Difference between fiberglass and foam builds (Noob)
- Thread starter Ajashi
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indiefilmgeek
Sr Member
It usually comes down to personal build preference. Some people like working with fiberglass/resin hardened pepakura models. And other people like working with Foam (using templates or free-hand).
Fiberglass/bondo builds are a bit more expensive to create - and most people would agree they also take much more time as well.
The other difference is flexibility. If you want your pieces to be hardened, then fiberglass/bondo methods are the best. If you want some flexibility in the piece (even if it looks hardened), then foam is your friend.
I personally don't hold with the ALL foam or ALL fiberglass/resin/bondo theory. Mikey's Ironman suit has some parts (helmet, cod piece, boots, wrists) made out of fiberglass and some parts made out of foam. I think they worked very well together - so I decided which method to use purely on functionality (which ones I wanted to be 'flexible').
Hope that helps!
:thumbsup
-VERTIGO-
Well-Known Member
It usually comes down to personal build preference. Some people like working with fiberglass/resin hardened pepakura models. And other people like working with Foam (using templates or free-hand).
Fiberglass/bondo builds are a bit more expensive to create - and most people would agree they also take much more time as well.
The other difference is flexibility. If you want your pieces to be hardened, then fiberglass/bondo methods are the best. If you want some flexibility in the piece (even if it looks hardened), then foam is your friend.
I personally don't hold with the ALL foam or ALL fiberglass/resin/bondo theory. Mikey's Ironman suit has some parts (helmet, cod piece, boots, wrists) made out of fiberglass and some parts made out of foam. I think they worked very well together - so I decided which method to use purely on functionality (which ones I wanted to be 'flexible').
Hope that helps!
And building on what IFG said, there's also a lot of methods releasing from our talented builders here to make the foam look like it is fiberglassed and resined. Whether it be XRobots SmoothCast65D method or DocHoliday's Rondo method, they're all great methods. You have to choose what is best for you and will give you the result YOU will be happy with.
indiefilmgeek
Sr Member
In general, fiberglass/resin is going to last longer and be more durable. But it's not flexible or as comfortable to wear. Foam will need more regular maintenance than the fiberglass pieces, but it will provide you with more flexibility and comfort when wearing it.
That being said, VERTIGO, is right. Now days, you can treat foam in ways that can harden it and have it act very close to what you'd get out of fiberglass/resin.
But as most folks will tell you, regular maintenance and repairs are just a fact of life with any major costume. Just plan to continually touch-up, repair and/or replace the pieces you're making. Remembering that will often allow you to devise clever ways to engineer things so they are easier to do this general maintenance on. :love
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