Lightweight material to simulate metal

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

I am in the process of designing a suit of armor, shield, and sword but would like to keep everything lightweight.

What is a good material to manufacture simulated metal armor and trick the minds eye using paint and color.

I have looked into fiberglass, resin, and other forms of molding but this is going to be done on an inexpensive level. Some have used foam board but does this stuff need to be sealed with fiberglass or resin?

Expert assistance requested. :confused

 

[Raffles]

for all the metalwork on my evil dead chainsaw I used sintra. I scored the surface randomly with a screwdriver (all in one direction) and then brushed it with a wire brush. Admittedly this'll give you a brushed steel effect but it takes detail really well so you should be able to do other effects.

 

[propologist]

i agree with the sintra . It is called several different things but is very flexible for all types of projects.

 

[g05ty]

If you do use foam board or something similar that doesent react very well with normal spray paint look at games workshops undercoat sprays, a bit pricy but doesent melt foam or polystyrene like most.

 

[motman241]

Plastic is the way to go - ABS, styrene, plexiglass, etc, etc. Just variations on a common theme.

 

[division 6]

ABS works well.
Flexes, light weight, easy to work with, fairly cheap, holds paint well can take some punishment
The Orc sword is even ABS and has survived doing battle against Zena stunt swords.

D6