Trying my own TMNT Raphael Build

[DMentdEnt]

I got the head from the propshop because I think they are the best budget head out there (can't beat under $300)

Today I decided to make duct tape dummy arms, now the trick is going to be...what I can do to make them smoother to be able to apply the latex to it.

I also got the Mr Incredible muscle suit to use as a base for the body...

But as these arms go....any suggestions to get them ready for latex painting?

 

[DMentdEnt]

maybe if I used the spray foam from home depot to cover it first, THEN did latex?

 

[DMentdEnt]

a friend suggested I use a drywall material to cover these, then sand them down smooth before adding latex...


any other suggestions?

 

[EyeofSauron]

dont do that. you need something that is flexible, as the arms will move. drywall filler will crack on the slightest bend.
what you can do is use thin foam, glue it on, cover it with fabric and then use latex on top of that. that should do the trick

 

[DMentdEnt]

If the latex is going over, only to be peeled off later will it matter? I have also recently have someone tell me to use a wet clay. This is ALL new to me, I just did the duct tape thing to see what the hands SHOULD look like. Should I cover and smooth them out with clay, then latex them?

I also want to make sure it's a thick latex pull. I was on the set of the original 2 ninja turtle films, and those suits were made from foam latex, and kind of felt like a nerf football...

 

[Dericrw]

There are several different approaches that you are talking about.

If you want movie like foam latex that requires molding and casting......not a budget build.
Anything with clay or plaster is what may be used to get a piece ready for molding. It's not wearable on its own.

So for a budget build follow EOS recommendation. The latex will not be peeled off. Everything you use to build the piece will later be worn. That is why you use olnly flexible materials.

Hope this helps!

 

[DMentdEnt]

ok here is what I am attempting to do...it may be wrong, but I am going to give it a shot....

I made the duct tape casts and I am going to fill them with spray foam for depth.

I just bought Polyform modeling clay...I am going to cover the duct tape arms and smooth everything out and wait for t to dry once I am satisfied with the look.

from there I will cover the dried clay arm with vaseline then cover it with latex in hopes that it will peel off safely....then I will work on the paint. It MAY work, it MAY not...trial and error....

 

[TVsRobLowe]

When the latex is removed, what will you put on your arms to fill the gap between your arms and the latex?

 

[EyeofSauron]

im pretty sure youre misunderstanding the process of latex costume making. you will lose all detail you made with the clay, if you cover it up with latex.

if you only use 2 or 3 layers of latex, it will rip, so that wont help you
for reference, a standard custom bald cap takes 8 layers. and its still thin.

if you want to do it this way, model it in clay, mold it, and then cast it on foam latex.
thats your only other option than the one i suggested earlier.

 

[DMentdEnt]

I have an idea of how I am going to do this....if it works, great, if not, then I will try something new. The duct tape cast filled with foam is just to give me a base to built the clay model since I have no sculpting skills whatsoever to be able to just make it from the clay alone. Once it hardens, I will have a straight up solid arm. Once the arm is solid and primed....I plan to vaseline it up, and put as many layers or either liquid latex, silicone, or latex foax as needed to turn it into a GLOVE.

As far as the other guys question...it won't matter...that part of it will be covered with the elbow pad and from the elbow up, chest, and other arm/legs will be my latex covered mr incredible suit

im pretty sure youre misunderstanding the process of latex costume making. you will lose all detail you made with the clay, if you cover it up with latex.

if you only use 2 or 3 layers of latex, it will rip, so that wont help you
for reference, a standard custom bald cap takes 8 layers. and its still thin.

if you want to do it this way, model it in clay, mold it, and then cast it on foam latex.
thats your only other option than the one i suggested earlier.

 

[DMentdEnt]

When the latex is removed, what will you put on your arms to fill the gap between your arms and the latex?

thin sponge like foam will line the inside

 

[M16]

check out my old build man, i did michaelangelo and it maybe cost me 250.

 

[DMentdEnt]

I saw yours and i thought it was pretty cool!

check out my old build man, i did michaelangelo and it maybe cost me 250.

 

[DMentdEnt]

I think I am going to take your advice on the first thing...cover it with thin foam, coat it with latex and paint it. I will definitely have to start the process over because I will need to be able to get my hands back into it, and I cant do that with this duct tape hands.

I think I will however still fill the duct tape hands with foam, cover it and make detail with clay...then work on a two part mold later on as it will be a more complicated project...thanks for your advice...I will definitely let everyone know how both attempts come out

im pretty sure youre misunderstanding the process of latex costume making. you will lose all detail you made with the clay, if you cover it up with latex.

if you only use 2 or 3 layers of latex, it will rip, so that wont help you
for reference, a standard custom bald cap takes 8 layers. and its still thin.

if you want to do it this way, model it in clay, mold it, and then cast it on foam latex.
thats your only other option than the one i suggested earlier.