XRobots Iron Man: Video added page 22, fours years into 4 mins

[Graphic Jordan]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Hey Tom,

Xrobot is using a material completely different than any of the foam we have used in our suits previously... it is non porous and smooth as a babies bum. He uses PVA.. aka White Glue to seal the surface before priming... I am not so sure it would be the best bet for your material or even the material I used in my build.

Check out minicell l200. I have some on order. Same stuff that Don Roberts uses.

This is amazing! I'm having a go with making my own and i'm curious about you using plain PVA. can your directly paint this? I have heard members from the US talking about Rosco Flexbond, but me been an englishman, PVA is far more accessible and I have tons at work!

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

It's not completely non-porous, I can soak up water if I squeeze it under a tap - although most of it runs off. The PVA has to stick to it so it has to soak in a little and you can see small pin holes in the surface as you cover it, they get fewer and fewer as you add more coats of PVA.

 

[AsgardAssassin]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

I am going to try a test patch as my foam material is really smooth, but not necessarily the same as XRobots. I have loads of this stuff in 5L tubs at work! If it works, then it saves me some money!

XRobots, your work is insane, how did you get the detail you have on the bicep? Is there two layers of foam on it to create definition?

 

[Graphic Jordan]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

He did it the same way I got all the detail on my bicep. We both used ROBO pep files and modified them for foam application. A bit of creativity, thinking outside the box and layering/stepping of foam.

I am going to try a test patch as my foam material is really smooth, but not necessarily the same as XRobots. I have loads of this stuff in 5L tubs at work! If it works, then it saves me some money!

XRobots, your work is insane, how did you get the detail you have on the bicep? Is there two layers of foam on it to create definition?

 

[AsgardAssassin]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

He did it the same way I got all the detail on my bicep. We both used ROBO pep files and modified them for foam application. A bit of creativity, thinking outside the box and layering/stepping of foam.

I think I'm gonna have to look at ROBO's pep files. I have been freehanding mine from reference pictures of the armour etc. up to press.

The work you two guys have done is insane!

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Correct - it's just gaps in one layer and some more foam behind it. Obviously foam is thicker than paper so you don't need to cut the 'edge' parts / thin strips to make steps.

For some of those details though, like the slot in the front of the thigh, I used thick card / mounting board which has also been sealed with PVA with the rest. This also helps keep those parts flat because it's more rigid than foam.

 

[VitaminZinc]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Very interesting and awesome. I'd have never thought of using foam. Good job! Can't wait to see it finished.

Also, between a rigid and a foam suit--I'd go with whichever one is the coolest (temp wise). =P

 

[AsgardAssassin]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Correct - it's just gaps in one layer and some more foam behind it. Obviously foam is thicker than paper so you don't need to cut the 'edge' parts / thin strips to make steps.

For some of those details though, like the slot in the front of the thigh, I used thick card / mounting board which has also been sealed with PVA with the rest. This also helps keep those parts flat because it's more rigid than foam.

Right, I thought it looked that way.

With the PVA, do you apply it neat or dilute it at all?

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Right, I thought it looked that way.

With the PVA, do you apply it neat or dilute it at all?

Neat, but it's cheap PVA (£ 7 GBP for a 5 litre/gallon bottle), so I don't know how that compares with branded wood glue for instance.

 

[izabel]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

awesome work!

 

[keikeo]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

i really like this method. i think that after im done doing my Mk. V suit that i will start on a Mk. VI one from mats. if you guys wanna see my thread that had died for some reason on my Mk. V here it is: http://www.therpf.com/f24/iron-man-mark-v-build-pic-heavy-91202/

 

[Graphic Jordan]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Any updates?

i really like this method. i think that after im done doing my Mk. V suit that i will start on a Mk. VI one from mats. if you guys wanna see my thread that had died for some reason on my Mk. V here it is: http://www.therpf.com/f24/iron-man-mark-v-build-pic-heavy-91202/

 

[keikeo]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

ive just had some time to start back up but no i havent got any updates right now to show y'all but i am having some trouble with the rivets and them popping through my plastic.

 

[Amish Trooper]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Gotta admit I would not have known that was foam unless you would have told me. Great job so far

 

[AsgardAssassin]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Mr XRobots
How long did you give it between PVA coats?

 

[VinceClortho]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Out of curiosity, how did you apply the PVA? At least from the Photos the coats look pretty even but the PVA i used until today generally are not that thin to spread that evenly ...

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

The PVA was dry - until it was clear before applying the next coat. I used a brush to apply it. You can see some brush marks in it, so I guess you could try a couple of coats of water and PVA sponged on or something so try and smooth it out.

 

[robo3687]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

how in the blue hell did i not find this until now?...lol

this looks great and I can't wait to see some more.....

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Hi Robo, thanks for the Pep files btw, most of the projects wouldn't be the same without them.

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Thought I'd throw some paint at it:

There are quite a few imperfections, but then it is foam. I also made a mould from this piece and I'll be casting a Polyurethane plastic version in the next few days which can be cleaned up, so that one should turn out a lot better.