Silicon Rubber Pred Skin!

[MasterAnubis]

From what I understand from my suppliers, you can't use acrylics and Pros-aide on silicone... you have to use special paints designed for silicone and they, in turn, won't work on latex.... Just something to consider.

Silicone is a bit different to paint but as long as you follow the rules, it's actually really easy.

I think if you painted the silicone mask first using oil paints, it would be quite easy the match a latex skin to it.

The hardest paint would be to mimic the translucency in the silicone but that's where the skills come in

Off of the Pros-aide sight it says on the box that it's formulated for silicone prostetics...
wouldn't that mean if a layer is put down on silicone then what ever paints are used for latex can be used?

 

[Uratz]

Have you guys tried Neoprene? Its like latex except much better and less prone to tearing and rotting. I just found this out the other day. Neoprene in 3 grades It comes about $55 a gallon so its not that expensive. I think its good for Predator Mask makers who want quality and long lasting masks that don't rot.

Its shame I have to pay thru the nose for shipping in China but you guys in the states have nothing to lose as they offer free shipping.

 

[Mannowar]

Off of the Pros-aide sight it says on the box that it's formulated for silicone prostetics...
wouldn't that mean if a layer is put down on silicone then what ever paints are used for latex can be used?

Yes, that's actually what it was designed for... silicone prosthetics and their application, i.e., glueing a prosthetic scar to your face in the makeup department... but pianting is another matter. They use it with silicone appliances because it's easily removeable from say, your face, or whatever they're putting the appliance on. But that's the reason you can't paint with it... it releases too easily from the silicone.

 

[deadpool 99]

Hey guys Im new on here but have had experience with silicone costumes, Take this into conssideration, wearing it is a bitch. Im all abouyt stalking around in costumes and posing with people, but I sweat my ass off in a silicone costume. Plus, Its very hard to get into and out of and it stays wet which makes it even harder to get in and out of the second time. I would strongly suggest a foam rubber suit like the ones in the movies, they are more comfy to wear even though they have their flaws. After extensive wear you will have to repair them in the areas that have movement. I would suggest a mesh backing like spandex as a base for the knees, and elbows. Then also the sweat will bleed through the foam and eventually cause the paint to crack and fall off. But I would still recomend this route over the silicone. I make silicone covered shirts for the f 13 pt 8 jason takes manhatten costume and it weighs about 10 pounds. Thats alot for a shirt and its a very thin layer of silicone. I could only imagine what a full costume would weigh. Hope this helps and gives you a idea.

 

[Usurper]

DAVIDRY1 has been doing silicone suits for a while, this is as far back as 2007.

http://www.theeffectslab.com/forums/viewto...p;&start=20


Although DAVID is supremly talented, theres a saying, "where there's a will , there's a way."

 

[xdmray]

DAVIDRY1 has been doing silicone suits for a while, this is as far back as 2007.

http://www.theeffectslab.com/forums/viewto...p;&start=20


Although DAVID is supremly talented, theres a saying, "where there's a will , there's a way."

that is insane. sure i could use an undersuit, but lets do it the hard way and sculpt fabric.

A-MAZ-ZING

 

[Guan Thwei]

I'm going by the Master himself Steve Wang who said that to not use silicone @ all and to just use Foam Latex because depending on how thin the silicone layer is it will have the tendecy to rip more easily then the Foam Latex that is what he says anyway.

 

[ptgreek]

I'm going by the Master himself Steve Wang who said that to not use silicone @ all and to just use Foam Latex because depending on how thin the silicone layer is it will have the tendecy to rip more easily then the Foam Latex that is what he says anyway.

Foam latex is generally used for prosthetic pieces and many pulls are taken for only one or two applications at best. Steve would be using these for film projects that are needed for use only on set. Lee would want a costume that can be worn many times and last for some time. Foam latex is organic and has a very short shelf life

 

[Usurper]

Foam latex will rip alot easier if it is not backed with webbing or something, plus it breathes so sweet will go through it, now imagine what sweet is going to do to your nice shiney paint up.

getting sick of the naysayers now tbfh, this is what we do , TRY new things , and is this case it is not even NEW, you want to stay with latex FINE, i am prepared to try something i have not seen before, if i fail i fail, but at least i tried.

so with all the negativity, i AM going to sculpt myself a full body skin ( hopefully at the end of the year ) and try to use silicone now. no more comments from me.

