Weathering a Freddy Sweater?

[Doh2]

Sure, I'll be one of a gazillion Freddy Kruegers out there for Halloween this year, but what's a boy to do?

Anyway, I picked up a pristine Hot Topic sweater but now need to dirty it up. I know some folks use black spray paint to emulate scorch marks, but as an alternative, would liquid RIT in a spray bottle work? Or maybe India ink? And if I were to go that route, should the sweater be dry -- or perhaps damp?

I still have this sweater from 10 years ago, but it's way too thin:

Any suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks!

 

[Amadscientist]

Sure, I'll be one of a gazillion Freddy Kruegers out there for Halloween this year, but what's a boy to do?

Anyway, I picked up a pristine Hot Topic sweater but now need to dirty it up. I know some folks use black spray paint to emulate scorch marks, but as an alternative, would liquid RIT in a spray bottle work? Or maybe India ink? And if I were to go that route, should the sweater be dry -- or perhaps damp?

I still have this sweater from 10 years ago, but it's way too thin:

Any suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks!

OK...this is something I have experiance with.

Yes, the rit die in a spray bottle works. Follow directions and use as hot as possible and don't forget the salt.

But....that's not what I'd do. Please include an image of the sweater you are using and the information on the lable. Need to know what you are working with. Some fabrics do not take Rit dye.

Generaly speaking you would want to darken down the whole thing a bit with splotches. It's called Tea staining because usualy it's down with simple tea on white cotton to dull down the bright white. But with these colors you would want to darken down with a greyish black.

There are other destressing methods but I really need to see and know what your working with.

Mark

 

[Amadscientist]

 

[Amadscientist]

I can tell you right off, pick up some Fray Check or super glue. You'll need that to keep the shredding from fraying.

 

[GeektressGalore]

Here's how I would weather it: Take a lighter to it. Not enough for it to burst into flames, but just enough to sear. He was killed in a fire, after all.

Then take some sandpaper to it. This simulates years of wear and tear, and is only slightly tedious. Also, as Amadscientist said, get some Fray Check. You'll get the look you want, but at what a price. After a day you won't have a sweater anymore.

I also use dirt makeup to dirty costumes up. The makeup I use is Ben Nye, and has just enough oil to stain it if you use enough.

 

[Atarian]

I use black rit dye watered down in a spray bottle for my custom made sweater. works great for me.

(Various stages of weathering)

 

[Amadscientist]

I use black rit dye watered down in a spray bottle for my custom made sweater. works great for me.

(Various stages of weathering)

And it turned out superb!

I would drop the color down on the whole sweater to make it dirtier and keep the colors from looking fresh, but you have the right idea there.

 

[Doh2]

Wow, thanks for all the terrific advice!! The Hot Topic is 95% acrylic and 5% spandex. Should it be wet or dry when I apply the RIT?

Apparel | Halloween

 

[Amadscientist]

Wow, thanks for all the terrific advice!! The Hot Topic is 95% acrylic and 5% spandex. Should it be wet or dry when I apply the RIT?

Apparel | Halloween

Acrylic wont take RIT dye. Sorry.

 

[Amadscientist]

You will need to either decide if you wish to go the next level to professional dyes or just skip this and go back to the spraypaint idea. However I would suggest that a purchase of black acrylic paint thinned out with simple water will actualy do the same thing as the dye in a spray bottle, but may wash of a little at a time with washing (cold water only)

 

[Doh2]

Acrylic wont take RIT dye. Sorry.

Nooooooooo!

Thanks. Do you think India ink would stick? I could always do some tests...

By the way, I now have a killer silicone mask, "Furnace Freak" glove, and real fedora I still need to convert. So far, so good. I'll post pictures as things develop.

 

[Amadscientist]

Nooooooooo!

Thanks. Do you think India ink would stick? I could always do some tests...

By the way, I now have a killer silicone mask, "Furnace Freak" glove, and real fedora I still need to convert. So far, so good. I'll post pictures as things develop.

India ink sticks to everything I spill it on. LOL! Do a test of a small section in an unnoticable spot inside out first. Watered down.

 

[Amadscientist]

There are tricks you can do as well. I have used hair dye on Acrylic fabrics for destressing. Would work well for the spray method. But...understand that hair dye keeps reacting until rinsed so you will spray it and let it sit but it will have to be soaked in water and rinsed well before wearing. It's tricky so I only suggest it if you can afford another sweater if it fails epicly for ya.

 

[Doh2]

Thanks for the swift replies, Amadscientist -- much appreciated! I'll try ink on the inside first.

Atarian, is that the SPFX silicone mask? Very impressive!

Good night, fellers. I'll check back tomorrow...

 

[Atarian]

Atarian, is that the SPFX silicone mask? Very impressive!

Its actually 2 different spfx masks. Different paint jobs. I have since sold both and gotten new ones, sold those, upgraded, etc. it changes every year, lol.

 

[Mojo_Turbo]

I have been freddy multiple times and I think this is a GREAT weathering tutorial:

YouTube - Boba Fett Weathering Tutorial

and PS, I would not do blood splatter on anything

 

[Riceball]

You will need to either decide if you wish to go the next level to professional dyes or just skip this and go back to the spraypaint idea. However I would suggest that a purchase of black acrylic paint thinned out with simple water will actualy do the same thing as the dye in a spray bottle, but may wash of a little at a time with washing (cold water only)

I second the suggestion of using acrylic paint, I've found out (the hard way) that acrylic will stain pretty much anything (synthetic or organic) and once dry it's impossible to get out.

 

[Amadscientist]

I second the suggestion of using acrylic paint, I've found out (the hard way) that acrylic will stain pretty much anything (synthetic or organic) and once dry it's impossible to get out.

I think this may be the best idea.

 

[TK8309]

The way I weathered my brother's Fred sweater was to use actual ashes.
Just burn some wood, paper, whatever... and fill up a big bucket of it. Throw the sweater in there and mix it around.
If it doesn't stick, use very little water with the ashes, or spray some hairspray on the sweater before dumping it into the ashes.

The result is amazing and the biggest plus, just thát extra little touch when using actual ashes is, when folks get next to you,
to have their picture taken or stuff like that, your Freddy will actually smell like he's been through the fires of hell :love

My two cents.
Tom.

 

[Amadscientist]

Just a quick comment for all you Freddies and others distressing costumes. Please consider the use of such things as real dirt, make-up and other substances that rub off as strictly for film making or situations where you will not bump into someone else's pristine costume. I would hate to be in the room when you bump into the wrong person and leave a mark on something they spent time and money creating.