Batman Screen Used 89 Keaton Chest Piece

[DAVIDYR1]

Aside from my own Begins items I've slowly been trying to finish over the last few months, I havent really done any Bat stuff in the last 2 years. Certainly havent done any 89 parts for at least that long...if not more. We're swamped on a daily basis with other ongoing projects that have kept me away from ANY of my own projects for a long time...but this one is going to be special.

A dream of mine has always been to be able to restore some screen used parts from the Keaton era and that dream is now a reality.

I've just received a screen used 89 chest piece with the ultimate goal of restoration. Getting it back to the glorious gothic armor that it once was. The foam latex chest piece does have significant oxidization on it but at the same time, there's a lot to work with. I couldnt be happier.

The process will be much like a surgeon performing heart surgery....patience, care and respect will be needed to get the job done and fortunately we have time on our side here.

Here's a few pics..

Being able to restore a screen used Keaton Chest Piece is a pretty cool thing. I think the Bat fans out there will certainly understand the excitment I'm now feeling...just imagine one of you guys getting to restore a beat up but REAL screen used Vader helmet...I think that's how I feel right now. As we get started I'll post updates. :thumbsup

Enjoy the pics.

David

 

[Darth-Shawn]

wow Now thats a cool project I'll be lookin for updates for sure on this one.....

very nice & good luck
-Shawn

 

[Too Much Garlic]

What a sweet, sweet project. :thumbsup

 

[ob1al]

Cool - looks like it's held up quite well over 18 years.

Is it fragile/brittle at all?

How exactly do you plan to restore it? Will you be adding the bat logo to the chest?

 

[fettster]

going to watch this one with interest.

please keep us updated.

 

[JoeR]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fettster @ Feb 16 2007, 09:05 AM) [snapback]1420105[/snapback]</div>

going to watch this one with interest.

please keep us updated.
[/b]

Can never get enough of screen used props.

Great score, looking forward to seeing the restoration process. Cool that you are sharing pictures, I think that original props should be shared with the public not hidden away...

Joe

 

[Got Maul]

Is this Deja Vu ? I thought you did this before already ...was it another movie piece ?

 

[Dean O]

I can't wait to see the finished results, David. The '89 suit is still my favorite.

 

[Got Maul]

still my favorite too . The other batsuits never did anything for me besides this one and the Begins suit.

 

[darthvaderv]

Excellent stuff :thumbsup . What would the process be to restore something of that nature?

 

[TomSpinaDesigns]

Very cool undertaking there, David.

Tom

 

[PHArchivist]

Cool. As popular as Begins is, I still like the Keaton versions...

 

[Raffles]

Interested to see how you are going to repair/stop any cracking or brittleness in the rubber.

Forgive my ignorance of this costume but was this affixed to an undersuit or was it an appliance that was glued on?

Also what was the original finish? was it as glossy as it looked on screen or was it polished up like rubber clothing with silicone spray before filming to retain a high shine?

 

[BATS]

good god thats in bad shape
but not the worst that we have seen from the 89 batshop

how much has it shrunk??? because obviouslly if its alot
then it would make a better reference piece then it would a restoration piece

89 stuff was infamous for being thick thick thick so it shrinks extra compaired to
later pieces

even the most well cared for pieces that have turned up lately have had atleast
10% shrinkage


looks like a tuff restoration

good luck

 

[Hunterbat]

I. Am. Excited. AWESOME stuff David!!

 

[Weequay]

Any update on this???? I love '89 batman! although im not a fan of restoraation.

Would still love to see what has been achiveved on this

weequay

 

[Rebabaluba]

Excited for updates! Gotta love the Keaton era!

 

[pjw]

David, whatever happened to this?

 

[SonOfPumpkinhead]

Good call PJ, I too would like to know how far along this is. How thick is the chest piece Dave?

 

[thegreatgalling]

Augh, who put Batman in the microwave? :lol

Still really cool and an amazing piece of history! Please keep us posted!