Kid Trooper Costume: boots help done- progress as it comes along

[TK171]

I'm working on my 5 yr olds Storm Trooper costume. Found a great pair of boots at the thrift store the other day in his size. They are little girls 3/4 boots-in black pleather/vinyl with zipper up the inside. They'll work perfect, but need advice on best way to make them white.

Any advice is appreciated. I've taped them off around the zipper and around the black soles already.

Is there a good paint to use on this material? Something that will hold up a bit. It's not an everyday use and I don't mind redoing as needed, but looking for something that will hold up a little and get best bang for the buck.

Any topcoat that would help on something like this?

His helmet is done other than needing a liner or some padding to make it fit properly. I'll get some photos up.

 

[TK171]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

a few WIP helmet pics before final touches were added.

 

[Russ257]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

they make special vinyl spraypaint

 

[Supa troop]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

im actually after a pair of boots for my son too but cant find anything any where would really be interested in seeing the boots you got for your son

 

[TK171]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

A few more of the helmet with ear cap and aerators added:

Here's the boots I got- not the best pic.
There were actually little flowers on the side too- but a seam ripper took those out. Probably be covered up by the shin armor anyways.

 

[TK171]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

they make special vinyl spraypaint

Thanks. Would you happen to know if that something available at like a Home Depot.. or more like a Joanne Fabric type store. Just like a specifc type Krylon or who ever makes?

 

[Hogosha]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

Rustoleum makes a white Vinyl Spray paint. You should be able to get it a Sears or West Marine. Should be just the trick. And BTW, thrift stores rock for kids costume boots!

 

[Supa troop]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

Here's the boots I got- not the best pic.
There were actually little flowers on the side too- but a seam ripper took those out. Probably be covered up by the shin armor anyways.

Those look great, ive literally just this minute picked up a similar pair

 

[TK171]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

Nice!

I love thrifting for the kids costume stuff. The boots I got for Jack 2 yrs ago for his solo costume were also a thrift store find. Those were chicks boots too- but they had a good thick platform to them. but- they worked for the purpose.

Only issue, was it made him even taller- and when my 1.5yr old was Chewy, the heights were all wrong to begin with and it made it even more lopsided. :lol

Now Nick rocks the Solo-

Found these boots at GAP kids on clearnace last fall. (Again Chick boots) but that's where it's at for the kids.

 

[TK171]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

Rustoleum makes a white Vinyl Spray paint. You should be able to get it a Sears or West Marine. Should be just the trick. And BTW, thrift stores rock for kids costume boots!

Thanks.. I hadn't even thought about a marine store. That's perfect with vinly seats in boats.

 

[TK171]

Re: Kid Trooper Costume: boots help

MR trooper compared to Jack's.

 

[pandatrooper]

Maybe the tips here will help.

HOWTO: Make your own boots - First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment

 

[TK171]

Thanks for the info and link. My only concern, is these boots aren't true leather- so I don't know how well they would take a leather dye.

I'll go the spray route. Again- it's my 5yr olds boots and will only be trooped a handful of times. I can recoat as needed.

Joe

 

[mikey123mushukl]

I made child sized clone trooper armor using Pepakura files reduced to a smaller scale and then strengthened the paper parts with hot glue on the inside. Finaly i coated the pieces inside and out with several layers of waterproof elasto metric roof coating.

 

[TK171]

I made child sized clone trooper armor using Pepakura files reduced to a smaller scale and then strengthened the paper parts with hot glue on the inside. Finaly i coated the pieces inside and out with several layers of waterproof elasto metric roof coating.

Pics? in another thread maybe? I'd like to see

 

[TK171]

Some WIP over the weekend. Much trimming and some test fitting:

 

[tictoc]

Great progress but if I could off a little constructive criticism...


You need to take a risk with the chest and back armor.

It swallows him.


I would carve about 2-3+ inches out of the neck area on the chest piece and at least 1 1/2 inches off the bottom. ( Carve the back plate top/bottom and sides as well) After you carve out the new neck, trim the new strap extensions back to little nubs. After cutting away the excess plastic, you can bring up the chest /back piece up alot higher and it will look better. You may need to use a heat gun to curve the sides in closer.

You can then take a hobby iron and put a new return edge on the newly formed pieces.

Take the risk. It will look awesome.

or ignore this post, and have fun regardless!

 

[TK171]

I do agree. I did take a bit out to begin, and it's actually better than what's shown in the photo. But it does need a little more scallop around the neck both front and back. I think it would have helped if I had cut down the shoulder straps and "tightened" it up to his neck.

That said...I do need to heat it up a bit and form it to him better as well as cut some of the ab section to allow for the under "belly" armor to show. Did get the cod peice and butt trimmed up and cut that in half actually. Going to put white wide elastic in to hold it together, but it allows to sit and flip the cod up to use the restroom. Bad enough when I had my armor 12 yrs ago, but I learned quick to mod it this way. I can't imagine suiting up a kid to only have him say he's "gotta go".. :lol

Working on the boots more tonight. Just a word of caution.... the black stiching isn't taking the paint all that well so far. But, only 2 coats in too.. so we'll see.

Stay tuned. :love

 

[carbonitekid]

I recognise that kit:

My ( at the time ) 4 year old Lucas.

Another cheap source for boots is here , just for others/future reference:

Dublin Universal Jodhpur Boot Adults & Kids

Cheap as chips and easily sprayed. :cool

 

[carbonitekid]

Another piece of advice I would give is this; reshape the tops of the thighs once assembled. go for a more acurate look on the inner thigh especially will help mobility greatly.

Our 501st squad has 4 mini TK's amongst members children ranging in age from 5 - 9 and the only one who can walk "normally" is Lucas my 5 year old due to having had them trimmed.