Batman Begins Cowl removal and care

[pbryantknight]

Hi All,

I have recently bought a Batman Begins urethine cowl for my UD replicas suit.

I originally had a Dark Knight cowl which looked great but then developed a split up the back when putting it on one day.

I really want to avoid any damage to my Begins cowl so i have a few questions on how to put the cowl on and remove it.

Are there any tricks?

The inside of the cowl is silicone rubbery sticky. Someone says to wet your hair before putting it on which i can see working, my problem then is how to get it off safely. I thought of using maybe talc in the way that wetsuit users do to stop it sticking as much and hopefully aid in removal as well.

What do other people on here do? Are there any tips or tricks?

Any help appreciated

Cheers

Peter

 

[toxicvenom]

Hi. When I put my 89 cowl on. I put Hair conditioner through my hair and over my forhead. It goes on really easy without it I would risk ripping it. Put it on thick it washes out the cowl under the shower

 

[reaton89]

A bald cap and a little bit of baby powder should help with the stickiness.

 

[tdk83]

I find water does the job for me but the cowl does need a wipe down then before going out or photos as the water gets every where!

 

[pbryantknight]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I decided to be brave enough to try it on today and wet my hair with just plain old water. Worked a treat. Getting it off was a little tricky but managed it ok in the end.

Peter

 

[toxicvenom]

The trouble is if you leave it on and the water dries, its a bugger to get off, the hair conditioner or Aqueous cream from the chemist stays moist
and the cowl will bump off and it easily cleans with water, I thought I would never get my cowls on until I tried this.

 

[Billzebub]

After the water dries, I usually start sweating buckets.

 

[BatmanALL]

I use baby powder. Just have a wet clothe or a baby wipe to get the excess powder off your suit and cowl once its on.

Also, with the one piece Begins cowl, the sweat will drip right down the front of your suit. What I started doing is wearing my dive mask (balaclava) with that cowl too in order to keep the sweat on the inside of the suit.

 

[Rickhemingway]

I too wear the balaclava. It helps sliding the cowl on and off without getting hair in the way. It glides easier in both directions.

 

[coofunkcurly]

Line it with lycra.

 

[pbryantknight]

Update to this. I tried the water again and did't work as well this time. Covered the inside of the cowl with hair conditioner and that worked a treat. Came off pretty easy too.

What's the best way to clean the outside of these urethene cowls?

Peter

 

[reaton89]

Although I already gave my 2 cents, I think it should be said that moisture is likely your main problem. Hair conditioner may work, but it's high-maintenance, and full of chemicals. It will ultimately make you sweat more, and as great as the inside of the cowl might smell, it's going to get nasty if you don't continually wash it out. I think you'd be surprised by how well powder works for tight, rubber masks. Baby powder is great, but for a silicone mask that's going to fit tightly on your head, you could even try "gold bond medicated body powder". The extra-strength kind has menthol in it, which would keep your head feeling cool, and reduce sweat. A damp wash cloth should remove any excess. Just a suggestion. Good luck!

 

[Htofstead]

I have a Bush Cowl that's made from urathane rubber and I coat the inside with baby powder first that helps with slipping my head in and by time intake it off I am so sweaty that I slip right out. I also only pull from the bottom jaw line some that's the strongest area and least likely to break.

 

[BatmanALL]

Best way to clean a cowl is just water and maybe if needed very little Dawn soap.

I seriously wouldn't use hair products like conditioner though. Too many chemicals and is going to make you sweat even more. KY Jelly is water soluble so as you sweat it goes away too.

 

[Solefreak88]

What about armor all whipes to clean the cowls?(40 shore urethane).

 

[Htofstead]

I have spoken to Sean/Shawn Reevz about cowl care and he said water and dish soap or amor all wipes. After all it's just rubber he says.

 

[pbryantknight]

Ah right.

Thanks for the advice.

I'll give it a clean with water first and see how i get on. Maybe use the wipes after. Again a UK thing, we don'e have armoral wipes but i'm presuming it's just like the car dash wipes we have over here?

Peter

 

[Solefreak88]

Yes and names the cowl look awesome and keep the rubber fresh in my opinion.becomes such a deeper black .I love it

 

[Athanasius]

Just my 2 cents, I've always just worn a thin black balaclava and I've not had a single problem with my TDK cowl. This also provides a cover for the small gap between the cowl and the neck piece (if you've got a 2 piece cowl). I have to say I haven't tried any other methods but the balaclava works really well for me so I've never needed to try anything else.