<![CDATA[Latest posts for the thread "Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay"]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/54.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay UK and once again I'm doing a costume - my best yet. Yes, my Inquisitor and then my House Delaque-inspired ganger were cool, but this should be better.

I'll be going as an Imperial Guardsman, and I've made the majority of the costume already. I have shin and thigh plates and torso armour all made from EVA foam (this still needs some work), a vox-headset (old Xbox 360 headset resprayed metal), a copy of the Uplifting Primer (of course!) and a repainted Nerf Stampede for a lasgun. Seriously, it looks like a lasgun!

My only problems are the shoulder pads (I have half an EVA foam tile for these) and straps/elastic for the legs and shoulder guards. Any suggestions for how to get these done? The rest of the foam will be exposed to a heat gun or hair dryer and formed in the next few days, then I need to figure out how to seal the foam (any suggestions on decent spray stuff? I'll be putting down at least two coats before actual colour and maybe matt varnish). I'm on track to be finished on time, but my money's very tight right now

I live in the UK, so please keep suggestions viable. Cheers!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999493.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999493.page GMT Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999558.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999558.page GMT Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay
 Kilkrazy wrote:
Based on experience of building terrain, I would paint the shoulder pads with watered PVA glue first. Once set, you can spray with anything as long as there is a good overall finish with no gaps.


This. It's the act of spraying and the necessary pressurisation that causes foam problems, rather than the actual product you're putting on, so unless someone's been a genius lately you're very unlikely to find anything you'll be able to spray onto it straight. Get to covering it with an old fashioned brush THEN spray.

As for the straps - you should be able to find the straps and clips themselves online, I would suggest military surplus sites as they're more likely to look the part. Unfortunately I'm not sure how you'd get this done without putting some money down though. Getting the bits to turn up in an under a month could be a pain too, as will getting them attached to the pads. Double sided velcro pads might help there but the join will be a bit weak.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999574.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999574.page GMT Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay
 Super Ready wrote:
 Kilkrazy wrote:
Based on experience of building terrain, I would paint the shoulder pads with watered PVA glue first. Once set, you can spray with anything as long as there is a good overall finish with no gaps.


This. It's the act of spraying and the necessary pressurisation that causes foam problems, rather than the actual product you're putting on, so unless someone's been a genius lately you're very unlikely to find anything you'll be able to spray onto it straight. Get to covering it with an old fashioned brush THEN spray.

As for the straps - you should be able to find the straps and clips themselves online, I would suggest military surplus sites as they're more likely to look the part. Unfortunately I'm not sure how you'd get this done without putting some money down though. Getting the bits to turn up in an under a month could be a pain too, as will getting them attached to the pads. Double sided velcro pads might help there but the join will be a bit weak.


Sounds like I'll go with PVA then. I thought I'd read somewhere that you could get a spray which left a sort of rubbery coat which sealed the foam nicely. Must've misread, in which case my bad.

I was thinking of gluing the straps on with hot glue, another popular technique with foam costuming. I need to use it to stick a few bits of the chest armour together anyway.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999632.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999632.page GMT Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999652.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999652.page GMT Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999655.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/5999655.page GMT Re:Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay
Use that nylon webbing stuff that is in backpack straps if you can find it. It's strong and I gotta imagine fairly cheap.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6000638.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6000638.page GMT Re:Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6006294.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6006294.page GMT Re:Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay
The only thing that still needs making is the shoulders. Everything else just needs sticking together (in the case of the torso), painting and having straps attached.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6011117.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6011117.page GMT Re:Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6013911.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6013911.page GMT Need help with the last few bits of a cosplay http://media.moddb.com/images/mods/1/18/17446/MoTE_IG_armor2.png]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6017547.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/549171/6017547.page GMT