Lycra/spandex Body Suit Question.

[Loomis81]

Hey everyone! New guy here. I've been lurking and reading for a while, wanted to make sure I covered as much ground as possible so I wouldn't ask repetitive or ignorant questions. I've finished my dtd and I'm ready to start latexing my body suit. I'm using a zentai style suit for its flexibility and snugness to the body. I only want to put a light coat of latex to build up the texture for the skin, mostly chest and upper body. I'm not sculpting in additional muscles as I'm a pretty thick guy and I don't want to go overboard. I guess my question is, how thin is too thin on the latex? I don't any durability issues but I don't want to go thicker than I have too. Also I was thinking of leaving a few areas without latex to allow the suit to stretch. 

Thanks for the help!

-Andy

 

[Lflank]

I've made three Pred skins, and didn't use latex on any of them. For two of the skins, I used the "Rambo" Halloween costume muscle-shirt and a pair of leotards, and for the third, I used a full-length unitard body stocking.

I don't use latex because I live in Florida where it's hot all the time, and I needed air circulation to keep cool. Even so, I don't wear the suit for more than an hour or so at a time. Heat stroke is no fun at all.  

To color my skins, I just used plain ole ordinary Krylon spray paint.

 

[wonko]

The first coat will soak into the material quite a bit.  Once your first coat is on and fully cured, I would say 3-4 light coats should do you.  Have you thought how you're going to blend it in with the parts that aren't latexed?  When I did mine, I used a small short nap roller for the first coat, then torn up sponges to apply the rest.  I tried brushing it on, but it left ugly brush marks that I had to go back over a few times to hide.  Don't forget, the latex shrinks quite a bit (more than I was expecting) so allow for that.

Brian

 

[Loomis81]

Brian,

I had planned on rolling the first coat like you stated. Once it had cured I honestly was just going to play it by ear. I want enough that it will give me the flesh look I want but not build it up too thick. As far as blending, I was just going to not cover those areas when I applied the first coat. Then blend back from there depending on how many coats I apply. The areas I was planning on not coating were the underarms, back area about 3"-4" off of the zipper, back of knees and back of calves. All these areas would still be painted of course.

Andy

 

[wonko]

Brian,

I had planned on rolling the first coat like you stated. Once it had cured I honestly was just going to play it by ear. I want enough that it will give me the flesh look I want but not build it up too thick. As far as blending, I was just going to not cover those areas when I applied the first coat. Then blend back from there depending on how many coats I apply. The areas I was planning on not coating were the underarms, back area about 3"-4" off of the zipper, back of knees and back of calves. All these areas would still be painted of course.

Andy

Sounds like a good plan.  3 nice even coats should do what you're trying to do.  I have 4-5 pretty heavy coats on mine, and still have decent mobility.  Keep us updated on your work.

Oh yeah, welcome to the lair!

Brian

 

[Loomis81]

Thanks man! Will start a wip thread once I get my suit on the dummy and begin latex application.

 

[sulaco1967]

Hi I can totaly understand your dillema. I am currently latexing a Zentai suit, abeit it most parts have foam muscles attached. I am sponge applying the latex as Brian (wonko) mentioned and it goes on very thin.

Yeah it's hard to know when the layers are thick enough, I have sponged on about six in some areas and think I'm just about there. I left the crotch area unlatexed and will not be painting this.

Will be following your progress and look forward to pics

Sean

oh and here is a link to my WIP...

http://www.thehunterslair.com/topic/28800-sulaco1967-wip-first-buildmuscle-suit-update-270313/page-7#entry370801

 

[Loomis81]

Thanks Sean!