 

[TUSKY]

I agree with you Lee, give it a try. If you fail so what, try something else.
You learn by doing.
Foam latex suits are good on set, but for a con forget it.
Unless you havre a full fx crew following you around, even then,..
As for the paint up, bad enough on set having to repaint and touch up damaged suits.
Prehaps you can use something as a backer material.
Keep trying man, don't let it get ya down.

 

[Guan Thwei]

Foam latex will rip alot easier if it is not backed with webbing or something, plus it breathes so sweet will go through it, now imagine what sweet is going to do to your nice shiney paint up.

getting sick of the naysayers now tbfh, this is what we do , TRY new things , and is this case it is not even NEW, you want to stay with latex FINE, i am prepared to try something i have not seen before, if i fail i fail, but at least i tried.

so with all the negativity, i AM going to sculpt myself a full body skin ( hopefully at the end of the year ) and try to use silicone now. no more comments from me.

I was just going by what he said I told him that I wanted to use Silicone as well because smooth-on had the Dragon Skin and the Eco-Flex that is very soft, stretchable, and is used for a lot of movement required parts and action for animatronics or what have you. Based on that description alone I thought it would be perfect for a Predator skin because of all the movement that we do @ the Cons and stuff.
I really want to see how it looks Lee keep us posted on the process.

 

[Americanel]

Hello mates, i'm Andrea and new here.
I think Lee is right to try, why not try if you do not have the results on which you can express opinions, unfortunately, i don't make costumes or masks, are just a fan but reading the comments made by yours, from your experience I can get advice at the end latex apparently for the costumes is the most durable and lasting mistake?

i hope i have write to wrong way i don't speak english very well, i use half myself brain half translator lol

 

[DAVIDYR1]

getting sick of the naysayers now tbfh, this is what we do , TRY new things , and is this case it is not even NEW, you want to stay with latex FINE, i am prepared to try something i have not seen before, if i fail i fail, but at least i tried.

so with all the negativity, i AM going to sculpt myself a full body skin ( hopefully at the end of the year ) and try to use silicone now. no more comments from me.

Quoting your post for truth.

Guys...try new things. You'll be surprised at what works and what doesn't. I was told over and over and over for YEARS...."Don't do it that way. Everyone does it THIS way."

If for nothing more than to be different, artistically and creatively it's one more way to make a 'replica' work that much more your own rather than it being a predictable finished piece.
You guys have all been really stepping up the Pred game over the last few years and a lot of the builds here are really incredible. Just don't ever be satisfied with any one given technique alone....experimenting keeps the hobby moving forward.

That said, all materials have their pros and cons...no one rubber is perfect. Personally, I started with latex, then moved to urethane cast costumes and finally found a great home with silicone suits...and we built a lot of them. Some prefer foam, others prefer slush latex....but all are valid, extremely valid choices.

Had I chosen to stay in the costuming game, one thing is for sure....by now I'd probably be pushing for some new cast rubber or armor technique. For me when something gets too comfortable, it's usually time to source a new medium.

Now we work primarily in leather. Funny how things evolve....but experimenting is what makes anything and everything possible.
Lee you stick to your guns bud....

David

 

[Usurper]

Thanks David,
Gota keep pushing out of your comfort zone ( i think anyway )

Love the licensed stuff your are doing, makes me wanna own a bike...............Nearly

 

[skunk]

Gota keep pushing out of your comfort zone ( i think anyway )

Have to agree 10000%.......trial and error go hand in hand with this hobby.....it's no good being like Homer Simpson lol..." never try.....never fail"
You should ALWAYS try new things or progression is not possible.....sometimes you win..sometimes you loose ..but you will ALWYS learn.
I cant remember who quoted it..but someone once said.."I always try to do the things I cant do....that way...I eventually get to do them"

 

[MasterAnubis]

I'm just throwing this out there since I can't find the source.

One guy said he uses a thinned mix of clear silicone caulk and paint. If I remember right it was alcohol that he used to thin it. He didn't say how well it wore or what kind of paint.

 

[Yarko]

I'm just going to say...

I've made some test using silicone for a predator skin. Everything works just great if you use some tights as a base. If you are thinking about giving it a try, I say do it.