IRON MAN MARK I (My Version)

[BROTHERFOSTER]

This is my first post so be kind. I made this costume to wear at work this past Halloween (I won first place). I couldn't make it TOO bulky (had to still be able to work), hence this "streamlined" version. I made it out of closed cell polyethylene (blue camp mats), hot glued it together , painted it and added other components. Paint doesn't stick too well to polyethylene unless someone out there knows of a type of paint that does. Anyway, I'm thinking of trying to tackle a Mark IV made of the same material. Wish I could find red and gold camp mats so that I wouldn't have to worry about the paint rubing off. We'll see....

 

[DaddyfromNaboo]

Awesome !!!

Your version holds up very, very, very well in a comparison to the original one, especially as a more or less comfortable Halloween costume !!!

 

[Jedifyfe]

I agree. I think that is so cool. That is probably a harder suit to pull off! Great job!

I like your door stoppers on your knees!

 

[BROTHERFOSTER]

I agree. I think that is so cool. That is probably a harder suit to pull off! Great job!

I like your door stoppers on your knees!

Appreciate the comments. Found quite of few items at a dollar store (including the door stoppers) :lol to add to the suit.

 

[PirateDude]

Very impressive. How much did it cost to build the whole thing?

 

[MooCriket]

:coolThat is all kinds of awesome!

 

[STARTREKTOS]

Wow Great work.

 

[Fullmetalsam]

This is very nice !!!
I'd be very curious to know how much this thing cost... it look like it didn't cost that much but still look amazing (just my kind of projects )

As for your question on painting polyethylene foam - you should look up a prduct from Rosco: Flexbond. I use it as a "bonding agent" for foam and paint. Once the foam is coated with flexbond, I paint using Krylon-brand spraycan and then use a clear coat on top. Flexbond is not really meant for this kind of thing, but I had such great results with it that I always use the same process to paint my foam costumes.

There's a bunch of other product you can use to help your paint stick to your foam (from watered down elmer regular white glue to gesso/modge podge), but like I said, no other product kept my thing looking great for a long long long time.

However, you're stuck with matte clear coat... unless you're using a special kind of flexible gloss varnish or something like future floor wax. Regular glossy clear coat will always end up cracking on foam costume.

 

[BROTHERFOSTER]

Very impressive. How much did it cost to build the whole thing?

Less than $100, the biggest expense being the 5 camp mat rolls ($50) that were used. Paint, velcro, chest light and "engine" (with a working, flat handheld fan incorporated into it) on the back (see pic) came to about $40 to $45.

 

[BROTHERFOSTER]

This is very nice !!!
I'd be very curious to know how much this thing cost... it look like it didn't cost that much but still look amazing (just my kind of projects )

As for your question on painting polyethylene foam - you should look up a prduct from Rosco: Flexbond. I use it as a "bonding agent" for foam and paint. Once the foam is coated with flexbond, I paint using Krylon-brand spraycan and then use a clear coat on top. Flexbond is not really meant for this kind of thing, but I had such great results with it that I always use the same process to paint my foam costumes.

There's a bunch of other product you can use a something to help your paint stick to your foam (from watered down elmer regular white glue to gesso/modge podge), but like I said, no other product kept my thing looking great for a long long long time.

However, if you're stuck with matte clear coat... unless you're using a special kind of flexible gloss varnish or something like future floor wax. Regular glossy clear coat will always end up cracking on foam costume.

THANKS A MILLION for the Flexbond tip! I'll pick some up and try it.

 

[bigboy]

this is truly an excellent job

 

[PirateDude]

HOLY COW THAT CHEAP!!!!! I think I just found a cool project to do. Thanks alot Dude and good luck with your future projects.

Iron Man Rules!!!!

 

[BROTHERFOSTER]

HOLY COW THAT CHEAP!!!!! I think I just found a cool project to do. Thanks alot Dude and good luck with your future projects.

Iron Man Rules!!!!

Forgot one other "expense"...TIME! I had no help (wanted to keep it under wraps) constructing this. I began the last week of September and was still fine tuning it the night beforeI debuted it at work. My wife is a saint for allowing me the time to devote to it.

 

[darthchiro]

damn thats great, and you even took ergonomics into consideration lol. Those floor matts are great, very versitile.

 

[Pilot]

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. If I were wearing a hat, it would be off to you. :lol

 

[BROTHERFOSTER]

Appreciate all of the comments. Now that I know that paint can stick to the polyethylene (after being coated with Flexbond), I'll start on my Mark IV shortly.

 

[BROTHERFOSTER]

Anyone else ever work on a Mark I?

 

[Meathead316]

excellent work, what thickness were the mats you used? and what did you use to stick them?

 

[cavedwellar]

I've done a couple of projects with the blue camp mats too, and I paint them first with Plasti-dip spray. Plasti comes in different colors as well.
Once sprayed with the Plasti, you can paint with acrylics or other paint mediums.
I love what you did with the suit, the M1 is my favorite.

 

[BROTHERFOSTER]

excellent work, what thickness were the mats you used? and what did you use to stick them?

I used both 1/2 inch and 1 inch thickness camp mats. I used hot glue to hold everything together. It sets up pretty quick and is an excellent bonding agent for polyethylene mats.