. Wow, and I used to think that mask looked great.

 

[Jaycepticon]

I wish some of ya'll lived near me so I could see about getting some of my bios touched up.

yeah, I was about to shoot him a message and after I saw your reply, I noticed he was all the way from Denmark

 

[j97e1]

Buy Sideshow Mask = Wait wait wait. Get mask. Get upset. Get pissed-off. Deny replacement. Spend extra. Rework. Repaint. Always have doubt.

Buy from The Hunters Lair = Hang on wall. Happy.

 

[Freak-1138]

Yeah! I would gladly do commissions.. iiiif shipping stuff back and forth just wasn't such a pain in the

When I repainted my NECA gremlin stunt puppet replica a few years back, I was met with the same interest,
but it was impossible to do without it costing a fortune. A lot of these prop replicas and other cool collectibles
are hard to find over here - and when you finally do, the dealers charge almost double the original retail price.

It was good times when Sideshow had a warehouse located here in the EU.. This Predator mask did arrive in 6
days from the US, which is insanely fast.. - but the taxes and import charges from FedEx was a total of $165!!..

It sometimes sucks to live on the other side of the World!

But glad you like the work..

I wish some of ya'll lived near me so I could see about getting some of my bios touched up.

yeah, I was about to shoot him a message and after I saw your reply, I noticed he was all the way from Denmark