Not sure if this is the right thread for this but, I want to make my first pepakura (zenyatta's helmet), but im already stuck on what kind of materials i should use. since in almost every tutorial they buy it from american sites or atleast outside of europe. Everything has a different word too here so i dont know what kind of (paper?) i need to make it. I live in the Netherlands. Thanks in advance!
Help with materials
- Thread starter DashYay
- Start date
PlasticArmory
New Member
Choose the material to which you will be comfortable to work with. I prefer paper with a density of 180 g/m2 for pepakura.
Some posts are dedicated to making of EVA foam (Ethyleenvinylacetaat in Nederlands) - this mats for children, insulation
Some posts are dedicated to making of EVA foam (Ethyleenvinylacetaat in Nederlands) - this mats for children, insulation
Agree with Plastic Armory 
something like card but not so difficult to fold.
As for finishing/continuing with the piece there are a few good options depending on what you're willing to do.
Good practice is to build the piece with the paper/card - then coat that with fiberglass resin (adds a bit of stability) then fiberglass over the top of that and the finishing process to go with it.
If you're looking for a cheap option - theres always the classic Papier Mache or Plaster of Paris (but plaster is heavy) - these options are a lot harder to get looking "real" cause they're not plastic based (polyfiller - or any kind of plaster used for filling cracks in walls - works for smoothness and sands well).
something like card but not so difficult to fold.As for finishing/continuing with the piece there are a few good options depending on what you're willing to do.
Good practice is to build the piece with the paper/card - then coat that with fiberglass resin (adds a bit of stability) then fiberglass over the top of that and the finishing process to go with it.
If you're looking for a cheap option - theres always the classic Papier Mache or Plaster of Paris (but plaster is heavy) - these options are a lot harder to get looking "real" cause they're not plastic based (polyfiller - or any kind of plaster used for filling cracks in walls - works for smoothness and sands well).
Uridium
Sr Member
Print the Pep onto 180g/m2 (or 200) paper, it should feel stiffer than normal printer paper (lightweight card) but still be able to go through a normal printer.
Resin your model - (in the UK i use a product called 'EpoxAmite 101')
Add some Fiberglass matting + Resin to the inside. (you should find fiberglass matting on amazon easily, and the resin is the same stuff as above)
I bought '100g 2 x 2 Twill Weave Glass Fabric (1m)' from a UK based online company https://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk
Then use Bondo on the outside and sand sand sand.... (in the UK I buy this stuff 'Isopon P38' to use - not sure what you get in your country)
You can also RONDO the inside of your helmet to cover the rough fiberglass/resin and add more strength. Rondo is simply a half&half mixture of both your Bondo and Resin products.
Good Pep Thread showing all stages:
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=255611
EDIT: feel free to ask any more questions, I know I spammed some people here with Questions when doing my first build.
Resin your model - (in the UK i use a product called 'EpoxAmite 101')
Add some Fiberglass matting + Resin to the inside. (you should find fiberglass matting on amazon easily, and the resin is the same stuff as above)
I bought '100g 2 x 2 Twill Weave Glass Fabric (1m)' from a UK based online company https://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk
Then use Bondo on the outside and sand sand sand.... (in the UK I buy this stuff 'Isopon P38' to use - not sure what you get in your country)
You can also RONDO the inside of your helmet to cover the rough fiberglass/resin and add more strength. Rondo is simply a half&half mixture of both your Bondo and Resin products.
Good Pep Thread showing all stages:
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=255611
EDIT: feel free to ask any more questions, I know I spammed some people here with Questions when doing my first build.
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