Foam or Paper?

[Laveniuk]

Hey eveyone,
Im hoping someone out there can help me with this question.
I have seached everywhere, watched hundreds of tutorial videos on both but cant seem to figure out which is the better way to go!

Couple of my biggest questions are:

1: How sturdy is the foam when its done?
2: Is foam really that much faster, cheaper and easier?
3: What do you recomend from experience?

I basically have EVERY piece of the Mark III Suit peped out of paper but its taking me FOREVER to fiberglass, bondo (which i gave up and moved to Joint Compound, which also takes forever) and then sand everything smooth.

Someone please guide me!

 

[cavx]

All I have done is MAG shoes and I've used both paper and foam. These were not from a PEP file as I had to create my own patterns.

Paper is cheaper and allows quick and easy mods. Foam is better IMO for a finished piece once the design is sorted and you know it will all go together.

It also of course depends on what type of foam you use. EVA can be free standing.

 

[Laveniuk]

The foam everyone is talking about is that EVA foam.

 

[bigjustin12]

i've done a little of both and i would probably recommend foam to most people. The 10mm stuff is faily rigid and can get a nice finish if you seal it right. It's also lighter to wear and both faster and cheaper to build. But most people would recommend pepping the helmet. It's difficult to make a foam helmet look really accurate. Since you have so much pepping done already, try to glass and bondo one piece and see what you think, maybe try to make the same piece out of foam to see which method you prefer. Good luck either way!!

 

[Laveniuk]

I have 2 pieces compleatly done! I have a bicep and a helemt (which i may add is now signed by Stan Lee)

These two pieces have taken me so long and its kind of turning into a job more then a hobby!

Im going to try the foam tomorrow. I just hope it turns out as nice looking and as sturdy as the fiberglass.

 

[cavx]

I would suggest that it won't as rigid unless you fiber glass it.

 

[Laveniuk]

Well after using the foam..... i dont think i like it..
its too "simple" i guess is the word.
I would say you just cant get the detail you can with fiberglass and joint compund..
i guess ill just stick with that....
oh and its not really cheaper!! The foam is expensive, you use WAAAY more glue, then you have to buy white glue, that plasti dip stuff, paint brushes, knife blades
Sure the paper and fiberglass take longer, but it might be worth it in the end...