New Here: Looking for advice :)

[grafhikul7683]

Im a new member here, just registered today once I found this website and it seems you guys know your stuff. Well I began creating a basic plaster bandage model of a Mask from a manga/anime named Naruto. (the mask is of the main villain Tobi/Madara) and what Im really wanting to know is how to finish this thing off correctly to where its wearable and durable. Ive seen many youtube vids of pepakura where people are using fiberglass and bondo to strengthen the form, but since I created this from plaster bandages what do I do lol?. Im just at a loss right now on what to actually do next with this thing lol. I do know that I need to build up a few areas to make the piece have a smoother flow overall.

pics below:

here is a front pic from the manga/anime

and here is a pic of a colored version I found on Deviantart.com

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[division 6]

Even with it being plaster bandages you should still be able to use resin and bondo on the surface to add strength and smooth it out.

You could also use Gesso, it will give you a hard surface to then smooth over with bondo.
Gesso is water based and is used for preparing canvas for painting and with some work can be made glass smooth with sanding.

with what ever you use make sure to also smooth out the inside and probably line with felt or foam for comfort since you intend to wear it.

Also think about how you intend to breath with it on.
Enclosed masks and helmets get very hot and make breathing difficult without some sort of ventilation.

p.s. you should have this migrated over to the costume section.

 

[grafhikul7683]

Even with it being plaster bandages you should still be able to use resin and bondo on the surface to add strength and smooth it out.

You could also use Gesso, it will give you a hard surface to then smooth over with bondo.
Gesso is water based and is used for preparing canvas for painting and with some work can be made glass smooth with sanding.

with what ever you use make sure to also smooth out the inside and probably line with felt or foam for comfort since you intend to wear it.

Also think about how you intend to breath with it on.
Enclosed masks and helmets get very hot and make breathing difficult without some sort of ventilation.

p.s. you should have this migrated over to the costume section.

thx for the insight. So i should gesso the thing first and then bondo? Im not understanding which should come first. And in regards to the breathing, its not enclosed flush to my face, I designed it to curve over my nose and allow a half inch gap from tip of nose to chin. (if that makes any sense?) I can breathe very well in it.

 

[division 6]

Yes Gesso first to get the hard surface then Bondo to smooth it out.

 

[grafhikul7683]

ok last question: Will the bondo-"ed" surface chip or crack? Or does that all depend on how thick I layer it?


and thx for the help!

 

[division 6]

If flexed it will.
For a really solid surface epoxy coating would probably be the best.
You may be able to just go with the gesso in several layers to get it fully smooth with sanding between applications.

Or epoxy putty could be used instead of bondo but will be more expensive and probably heavier.
Epoxy putties are things like Aves and Magic Sculpt.

 

[grafhikul7683]

again thx for the help! ive been sitting for days starring at the thing in the corner lol.

 

[division 6]

That's why we are here.:thumbsup

Make sure to show your progress.

I'm almost wondering you you couldn't have just found an object in the correct shape an cut that up to save time and materials.

Perhaps a large plastic easter egg.

 

[grafhikul7683]

well i kinda wanted it to be more personalized. and the plaster bandages only cost me 5 bucks so I was like whatever lol. As soon as I get the other materials I will post and update. Trying to map out in my head how to do the circles on the mask to where they appear as a full circle when facing forward like the mask in the manga. I dont really want to just paint black rings on it, I kinda want to carve them in give a lil depth to it.

 

[division 6]

Gotcha.

 

[JPolacchi]

Another option would be to vacuform the shape,but that may be a bit too advanced?

 

[grafhikul7683]

Another option would be to vacuform the shape,but that may be a bit too advanced?

long as I have a detailed howto. Im pretty good at catching on to new things.

 

[JPolacchi]

Well,you need you *plug* and basically, its a wooden box with holes drilled on one surface,and openiong for a vacuume cleaner and you heat styrene up in a clamp/frame and you place it over the mold and trun the vacuume on.There are heaps of tutorials on making a simple vacume former.