CHEAPEST Batman Costume EVER -- Tips?

[nickytea]

I've never worked with the materials that you're using so I don't know how it'll hold up to this, but I think you should just try to sand (or dremel) the lumps and fill the divits (with a suitable material) first.

If you just apply the plasti now it'll pretty much be the same but with a rubberized finish.
Depending on how many layers/coats you want to do with the plasti, you might try applying the plasti till all the divits are filled and then sanding/dremeling the lumps afterward.

Interesting;
So I take it the plasti dip is sandable?

 

[darthgordon]

Wait! I just remembered something you could use. I used something called Devcon Plastic Weld on my Rubies Vader helmet to resculpt the eyes and nose. It's somewhat flexible like plastic and highly sandable.

The reason I don't like the idea of bondo is that it's just really hard to sand. This stuff is easy though. It's an epoxy that sets up pretty quick. If you use it mix it a little at a time.

 

[nickytea]

Wait! I just remembered something you could use. I used something called Devcon Plastic Weld on my Rubies Vader helmet to resculpt the eyes and nose. It's somewhat flexible like plastic and highly sandable.

The reason I don't like the idea of bondo is that it's just really hard to sand. This stuff is easy though. It's an epoxy that sets up pretty quick. If you use it mix it a little at a time.

Excellent! I'm looking into this!
If, however, I do go the bondo route, would a coat of plasti-dip help prevent it from cracking?

 

[darthgordon]

I don't think so. Plastidip is basically just like paint... only more like rubber. It'll give you a nice rubberised look but won't add much for strength.

 

[cavedwellar]

Great thread, and I can't wait to see where this one goes.

 

[jonny5]

Sanding Plasti-dip would be almost exactly like sanding the soles of your sneakers. It is a skin like rubberized paint

If you have any doubts at all I highly reccommend you make up a test piece made from identical materials before you coat your mask.

You do want to get rid of bumps and pits Bondo is probably your best bet there.

You want the surface to be a little rought so the rubber has something to grab on to. You do not whant the surface glass smooth. I would think anything like 600 grit or more is a waste of effort, but thats my opinion your mileage may vary.

 

[nickytea]

Sanding Plasti-dip would be almost exactly like sanding the soles of your sneakers. It is a skin like rubberized paint

If you have any doubts at all I highly reccommend you make up a test piece made from identical materials before you coat your mask.

You do want to get rid of bumps and pits Bondo is probably your best bet there.

You want the surface to be a little rought so the rubber has something to grab on to. You do not whant the surface glass smooth. I would think anything like 600 grit or more is a waste of effort, but thats my opinion your mileage may vary.

Well, I figured this out the hard way...you are correct that plasti-dip does not sand!

I had already given it a preliminary coat in plasti-dip, and when I attempted to sand it...nothing.

Last night, I coated a small section in bondo, and I'll attempt to smooth it out by sanding. Here's hoping!

(Even if the whole thing is a monumental mess, It was only a few days work I'd loose.)

 

[darthgordon]

Oh man, I didn't realize you planned on sanding the Plastidip. No, use several coats of scratch fill primer and sand that first.

 

[Darius Alucard]

Sorry about the suggestion.
I've never tried to "sand" plasti, but many folks have dremeled bumps out.
I've also heard of using mineral spirits to remove the plasti.
(this method was used to remove plasti from latex - I don't know how this will react with your materials)



quote from Brin:
Mineral Spirits and a clean rag, once that BEGINS

(I made a funny) to get goopy, throw it away and get another clean rag.
Wash, rinse, repeat.

 

[nickytea]

Sorry about the suggestion.
I've never tried to "sand" plasti, but many folks have dremeled bumps out.
I've also heard of using mineral spirits to remove the plasti.
(this method was used to remove plasti from latex - I don't know how this will react with your materials)



quote from Brin:
Mineral Spirits and a clean rag, once that BEGINS

(I made a funny) to get goopy, throw it away and get another clean rag.
Wash, rinse, repeat.

No worries guys, I'm trying to apply the bondo to the plasti. (I've given it another coat of primer over the plasti...don't know if that will help.)

I'll keep you updated!

 

[nickytea]

Well everyone, I've been working on an off on this. The bondo-ing is going well. I will have progress pictures soon.

In the meantime, does anyone know where I might be able to locate some super-cheap motorcycle gloves? I know that getting the real deal wont be in the pricepoint of this costume (CHEAPEST status and all) but something alterable.

 

[cavedwellar]

Walmart actually has some pretty nice gloves. There's a particular pair in the automotive/motorcycle section that look really nice for about 30 bucks. If that's not in budget, look in the men's clothing section for some gloves that run around 10 bucks.

 

[Dann]

Can't wait to see progress pics!

 

[nickytea]

After a great deal of sanding and filling with the bondo, we are here:

There's still a lot more of it to do, but it's great progress from where we started:

Here is an in progress shot of the bondo-ing:

EDIT: also, I just won a super cheap pair of the Tarmac gloves:
on ebay
Obviously, they are blue, but for the price, I couldn't get more accurate! (Just needs some die/paint!)

 

[nickytea]

For anyone wanting to do this for themselves, here's an idea of my budget thus far:

MASK:
-Cardboard=free
-Newspaper=free
-Flour =2.00
-water =free
-bondo =10.00
-Sandpaper=3.00
-paint =2.00
-felt =1.00
________________
MASK TOTAL=18.00

ARMOR:
-Foamies =6.00
-Plasti-dip=5.00
________________
ARMOR TOTAL=11.00


BELT
-2 Rubies =16.00

GLOVES =16.00

Suit:
Athletic top=4.00
Bottoms =free
Cape Fabric =6.00
Mesh liner =4.00
_________________
SUIT TOTAL =14.00


GRAND TOTAL =75.00

Now, mind you, someone who already had some of the things I needed to buy could do it for significantly less.

Also, I can foresee myself needing more foamies as my armor takes shape, so that will add to it. However, I can't fathom reaching $100.

For an entire costume, that's pretty great! Considering I COULD be wearing this piece of guano for FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS:

 

[darthgordon]

Wow! That looks... really... bad for 500 bucks. It appears to be just one piece of molded rubber... maybe three. The cape isn't even cloth like the Bale suit(s). The mask looks huge, and the belt doesn't look even close. What the heck were they thinking?

 

[Bowelrock]

I realy am waiting so see your armor work with the foamies Thats going to be awesome to wathc come together

 

[pisani]

Yeah thats just gross. The mask is wayyyyyy off. Anyway a cheap alternative to bondo would be spackle. That's what I did on my cardboard boba helmet.

Anyway awesome suit, can't wait to see the finished product.:thumbsup

Gordon

 

[Jawafive]

You know, wholesale for that guano is only $75. If you know someone who has a wholesaler relationship with rubies you could do some serious modding to it.

 

[nickytea]

Just a quick update.
I started on the chest armor. The bat symbol currently looks a bit asymmetrical...but there may not be a quick fix by Halloween.

And behold....

THE CARDBOARD GRAPPLE GUN: