So as many noobs know finding out how to make your suit is like a scavenger hunt. You find one good idea in one thread and then another in some thread from 8 months ago. Stickies ain't so sticky sometimes. And doing things the wrong way and scraping your work sucks.
So here's a definitive thread to give you great looking dreads for about 50 bucks total cost and there are loads of places you can shave that number down depending on what you have access to.
So lets start with my materials and what *I* paid here in Canada...
5/8" Backer Rod $6.50
1/2" Backer Rod $6.50
Plasti-Dip Spray $15.00
Latex Oops Paint $14.00
1/2" Rigid EMT $6.00
3/8" Rigit EMT $6.00
Total $54.00
For dread rings I strayed from PVC and went with metallic Rigid EMT conduit. It gives some heft and it already has a brushed metal look. If you're hoping for a brass look you could paint them or use copper pipe (but it's more expensive)
Now take your backer rod, cut it into sections, taper it with a scalpel/utility knife and heat it a heat gun on low or a hair dryer on high to seal the foam (make it smooth)
You might want to take a grinder or file to the edge of the rings to keep them from tearing your backer rod. Slip the rings into position and then cover them in masking tape since you'll be dipping them soon.
Ooops paint is found at the counter of your local hardware store. I was fortunate to find someone's oops paint that was ridiculously dark green. I once read a guide that said this alone would make a flexible coating for your backer rod dreads. That's a lie! However use the acrylic latex paint as I do in this process and the results will be much better! This gives some extra weight to your dreads and improves the overall movement.
Now that you've dipped the dread you can hang it up to dry. Overnight works well, I'm doing my paint and plastidip drying on two different lines here.
Now we plastidip! This stuff makes all the difference in the world. It will prevent the underlying latex paint from drying out, give a heavy protective layer, add weight and flexibility. It is however made from death so I strongly recommend good ventilation... as you can see.
Once your first coat of plastidip is done add another if you can see any of the underlying latex paint peaking through. When this coat is done carefully cut along the edges of the dread rings and peel away the masking tape, remove any extra paint with some sand paper. Here's a crappy picture of the finished product.
In reality they look dark and glossy and move like tentacles, I am ridiculously happy with how they turned out and I thought I'd share for the other budget builders out there so they don't through the hell I went with when my household latex paint dried out and cracked putting me back to square one on my dreads. Those dreads had to be scraped clean so I could start this project. Figured you guys might as well do it right the first time.
Happy hunting!
So here's a definitive thread to give you great looking dreads for about 50 bucks total cost and there are loads of places you can shave that number down depending on what you have access to.
So lets start with my materials and what *I* paid here in Canada...
5/8" Backer Rod $6.50
1/2" Backer Rod $6.50
Plasti-Dip Spray $15.00
Latex Oops Paint $14.00
1/2" Rigid EMT $6.00
3/8" Rigit EMT $6.00
Total $54.00
For dread rings I strayed from PVC and went with metallic Rigid EMT conduit. It gives some heft and it already has a brushed metal look. If you're hoping for a brass look you could paint them or use copper pipe (but it's more expensive)
Now take your backer rod, cut it into sections, taper it with a scalpel/utility knife and heat it a heat gun on low or a hair dryer on high to seal the foam (make it smooth)
You might want to take a grinder or file to the edge of the rings to keep them from tearing your backer rod. Slip the rings into position and then cover them in masking tape since you'll be dipping them soon.
Ooops paint is found at the counter of your local hardware store. I was fortunate to find someone's oops paint that was ridiculously dark green. I once read a guide that said this alone would make a flexible coating for your backer rod dreads. That's a lie! However use the acrylic latex paint as I do in this process and the results will be much better! This gives some extra weight to your dreads and improves the overall movement.
Now that you've dipped the dread you can hang it up to dry. Overnight works well, I'm doing my paint and plastidip drying on two different lines here.
Now we plastidip! This stuff makes all the difference in the world. It will prevent the underlying latex paint from drying out, give a heavy protective layer, add weight and flexibility. It is however made from death so I strongly recommend good ventilation... as you can see.
Once your first coat of plastidip is done add another if you can see any of the underlying latex paint peaking through. When this coat is done carefully cut along the edges of the dread rings and peel away the masking tape, remove any extra paint with some sand paper. Here's a crappy picture of the finished product.
In reality they look dark and glossy and move like tentacles, I am ridiculously happy with how they turned out and I thought I'd share for the other budget builders out there so they don't through the hell I went with when my household latex paint dried out and cracked putting me back to square one on my dreads. Those dreads had to be scraped clean so I could start this project. Figured you guys might as well do it right the first time.
Happy hunting!
