coofunkcurly
Sr Member
I know there's not a huge Batman following here but I wanted to share my experience with trying to replicate a prop over the last few months. If you've ever watched the Begins extra features the costume designer speaks of how they started filming using a cotton velveteen but it got heavy when wet. So they had to invent their own fabric. I am trying to replicate that very light and waterproof custom fabric.
Some great questions have been asked about the durability of this material and I can say that the flock does not easily scrape off. Unlike a home flocking kit like those used for model railways, this stuff is added on uniformly and with industrial equipment. There is nothing homemade about this custom material. It is professionally done and suitable to be mass produced to the textile industry for a variety of applications.
If there was any weakness to the connection between the nylon and the flocking fibers I would expect that even rubbing your hands across it would result in 1 or 2 of the millions of fibers to show on your hands. But they do not. The electrostatic process involved ensures that they are applied evenly and firmly.
Now onto some pics...
This is the v2 version of the cape. If the v1 was 25% of where I want it to be, I would consider this v2 to be 50% there. Difference between the 2 is only the weight of the nylon with the v2 being less than half as heavy. And the v1 is pretty darn light!
With that being said - it is pretty hard to get pics that show the difference in weight. But I took some pics anyway because I love you guys. :lol Keep in mind that I am not moving the cape around for each shot. Just letting the wind take it.
Thought maybe some video would show the lightweight qualities. We had a good breeze here but I'm not sure this really shows you much. Watch it anyway. :lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVMtcmsfUs0
I expect the v3 will be the last one I need. Changes that I hope to introduce:
-matte nylon
-softer nylon (or "laundered" as Tony mentioned)
-screen accurate pattern
Some great questions have been asked about the durability of this material and I can say that the flock does not easily scrape off. Unlike a home flocking kit like those used for model railways, this stuff is added on uniformly and with industrial equipment. There is nothing homemade about this custom material. It is professionally done and suitable to be mass produced to the textile industry for a variety of applications.
If there was any weakness to the connection between the nylon and the flocking fibers I would expect that even rubbing your hands across it would result in 1 or 2 of the millions of fibers to show on your hands. But they do not. The electrostatic process involved ensures that they are applied evenly and firmly.
Now onto some pics...
This is the v2 version of the cape. If the v1 was 25% of where I want it to be, I would consider this v2 to be 50% there. Difference between the 2 is only the weight of the nylon with the v2 being less than half as heavy. And the v1 is pretty darn light!
With that being said - it is pretty hard to get pics that show the difference in weight. But I took some pics anyway because I love you guys. :lol Keep in mind that I am not moving the cape around for each shot. Just letting the wind take it.
Thought maybe some video would show the lightweight qualities. We had a good breeze here but I'm not sure this really shows you much. Watch it anyway. :lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVMtcmsfUs0
I expect the v3 will be the last one I need. Changes that I hope to introduce:
-matte nylon
-softer nylon (or "laundered" as Tony mentioned)
-screen accurate pattern
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