Originally Posted by brado View Post
If I can make a suggestion... you should REALLY entertain ordering some RD-407 mask making latex (it's only about $15 for 32oz) and tinting it (with artists acrylic paint) the color you want it. I originally started with puff paint and found the long term adhesion and durability to be really lacking. Additionally, it seemed to harden a bit more, making it crack off of the suit easier. Mask making latex is thick enough to give a good build, but still thin enough to soak into the pores of the lycra. It also stays nice and rubbery for years (my original costume from 3-4 years ago is still in great shape). To apply just go to Michaels, JoAnns or possibly a beauty supply house and buy a refillable bottle with a fine applicator tip (no more than a 1/16" opening). Mine was about 1" in diameter and about 4" tall and allowed a excellent amount of control when applying the webbing. Either way, your best bet for applying is (in my experience) to create a flat cardboard template you can stretch the finished sections of the suit over. It's just a heck of a lot easier to have it laying flat, instead of over a dummy, when you're doing the detail work. Finally, to really get good adhesion (no matter which way you go) make sure you're applying the webbing at about a 45 degree angle to the fabric, with a slight amount of pressure, to almost force it into the fabric. Otherwise, if it's just applied right on top it will just peel clean off. Just make sure to practice, practice, practice before you jump right into the final suit (duh). Just my 2 cents...