My Dark Knight build (GCFX suit plus tweaks)

[LePaul]

I figured it was time to start my own thread.

Bought a full Gotham City FX Dark Knight suit a bit ago.

Can't say its been a great experience, everything was thrown in a box and when I got it, the shoulder/cowl was falling apart.

Contacted them, they apologized, mentioned they had Halloween holiday help and offered a $100 refund for the hassle and send out a replacement, which they did.

Mask, despite being made for a 23.5 inch head, is extremely tight on my 23.5 inch head. Add foam around the left side eyebrow and below the eye seems to help (for some reason the right side is fine without any tweaks)

I'm 5ft 9 and some change (easier to say "a bit under 5'10") Due to the stretchiness of the suit, I'm fighting gravity/sag. Most noticeable in the cod piece (it bends LOL...."Hey ladies, Batman likey!") May need to relocate where the snap at the bottom is

Bigger concern is the armor bits not staying on well. Not sure if this is a problem with how they put it together or the nature of trying to adhere stiff urethane parts on a stretchy/mesh material Ordered some 2P-10 adhesive as others suggested to add more adhesive to the problem areas Also will need to use this to attach the velcro to the gauntlets



Managed to "tighten" up the bottom of the suit by taking it in (sewing/hemming) an inch. The knee pieces aren't folding over the boots as bad as before. Added a black web belt that is 2 inches wide which the utility belt covers nicely.

The top...the chest armor sort of bends out a bit, I think some shoulder pads might help add some lift

Still trying to figure out how the cape should attach and fit.

Look forward to the feed back guys. GCFX lead me in the right direction with vendors for boots and gloves.

 

[LePaul]

More pics

 

[VaultUK]

With the legs dropping add some straps from legs and that will go over your shoulders will help with the weight

 

[LePaul]

Like a suspender-like fix?

How about the cape?

 

[Berserk]

That's exactly what I did to fix my first set. The lower amour was too heavy and kept pulling the pants down. I sew some suspenders like firemen with the split end, and sewed it into the belt area. Worked a treat. Ended up making my second suit with the same design as it worked so well

 

[LePaul]

So, if I understand this right, you sewed in some material around the waist and then attached some suspenders to that?

I understand the concept, just trying to "visualize" it is the hard part!

 

[LePaul]

Still working on this!
I have to implement some of the ideas many of you have shared. I found a mannequin that was close to my size (just under 5'10") and that should arrive this week.

What are you guys covering the mannequin in to protect it from the 2P-10 adhesive? Newspaper and a lot of painter's tape? I really want to fix those "flapping" areas where the armor isn't glued on very completely.

I also came across a picture showing the chest mounting spots for the cape



Does anyone mount the cape like that, say, gluing snaps to the armor and cape? I sure don't want to do that and risk the cape trying to peel away.

 

[VaultUK]

Use a plastic food wrap roll around your mannaquin when gluing.

 

[LePaul]

Use a plastic food wrap roll around your mannaquin when gluing.

Thanks for that!

Any tips on best practices for attaching the cape? I'm trying to avoid any regrets for when I eventually have it get stepped on

 

[sparrowfan]

can you post some pics of the chest torso?
i see they are offering just that piece that i am interested in

 

[teragon]

mine is attached with snap buttons right under the "bridges", the same place as on the movie suit. One button on each side, holds well on its own, while letting the cape go if somebody step on it, to avoid any ripping.

 

[LePaul]

My mannequin showed up and I wanted to see how it fit.



The mannequin closely matches my own build and size (you never know til you have it in person!) I'm thinking shoulder pads might be a good idea! Might help tighten up the chest area a bit too

The GCFX gauntlets are awful, I noticed the glue they used on the velcro isn't holding well at all and got on the cape. That's going to suck to clean off.

Over the weekend I'll undo this, wrap up the mannequin in plastic and then suit it up again. I want to do some test adhesive work with the 2P-10 and fixing the peeling areas.

 

[VaultUK]

If your having issues with the under suit and parts coming off if it was me I would replace it.(that's not me looking for a sale on mesh as I'm out)
There's a very good chance someone will have 4meters out there they don't want.

 

[LePaul]

If your having issues with the under suit and parts coming off if it was me I would replace it.(that's not me looking for a sale on mesh as I'm out)
There's a very good chance someone will have 4meters out there they don't want.

See I am worried about not having the placement right. But then again, if stuff is sagging...

I'll have to post some pics or vids of the undersuit so you can better see what I am working thru.

 

[VaultUK]

I sent u a link to my Facebook page. I can answer your questions faster there

 

[LePaul]

I didn't get it PM me

 

[Darnid]

Looks great.

 

[LePaul]

Since one of the concerns I mentioned is the sagging from the weight on the chest, I came up with an idea...

Tonight I picked up a set of Senior ice hockey shoulder pads. They aren't huge like football ones, mostly foam type material. It also has a chest piece and, quite frankly, goes on just like the dark knight cowl does! But I am hoping the added shoulder and chest dimensions tightens up and fills the suit better.

For $47, its worth trying!

 

[JTWING]

Any update on how it is all going LePaul? I am curious to know how your fixes work out! I was also thinking of ordering from GCFX but been on the fence about it, just seems like the product should fit you a lot better/not fall a part for the hard earned cash I know you paid. Anyways, still a crazy awesome suit and glad to see it on the shoulders of a sub 5'10 guy too!

 

[LePaul]

Hi there

Well one update...I did buy those inexpensive shoulder pads, which gave me some more vertical lift on the suit but it also had a dis-advantage...it makes it extremely difficult for the shoulder under straps to velcro into position. So, not quite the fix i had hoped for

I think the ultimate fix is what Kapow suggests....getting a properly fit undersuit (mesh) that isn't sagging/too big. The armor, as I've mentioned above, once attached, makes the sagging even worse

I can't say I would happily refer you to GCFX. Hell's Kitchen would be my choice if I were to do it all over again. A little pricier but right the first time.