DRG
Active Member
Re: Doc's foam/fiberglass work + Mark 42 helmet and Very detailed Chest
I'm going to start charting my tests and making notes of changes I'm making. Out of 12 or so different combinations of things, the only thing I've gotten to successfully flex without cracking is Elmers + Flexidip (Rustoleum version of Plastidip) + Krylon Gloss Cherry Red + SEM Clear Color Coat + Krylon Triple Glaze. Actually, it flexes before the Triple Glaze but without a shiny finish.
My Unsuccessful Tests
Mod Podge + Flexidip + Krylon Cherry Red + Krylon Triple Glaze
Mod Podge + Flexidip + Krylon Cherry Red + Duplicolor Inferno Red + Krylon Triple Glaze
Mod Podge + Flexidip + Duplicolor Adhesion promoter + Duplicolor Inferno Red + Krylon Triple Glaze
= All failed. Finish looked good on all, but cracked easily under the Glaze (which seemed to stay intact over the cracked paint at least) under even light pressure.
I did a few more tests with watered down Elmers and some combination of watered down Elmers and Mod Podge as the sealing layer. These all failed as well.
Then I started applying pure Elmers. This helped the flexibility and initial finish immensely, but still had failures.
Elmers + Flexidip + SEM Flexible primer + Duplicolor + SEM Clear
Elmers (scruffed) + SEM Flexible primer (scruffed) + Duplicolor + SEM Clear
= Both cracked, and surface was cloudy. Cracking wasn't as bad as the previous tests, and I had way too much Elmers on... the pieces barely flexed as is, so maybe I made them so thick any flexing would be catastrophic? May have to repeat these tests with adjustments.
I also did the grey flexible primer on my foam pieces and it didn't go well once I put the color on. When it comes to testing it for cracking apart, bending motion is inward/outward. Results I get outward just stretches no breaking and too much going inward gets wrinkles, but still no cracking.
so many trial and errors, but finally found what works for me.
steps
modpodge
white or black plasti dip (depending on the colors I'm using) spray can ver.
never really got to the last step with clear coat, but since I did the scrap piece.
I guess it will be the flexible color coat then use the regular coat to get the shiny look
I'm going to start charting my tests and making notes of changes I'm making. Out of 12 or so different combinations of things, the only thing I've gotten to successfully flex without cracking is Elmers + Flexidip (Rustoleum version of Plastidip) + Krylon Gloss Cherry Red + SEM Clear Color Coat + Krylon Triple Glaze. Actually, it flexes before the Triple Glaze but without a shiny finish.
My Unsuccessful Tests
Mod Podge + Flexidip + Krylon Cherry Red + Krylon Triple Glaze
Mod Podge + Flexidip + Krylon Cherry Red + Duplicolor Inferno Red + Krylon Triple Glaze
Mod Podge + Flexidip + Duplicolor Adhesion promoter + Duplicolor Inferno Red + Krylon Triple Glaze
= All failed. Finish looked good on all, but cracked easily under the Glaze (which seemed to stay intact over the cracked paint at least) under even light pressure.
I did a few more tests with watered down Elmers and some combination of watered down Elmers and Mod Podge as the sealing layer. These all failed as well.
Then I started applying pure Elmers. This helped the flexibility and initial finish immensely, but still had failures.
Elmers + Flexidip + SEM Flexible primer + Duplicolor + SEM Clear
Elmers (scruffed) + SEM Flexible primer (scruffed) + Duplicolor + SEM Clear
= Both cracked, and surface was cloudy. Cracking wasn't as bad as the previous tests, and I had way too much Elmers on... the pieces barely flexed as is, so maybe I made them so thick any flexing would be catastrophic? May have to repeat these tests with adjustments.