FIlling foam gaps? Help needed!

[Kstrohm]

Hey everyone, moving along pretty good with my Space Marine Power Armor, just decided to make another thread quick since this doesn't have to really deal with the progress itself. Was wondering what is the best method to fill seams on these foam pieces? I'm trying the caulk route, but still end up having visible seems or divots so to say. For example I tried applying with my finger, got a lot of excess but when I go to smooth or straighten the seam out I just end up with a concave looking joint sort of like a brick joint. Try applying with a putty knife, paint brush and even tried taping over the seams then plastidipping but that turned out horrible, I'm filling some rather big joints as this is my first foam build and keeping all the joints nice and tight took a while to eventually figure out. I am planning on filling the joints how ever you guys might suggest, sealing with plastidip then painting. I'm kind of in a crunch to get this done in about two weeks for a local convention and need all the input as soon as I can! Thank you much guys and appreciate any help or tips ya'll might be able to lend! Have a good one!

 

[gothic]

seen this method, never tried it though https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPDjeT8cOi8

 

[bummer6]

I had the same sort of problem with my space marine. Use latex caulk and just keep applying over and over. Just let it dry between each application. It takes quite a few layers to make the seam disappear completely. Just remember to sand the whole thing thoroughly before you start doing it. I used one of these sanders and it worked great.

Just keep at it! It's great to see another space marine on the forums.

 

[Kstrohm]

Ill have to give that a try bummer, i was thinking that last night if i just needed to build it out. Another thing i was thinking of trying i saw some people have luck with was light weight spackling or flexible auto body filler. Any caulks any of you guys recommend using?

 

[TheWulff]

Patch and Paint spackle by DAP is the one that I've seen with success...just coat over it after sanding it with 3-4 coats of Plasti Dip (the brushable kind, not spray) and it should pretty much be invisible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGju9kSg8OE

 

[Kstrohm]

Man after i just stocked up on the spray cans too haha

 

[bummer6]

Ill have to give that a try bummer, i was thinking that last night if i just needed to build it out. Another thing i was thinking of trying i saw some people have luck with was light weight spackling or flexible auto body filler. Any caulks any of you guys recommend using?

I tried a bunch of different caulks before settling on latex caulk. I'm not sure about flexible body filler, but you have to make sure that whetever you use doesn't crack when it flexes. Latex caulk is cheap and easy to apply, so that's what I'd recommend. Take a look at my build to see my process.

 

[Kstrohm]

I hear ya, thats why im skeptical of the spackle but if its cover with a good layer of plastidip then does it really matter if the spackle cracks some. In gonna borrow my buddies palm sander and give both a try. Any fast setting caulks available?

 

[Kstrohm]

I tried a bunch of different caulks before settling on latex caulk. I'm not sure about flexible body filler, but you have to make sure that whetever you use doesn't crack when it flexes. Latex caulk is cheap and easy to apply, so that's what I'd recommend. Take a look at my build to see my process.

Hope this works out bummer haha, my first shoulder i used light weight spackle since the gaps were so big, the second one really took my time gluing it and caulked this one. Left a good amount of excess to sand, what grit(s) did you use?

 

[bummer6]

Hope this works out bummer haha, my first shoulder i used light weight spackle since the gaps were so big, the second one really took my time gluing it and caulked this one. Left a good amount of excess to sand, what grit(s) did you use?

I don't exactly know what grit I used. I just started with a very rough grit and moved on to a finer one to smooth out the surface. It's not an exact science, you just have to go at it and see what works.

 

[Kstrohm]

Little experimentation today, I think these are as good as I'm going to get at my current skill level. The shoulder pad is just plastidipped at the current time, now will I have better coverage and will the seams conceal better with the brush on plastidip compared to that aerosol cans? Thigh piece has about 2-3 coats of paint on it, little rough since my sander decided to dig in at the most inconvenient times, but can you guys be 100% honest with me on this. Do these these seams look alright?I'm thinking no, as I am comparing to some others builds such as Gary Sterley and the like who are just eons ahead of me quality wise, but for a first foam build do these look ok? Or am I just trying to achieve something that is impossible, such as a 100% seamless appearing piece? Thank you much guys, and have a good one.

 

[Zlurpo]

Gallery Glass Liquid Leading. Found at most good craft stores. It can't do large gaps because there will be shrinking, but on small seams and cracks if fills them very nicely, it sands, it stretches and bends, and it takes paint very nicely.

 

[bummer6]

Those seams look pretty good! Just caulk them one or two more times, then they will be nearly invisible. You could leave it as it is though. With some weathering and details, no-one is going to notice. Seriously, I would just apply caulk once or twice more and then spray plasti-dip over it. I don't even think you'd need to sand it again.

 

[Ikras]

You're presenting them here at an angle to emphasise their presence and it may well be that from a distance if you asked someone they wouldn't notice them unless you brought their attention to them.
I've certainly found that there are seams I've felt to be massively obvious (to me) that just don't get picked up on unless I point them out.

I think that seams are always a hard thing and with time you pick up more tricks and capability with reducing them but at this point I would say they're looking great.

 

[Helbros]

Its called the 5 foot rule. If you cant notice it from 5 feet away(which is generally the distance when someone is taking a picture) you shouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Tatooinetako]

Expanding foam?


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