Batman Panther cowl urethane or latex help!

[GF]

I have a full RD (real deal) latex Inferno panther suit, I'm undecided if I should go latex or urethane for the RD Inferno cowl?

I was told that latex can shrink up to 15% and the cowl will end up being way too small and the reason he makes them in urethane, but the main reason I'm leaning towards Latex is the advantage that I can paint it using plastidip to perfectly match my latex armor which was also painted with plastidip, Inferno did say the urethane color is a close match, but a unpainted urethane cowl will never have the same exact finish as a plastidip painted armor, so should I sacrifice size for color match? but my armor is latex which I assume also shrunk in process no?

GFollano

 

[Jawafive]

The armor shrank some in the process too if it is latex. The sculptors make those pieces larger so when cast in latex they will still fit. If you are planning on wearing it I would say get the urethane. It's not that noticeable of a difference in color. If it is only going to be a display then maybe you want the latex so it matches. I personally would prefer the latex if it would fit your head.

 

[Finhead]

If it's a RD cowl mold run in latex I really doubt it would fit you if that is the intent. I have his RD cowl in Urethane and it just fits, I have a fairly small head I would not be able to fit a latex run out of the same mold. The armor wont have shrank as much if it's the latex foam backed he was offering before. If it's full latex it will have shrank Like Matt says.
Really hard to narrow it down, are you planning on ever wearing it?

 

[GF]

Hey guys thanks for the inputs,

This will be for display only, I'm too short anyways, I do have a small head 22 1/2"

I don't mind if the size difference is minimal, again I'm no expert I just want the cowl to match and be proportioned with armor, Inferno stated latex cowl would be Child size, I guess that was just a expression, but is there that much shrinkage in latex?

GFollano

 

[GF]

I have his RD cowl in Urethane and it just fits

Finhead

How's the finish of your Urethane cowl, is it flawless, smooth ect...?
my belt is urethane and the finish is super smooth and you can see the difference between belt and armor, if cowl will have same finish as my belt I would definetely prefer latex so I can plastidip to match armor.

GFollano

 

[Finhead]

Finhead

How's the finish of your Urethane cowl, is it flawless, smooth ect...?
my belt is urethane and the finish is super smooth and you can see the difference between belt and armor, if cowl will have same finish as my belt I would definetely prefer latex so I can plastidip to match armor.

GFollano

No. lol My RD Panther is far from smooth, not a good finish at all. But I believe it was some kind of highlight finish he was trying out. Didn't work very nice at all, put a stop to my Panther build actually. I can't help you on matching the finish as I have not seen one of Jeff's cowls/armor up close besides the Panther I have which doesn't match any finish I have ever seen on any armor or cowl on any Batman suit.

Latex cowls shrink quit a bit so yeah it will be fairly small coming out of a RD mold.

 

[GF]

No. lol My RD Panther is far from smooth, not a good finish at all. But I believe it was some kind of highlight finish he was trying out. Didn't work very nice at all, put a stop to my Panther build actually. I can't help you on matching the finish as I have not seen one of Jeff's cowls/armor up close besides the Panther I have which doesn't match any finish I have ever seen on any armor or cowl on any Batman suit.

Latex cowls shrink quit a bit so yeah it will be fairly small coming out of a RD mold.

Really!!! well I hope his new urethane cowls have a nice finish, even if they don't match 100% in color as long as the surface is consistant in color and smooth since there will be no way to hide it.

GFollano

 

[Darius Alucard]

I'd go with latex so it matches the armor.

 

[n2176w]

I have a full RD (real deal) latex Inferno panther suit, I'm undecided if I should go latex or urethane for the RD Inferno cowl?

I was told that latex can shrink up to 15% and the cowl will end up being way too small and the reason he makes them in urethane, but the main reason I'm leaning towards Latex is the advantage that I can paint it using plastidip to perfectly match my latex armor which was also painted with plastidip, Inferno did say the urethane color is a close match, but a unpainted urethane cowl will never have the same exact finish as a plastidip painted armor, so should I sacrifice size for color match? but my armor is latex which I assume also shrunk in process no?

GFollano

Actually urethane cowls have less imnperfections and you can tint urethane to any color you want.

 

[Finhead]

Actually urethane cowls have less imnperfections and you can tint urethane to any color you want.

LOL where did you hear that from? I have a Urethane RD Panther here that is far from nice. Sold my perfect fan made latex to make room for it, wish I never had. The thing about urethane is there is no fixing it and you may or may not be able o paint as not many paints will stick to the cured urethane. Latex you can fix and paint all you would need to, the only problem is the shrinking nothing to do with surface finish at all.

 

[coofunkcurly]

Yeah, imperfections in the castings have everything to do with how well the mold was made and how well the material is run by the caster. Nothing to do with the material they are cast in. I have seen just as many crappy urethane pulls as I have latex pulls over the years.

 

[Inferno]

Just to clarify: Finhead has one of 3 copies out there I did of a rd panther that was a screen used piece. I did experiment with a highlighted finish as he said.

I have 4 different versions using screen used and studio pieces, and have at least 8 different molds of the panther cowl alone. Finheads hatred for that version of the cowl actually insured it was the last one anyone ever got of that version, that mold is long retired....yes, I tried something new. The other 2 guys that got that particular cowl were happy with it though and it is the only one to date with the real emblem pad, so I do not think it was a complete failure, just an attempt at something new...don't know unless you try. Here is a pic of that cowl:

I just want to clarify that as it was made to seem like it was the only panther I make when in fact I have multiple versions ever improving and getting closer and closer to exact. Here is an example of the latest. I have put a lot of effort into recreating a lot of bat items and reading this thread, one bad experience comes off like my panther cowls suck, jeez. I actually pride myself in the finishes I get with urethane and anyone who questions that can talk to a great many people who are happy with my stuff. Lucky I even caught this thread, it was a fluke...not much time for surfing the internet these days

Also of note: casting of latex and shrinkage varies and can be better controlled if the latex is baked using certain techniques. Both cowls shown are urethane. Please email me if there are any other questions about my stuff as I might not get back to this thread. Finhead, we've gone over everything and as far as I know came to an understanding, I assume you did not intend to bash my stuff or ability, it just came off that way when I read the thread, no hard feelings on my end.

 

[Sylar79]

Based on what Jeff said that the 3 with emblem pads are the highlighted finish, then that makes me one of the 3. and the finish on mine is just fine. i love that cowl!