In need of some help, new 1 week old Predator Costume paint cracking.

[Tlrcarl]

hello all
im carl, well i hoped to start my first post as a happy new predator cosplay... and after saving for some time i finally got a predator costume... but it turns out im in a bit of a mess, and in need of some help!
well ive had the costume for 1 week now and its been on a mannequin but ive just notice that the paint is cracking in the flexible parts of the costume, it seems to only be cracking with the white paint on the body and the head, and the red/pink in the mouth, is there anyway to stop or save the paint from cracking, i love the costume and do want to use it for cosplay at some point. im new to all this so dont know a lot about latex or painting it but from what i have found on hear paint cracking is not good.

any help would be appreciated

thanks carl.

 

[Wreav]

I'm afraid you're going to have to learn how to maintain your suit.
The Predator Costume Manual Guide (2017) <- Read this.

 

[Tlrcarl]

wooo interesting reading... i did read this some time ago but i guess i didnt take it all in till the other day, and i must say a lot of doom and gloom in there lol but im guessing you need to make slow noobs like me understand just how much hard work gos into building and the maintenance of your suit.
i understand from your guide that paint will crack and rub off, but after how long will paint crack, im a bit confused with this. say you paint your costume 1 week ago and its cracking now is that just how thing are ?
im wondering if the white paint on my costume as had any adhesion promoter.
anyway my paint is cracking will permawet stop this ? or how do you guys go about fixing paint cracking, do you take the old paint off some how and re-paint it ?
i no theres more than one way to paint latex that you guys use, wats the best method and suppliers in the UK
thanks carl

 

[Wreav]

When I first came here I thought suit maintenance was easy, underestimated alot that went into building one. Never really listened to advice and thought that I knew better. It's the case with many new comers who enter the prop making/costuming world. Predator is a certain niche that requires that certain understanding. Despite the doom and gloom people learn as they progress and often share stories about their triumphs and endeavors. I mean I remember a friend, Amber, she had to fix a 6 inch gash in her suit. She fixed it and gave me a good quote to remember.
Paint cracking can happen when you wear the suit, if you strain a certain area it's all kind of complicated to explain. For example during the set of AVP, there are fx artists at the ready to do any patch up work when suit paint becomes smudged etc..

Even with any adhesive promoter any sealer paint can eventually crack.
Please refer to that thread, Tim Gores adhesion promoter is available in the UK and so are liquid acrylics by FW.

When I wore a suit, the areas with alot of friction rubbed off first so underarms and in between legs are where to look out for and where the legs meet the feet. Also on the neck of the mask and around the mouth area. Those are areas where cracking is most common.

 

[Tlrcarl]

hia Wreav, just want to say thanks for all the info its going to be a big help, and i will be looking into getting acrylics and getting a repair kit together asap
and your right mate i did underestimate alot of what gos into this making a full costume. did try my costume on in full today for the first time and looking back at the pics makes me appreciate just how much hard work
and time has gone into makeing this,....and it scared my dog lol

 

[Jmen]

hia Wreav, just want to say thanks for all the info its going to be a big help, and i will be looking into getting acrylics and getting a repair kit together asap
and your right mate i did underestimate alot of what gos into this making a full costume. did try my costume on in full today for the first time and looking back at the pics makes me appreciate just how much hard work
and time has gone into makeing this,....and it scared my dog lol
View attachment 267022 View attachment 267023 View attachment 267024

Haha, awesome, mate! And little trophy on the last picture is so nice

 

[Tlrcarl]

R.... Poor gizmo think she though wat the hells going on with this big monster walking round her home trying to get her lol

 

[Jmen]

R.... Poor gizmo think she though wat the hells going on with this big monster walking round her home trying to get her lol

Gizmo? Brilliant!!!