I have done a few tests with the decathlon mats.
1. apply resin to the mat and see if it will melt or hold up = doesn't melt the mat (maybe its just the resin I used as I can't confirm other resin will effect the mats) but you can peel the resin off once tried.
2. apply body filler to mat = just peels off like the resin.
3. apply rondo to mat = same as above, just peels off
4. Applied PVA glue then hit it with resin = works perfectly!! the resin has something to bite onto so it's alot harder to peel the resin off.
5. Same as above but with rondo, again the rondo doesn't peel off buy my mix might be wrong as the rondo still bends a little before snapping.
6. same as above, PVA, resin then body filler = workabit surface and you can sand but if you apply too much pressure then the resin and body filler will snap.
7. Paint the foam with ruber acrylic = the paint will flake off if you rub it
8. PVA then acrylic = Paints stays on and you can pretty much bend the foam anyway without paint cracking issues.....BUT acrylics are not water friendly so if you wear this and it rains then some colours may come off.
it's cheaper and easier to use decathlon mats but as you can see, they are slightly bumpy and most of the builds/amours requires a smooth/flat surface. Plastazote is the best mat I have use but it's expensive. so there is no real winner.
I have also tried to find a product in the UK that you can apply to the mats and it gives it a hard/smooth outer layer. no luck
If you guys know of such products then please let me know. OR if you can find a mat that is no as weak as the camping mats or as good as decathlon mats but without the bumps. Then please let me know
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I first got mine from thames valley but they are way over priced. 1 roll of 10mm plasta zote got me from helmet to abs including the arms
