Calling out for foam builders (Painting advice)

By IRoiMan. 20/07/13, 08:20 am

Hi fellas,

Im currently working on an eva foam Ironman suit, and were stuck on how do i start painting it because i have no idea what material
am i going to use. I would like to get an idea what everyone is using and where they are getting them from?

At the moment, Im brushing every parts using a PVA glue (school glue) to make it shiny and also to make the foam sealed before painting it but
im not really sure if it's going to help.

Here's the photos of the chest, back and thighs. They are currently being brushed using white glue.
Calling out for foam builders (Painting advice) IMG_1323_zps985b09ca

Calling out for foam builders (Painting advice) IMG_1323_zps985b09ca

Anyway..... Any help would be greatly appreciated!

By Icarus. 20/07/13, 11:45 am

Ohwow! Your work looks amazing!

PVA glue is usually what I use just for craft foam, using about 2-3 coats of it. There's also Mod podge which you use in the same way, I guess it's thicker and seals better than PVA glue..?

but because you've got such large surfaces, you can try spray on primer instead. If the foam is still absorbing the paint then there's Plasti-dip spray, which is basically spray on plastic/rubber.

I usually give my stuff a basic coat of whatever colour with test pot paint from resene (any acrylic paints work just as well) then go over with 1-2 layers of spray paint, and finish up with a lacquer spray C:

By IRoiMan. 21/07/13, 03:04 pm

Thanks for the helpful advice Icarus. I dont know much about when it comes to painting part.

For the second step, which one would you recommend for me to use the primer or the plasti-dip?

By IRoiMan. 21/07/13, 03:59 pm

Here's the step im going to do -

1. apply layers of white glue about 5 coats.

2. Spray it with Plasti-dip black 2 coats

3. Pick color i want. Painting it.

4. Find a good finish product.

Did i miss something?

Please let me know. I also want to add some damage effect for this.

By slinky. 22/07/13, 11:18 am

YOOOO this is way impressive *A*

okay I guess the only thing I'd like to add is that painting + sealing on EVA foam does like to crack either with excessive amounts of movement while you're in the costume, or just gradually over time. This is not meant to discourage you, I just wanted to warn you it might happen 8'D

http://sta.sh/0nelunv7grp this is what happened to a piece of EVA foam armour I made a few months ago with the PVA, paint, then sealing method. This is why a lot of people would rather use wonderflex, worbla or sheets of styrene

Either way, what you have planned sounds good so far, and I can't wait to see the finished product!!

By Cookie Monster. 25/07/13, 04:29 pm

I'd recommend using Gesso or Modge Podge which has been watered down slightly for the first step, since you are probably aiming for a smooth metallic-like surface, as you can lightly sand it afterwards to get rid of the brush strokes (remember to always bush in the same direction!).
If you wish to still use PVA, water it down also (anywhere from 50/50 to 70(PVA)/30 depending on how think your glue is), as this will thin out the glue, making brush strokes more minimal

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