Buying craft/EVA foam

By underdog1. 19/05/12, 02:19 pm

I want to make my first costume out of craft/EVA foam (it's Gordon Freeman's HEV suit). However, I don't know where to get it, or how much it costs. I am in Christchurch if that helps.

Could someone show me either:
the address of a supplier
the link to a website that sells it at a reasonable price

By Highlander. 19/05/12, 03:48 pm

Three options. Para Rubber, which I'm not sure still exists in Christchurch?
The eco-depot in Blenheim road has giant sheets for like $2. No gaurentee on the quality of the foam.
http://www.foam.co.nz/ has a variety of foams including various EVA, and can cut to shape/supply part sheets/cut up for shipping, at extra cost I think?

By underdog1. 19/05/12, 04:29 pm

Foam.co.nz has foam called "EVA45". (Is that the same stuff cosplayers use?) They sell 1m by 2m sheets, which is a good size, but is only available in dark grey (only 1/2 colours I need)

Para rubber has a website, and they sell EVA foam in requested colours (is there a specific type cosplayers use?), but only in 2.3m by 1.3m sheets (2.99m squared), which is way too much for a single costume.

According to pararubber's site, their christchurch store is open: http://www.pararubber.co.nz/store.php

Is there any way to paint over EVA foam? (I imagine foam would absorb paint, and paint over bendable foam would crack with use, but EVA is listed as having 'minimal water absorption')

By Tails. 19/05/12, 04:39 pm

^ I've spray painted EVA foam before and it worked great. Although if you want you can seal the foam with PVA glue first to stop it from absorbing paint if you're worried about it :)

By Highlander. 19/05/12, 04:46 pm

EVA foam is closed cell, so not exactly solid. You have to seal it first (glue?). And then apply a surface if you need to after the sealer, sand if you need to. Then paint? I think?

I haven't used it, other people here have, so they could tell you specifics.

Also other plastic stores, like plastic box, etc,. also carry EVA foam or camping mats. Camping mats are smaller than 1x2m. But at $2 for 1-2m at the eco depot ... variable quality but worth checking.

By underdog1. 20/05/12, 02:56 pm

Gordon Harris has a product called "foamboard". Is that a viable option, or is it just like a canvas?

By Highlander. 20/05/12, 03:07 pm

Not sure. You could go to the shop and see/touch it.

By Tails. 20/05/12, 03:28 pm

underdog1 wrote:: Gordon Harris has a product called "foamboard". Is that a viable option, or is it just like a canvas?

Foam board is soft foam (like matress foam) wedged between 2 hard sheets of plastic. It's really useful as a base for making something sturdy without making it heavy, but it can't bend like EVA foam. The stuff I've used before was about 6mm wide as well, but I'm sure you can get it in different widths too.

By Mischa. 21/05/12, 02:33 am

Camping mats are great:
http://www.imagebam.com/image/b68502188151920
I used them to make these pauldrons - they took AGES to seal though!

By iwuvanime. 21/05/12, 10:20 am

This is an international site that sells it (as well as Plastazote, which is like the foam version wonderflex). Unfortunately you have to email them about international orders for the foam but in general their shipping costs are awesome compared to some other international sites.

http://www.coscraft.co.uk/en/3-plastics-and-foam

By Mischa. 21/05/12, 10:58 am

^ that is a cool link Very Happy

By Selphiroth. 22/06/12, 08:20 pm

Just a note, pool foams are almost impossible to paint or glue.

By vctrsone. 28/09/12, 09:00 pm

Ok well I looked and looked for an easy source for this and I found one.

Not sure if its as cheap as these others but its 1.2m for $20 which is enough to make an entire armoured suit. (hehehe yes im cooking something)

http://www.mitre10mega.co.nz/shop/automotive_garage/car_service_repairs/polytuf_4_piece_foam_floor_mat_set_black_118813/

So all mitre10 have it or can get it in for you pretty easily.

ok the other thing is check out this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb6CXGortrQ

that video inspired my current build...no more resin for me.

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