Dreadlocking a wig?

[Patattack]

Alright, so I've been working on a Jack Sparrow costume, hoping to get it done in time for the release of the third movie. I've made pretty good progress, but one thing that I've been having trouble with is the wig. I had figured I would just buy a regular long-ish wig and one of those "Rastafarian" hats with the fake dreadlocks attached, and just combine the two (sans hat, of course). But unluckily for me, the hat I bought has terrible fake dreadlocks - they're not even dreadlocks, but instead simply long hair that has been put into long, tight curls, like so:

Since it's getting awfully close to the movie's release, and I'm not sure I could find a suitable replacement dreadlock hat in time (with the solid dreads I'm looking for), I came here to ask this:
does anyone know if it's possible to actually turn (synthetic, probably very low-quality) wig hair into dreadlocks? I doubt I could back-comb it properly, but would wax work?

 

[sparrowfan]

your best bet right now is to run some gel or wax over it, and dread the heck out of it, so it stays it shape.


you could definately make some dreads with the hair. ask
Wediznutt, hes an expert on this.

 

[wuher da brewer]

I have a bag of my biggest dreadlocks from when I wore dreads. I had dreads for seven years after having long hair for several years. I may be willing to let them go. They're close to the right color and thickness.

I've heard of people using bees wax for making dreads. That might work. Mine were all natural dreads, made from regular washing and towel drying, no combing or brushing.

 

[sparrowfan]

^
wow dude, you saved your hair?

 

[gnrlotto]

You need a dredlock hat with felt mixed with the synthetic hair, ala:http://www.villagehatshop.com/dreadlock_rasta_applejack.html

 

[Patattack]

You need a dredlock hat with felt mixed with the synthetic hair, ala:http://www.villagehatshop.com/dreadlock_rasta_applejack.html

That is precisely what I thought I was ordering when I got this curly one - but thanks for the link, that one is much more specific about the hair style.

The only problem is that there are only, what, three or four business days until the movie comes out? I doubt I'd get it in time, which is why I was going to try for "reasonable fascimile" made out of the one I've got.

 

[KingNothing]

Well what I did for my first wig, take a good strand. Then start at the root while holding your strand. Get some hairspray and comb up towards the "Scalp". Do this and work down, spraying when nessesary. Depending on the thickness you can do them in a decent time.. SO just comb up pretty much.

The pic here is from Hallowween '03 when the movie first came out.

 

[Patattack]

Well what I did for my first wig, take a good strand. Then start at the root while holding your strand. Get some hairspray and comb up towards the "Scalp". Do this and work down, spraying when nessesary. Depending on the thickness you can do them in a decent time. I'll post some pics later of how it turned out if you want. SO just comb up pretty much.

Should I straighten the hair somehow before trying this?

 

[KingNothing]

You can try to steam the hair. Just boil a pot of water and use the steam sorta thing. If that doesn't work, then just try dreading it like it is...

 

[Cleverlilminx]

Ok I actually make dreadlock wigs so I can help you out.

First off, some wigs are harder to dread then others but it can still be done.

You should try to straighten out the wig but it doesn't have to be perfect. Your going to backcomb or tease the living heck out of the hair, but in small sections. Twist each piece, this creates the shape of the dreadlock. Then you need to create steam, a pot of water on high heat is fine, a professional clothing stream is better or anything in between.

Now take your dreadlocks, one at a time, and carefully allow the steam to come through the dreads, this will seal them. Just be careful to not burn your fingers, or better yet, use clamps to hold the dreads while you steam them.

You may still want to finish the dreads with harispray afterwards but I never did since I think it could make the dreads too stiff.

The other thing to bear in mind, you may need more hair then the wig has. If that is the case, go to Sally Beauty Supply and get "Jumbo Braid" extensions. These will dread better and seal faster to. Once you have those dreads done, sew them into the netted cap of the wig and your done.

If you start now, you might have this done in time for the movie opening.


Good luck!

 

[Patattack]

Thanks for the help, everyone!