How to make latex hard (that's what SHE said!)

[Funky]

:lol Oh, STOP!

So you remember that crappy Rubies Joker TDK latex mask? How would someone go about building up a firm interior wall inside it so that it can be displayed without it "giving". Any ideas?

 

[bleyd]

Would adding that brush on latex work here? Do it up in layers then keep adding til it was firm enough. I'm no expert but I bet that would work. Kinda like that plasti-dip.

This mask would have been so much cooler if they did injected plastic instead of the flexible rubber. I opted to do vac-form versions for my henchmen instead of buying the masks.

 

[Funky]

Plastidip...hmm, now there's an idea. The brush on latex may work as well. Good stuff.

 

[coofunkcurly]

Are you sure it's latex and not vinyl? I know they've been using vinyl for the Batman cowls the last few years but not sure about this particular Joker mask.

 

[Funky]

Good question. I think it's latex.

 

[Sidewinder]

Plaster of paris bandage?

SAS

 

[Jaruemalak]

Plastidip...hmm, now there's an idea. The brush on latex may work as well. Good stuff.

If you are going to use brush on latex, here is a trick to make a firmer reinforcement without using a ton of latex. Lay down a layer of latex, and then immediately lay down a layer of gauze bandage, or even a layer of cotton - just unroll a bunch of cotton balls and stick them to the latex. after that first layer drys, brush in another layer of latex, soaking the gauze or cotton. this will take some time to dry, but it will result in a much firmer reinforcement that will be lighter and stronger than latex alone. After the latex dries, make SURE you dust it liberally with baby powder - dry, unpowdered latex will stick to itself and you will NEVER get it apart!

 

[MooCriket]

Jaruemalak, great tips! I'm going to try that myself and see how it works.

Funky Jedi: Good Luck with yours:thumbsup

 

[kdawg1]

What about one of those plastic mask that you buy at the craft store to paint yourself? Maybe you could glue it inside but before build it up where you need to with those thin foam sheets. Just a thought

 

[Funky]

Heyyyyyyy...you may be on to something here!

 

[Bizarro Lois]

I've never had much fun brushing Plasti-Dip onto anything, so my vote is for the brush-on latex/gauze or the plaster bandage. Is there a way to tell if the mask is vinyl or rubber? If it's latex, won't it eventually start to degrade?

 

[coofunkcurly]

If it's vinyl the latex wont stick so maybe do a test first.

And as an addition to what someone elese said to layering cotton balls to the latex - you can also use cheesecloth.

 

[patsmear]

You can tell if it is latex by the smell too.

Also, you can get plastidip in a spray if you go that route. If you use latex and make it thick enough, it won't breakdown nearly as quick.

Pat