New IM Foam helmet with hinge

[gabzc]

Yes, this is another Iron Man helmet build. I made this one for my 5-year old cousin, and since he asked that it could open and close, i was tweaked Sharkman's pep file by rearraning the parts so I could get a nice overlap (I marked the portions on the pic) and then used Stealth's method of Chicago screws to make the hinge.
I liked it, and more importantly, my cousin liked it.
I'm gonna add a gold lens after I paint it. I'm not going to do much more than just coloring it, maybe even with the kid's help so he feels good about it too. Then again, this build isn't meant for cosplay, its for the kid (teacher in me talking).

 

[gabzc]

I almost forgot. I do have a question on foam builds. Plasti-dip isn't available in the Philippines, I was thinking of just using wall putty to fill in the gaps of the foam. I don't know if that's right or not, and would like to ask for suggestions so I can get a nice, even surface before painting.

 

[Hyperballistik]

you can use a water based caulking to seal gaps also it will seal the foam, just water it down and rub it over the foam with a close cell sponge, I use caulking made for door and window seals, its flexible and can be painted over, just make sure you can paint over it, some caulking contains silicone that cannot be painted over

 

[gabzc]

Thanks hyperballistik. I was told by some guys at the hardware that water-based caulking or waterproofing material doesn't mix well with spray paint. if so, what kind of paint can I use? the last time I tried to paint directly onto the foam, it soaked up the paint and i ended up using the whole can on just a part of the armor. (I already made an IM chest and back for the same kid).
Really appreciate the response.

 

[omel]

Bro, wall putty will crack when flexed, i know how frustrating it is that plastidip is not available here sa Pinas.

 

[gabzc]

Bro, wall putty will crack when flexed, i know how frustrating it is that plastidip is not available here sa Pinas.

Thanks for stopping me before I make a big boo boo with that track. I was also thinking about something I read somewhere here in therpf about using melting glue sticks then brushing it on, but given the heat here, I'm not too keen on that idea, still I might try it out on my cousin's helmet, just to try it out.

 

[Kevin Gossett]

Foam needs to be sealed before it gets painted. In lieu of plastidip, you can use several coats of PVA

 

[pRoJectEarth7]

Bro use acrylic emulsion... meron ang Boysen nyan... that's what most cosplayers used to seal and fill the gap on foam armors... quovadis0620 knows more about it... give him a buzz...:thumbsup

cheers!

 

[lucretius]

Look at xrobots process PVA seems to work pretty well

 

[gabzc]

Thanks for the tips guys! I'll definitely give them some thought. I think my best bet might be the acrylic emulsion, more because of the availability here in the Philippines. Uhm...what is PVA?

 

[omel]

Thanks for the tips guys! I'll definitely give them some thought. I think my best bet might be the acrylic emulsion, more because of the availability here in the Philippines. Uhm...what is PVA?

I've always presumed that PVA = Elmers glue

 

[Genises]

elmers glue is basically PVA with more acid and other stuff added, in terms of foam there is a small chance you could damage your foam but i doubt it, so you could most likely use them interchangeably

 

[gabzc]

A question about PVA, I keep seeing negative comments about using PVA such as it peels off or something. Given that I might not have much of a choice but to use it, how advisable is it here in the Philippines, considering the heat?

 

[gabzc]

Just to say I've completed it, here are the pictures of the IM helmet I made for my cousin. I added lens from an old pair of shades for accent.