Are you using fiberglass resin for pepakura props?

Djymm

Any tips for protection against warping from the heat of fibreglass?

PepMaster

There really is'nt much you can do, it's just trial and error.

pandamajik

I've seen a lot of people build in supports with popsicle sticks or something else stiff. You run these across areas that could potentially warp and it should help to keep some of the structure.

robn1

You can try a slow setting laminating epoxy. It will produce very little heat. I'll be using this for my phaser build Durable Epoxy Laminating Systems from Smooth-On, Inc.

Forge

hello, hopefully I am not hijacking this thread but I have a similar question,
I am not hoping to wear the helmet but use it for display. Is there an alternate
way of making the helmet solid. I saw somewhere that a helmet was filled with some material and when hardened the helmet was dropped in warm water to remove the outer pep cardboard, then the helmet was sanded smooth. Can anyone help with describing this process better, thanks

92bagder

quick question, Im attempting my first halo armor build for Halloween, but I also want to use it as a prop for films. so my question: is the fiberglass build sturdy enough to do light stunts in?

666

Question:
when you brush the resin to the paper model, you don't bend, destroy the shape?
How do you prevent this to happen?
thx

Crank729

If you are using card stock instead of regular paper, it should absorb the resin fine, but it also depends on the temperature. It is really something that comes from using the material.

666

thanks. I read about using card stock, but was curious, thank you

Lord Magneto

I've been using 110lb card stock and it seems to hold up fine when I use resin.

EamonClark

Thank you for clearing up that the fiberglassing resin is used on both the inside and outside. I wasn't sure if there was a difference between them.

crabra comander

Hey guys, so I just covered my card stock pep in mod podge! Is it ruined?
I need to use aqua resin since I want to work on this with the kids and need something non-toxic.

whopperlover

working with resin is very messy, resin is the liquid that you mix with the small bottle it brings (very toxic so be careful not to touch or inhale, so use latex gloves and outdoor) fiberglass is like a sheet of fabric you can tear or cut into size you want and just wet them with the resin and lay it down on the mold you want to harden. fiberglass is what is used to make boats and car shops so when get's hard its not going no where. Mix small amounts of resin with the hardener (small bottle it comes with) 4 small drops and it should harden in a few mins, depending on your climate zone. once it all dries you can put bondo just to smooth out and cover up the patches or holes left behind and you should be good. just sand after that and ready to paint when your happy with your final project.

Grave

most of us have moved on from using fiberglass. its too messy and expensive.
most people now are using EVA foam sheets. they are a lot cheaper, more of it and easier to build at any time of the year. oh, and no fumes that are toxic and explosive.
look into it. all you need is hot glue and good paint. takes a lot less time to get something built.
Stealth has a good thread and tutorial on it.

crabra comander

OK so I can print the peps then outline them on the foam, cut and heat to fold right? I taking baby steps with all this...

Dancin_Fool

That totally depends, as long as it hasn't warped you should be fine with the mod podge coat. If nothing else that will water proof it and add a very tiny bit of strength.

If you're trying to keep things non toxic you can coat the inside of the piece with cheese cloth and pva glue. As an alternative to body filler on the outside to smooth the piece you could have a look at paper-mache clay. It's a non toxic easy to form material that dries with a little bit of strength. Paper Mache Clay

Keep in mind with the non-toxic alternatives you won't get the same kind of strength as fiberglass and resin but as long as you don't go out of your way to damage it, it will be fine.

crabra comander

Thanks, budget is always an issue with the finance dept. AKA the other half