I may have laughed a bit too loudly at "Nothing's more corrosive than body sweat". You're work is gorgeous. You're giving years worth of proven tips, and in turn, making the beginners of today that much more confident in what they can achieve with a little research. So, thank you. I'll be using your advice to recreate the armor from a video game character.
This video and the prior two have been so instrumental in answering questions I had about how to handle this type of project. Now that I’ve entered this wonderful world of Cosplay, your vids have pointed this newbie in a straight direction. So much so that my daughters are waiting for my project to be done so I can start on theirs. As I told you in your other vid posts, I’m headed to the golden age of 50 this year and I couldn’t think of a better way to experience my midlife crisis. I’m slowly working on my creation and when it’s done, you Sir Evil Ted will be the first to view it. Thanks man, I couldn’t have thought of doing anything like this without the help you have bestowed us, and to the other artist you have pointed out to help as well. Anticipating the conclusion of this series, and eagerly await the next.
Michael Fernandez Thank you for your kind words Michael. I'm so glad that you are helping your daughters with costumes. That makes you the best Dad ever.
I am starting now and I am trying so hard to do things with my limited budge. but everytime I learn something new with your vídeos I get very excited to test it and improve my work. I'd say I wanna be as good as you someday
I can't believe how awesome all this is and how I didn't see rhis sooner. just a question . what do you use to clean the critter gun after spraying latex ??
This is absolutely amazing! Your 4 part tutorial is so helpful and packed with info and tips, and are great for novice cosplayers like myself. I did have a few questions: 1) What type of releaser did you use for the barge glue or Is it just any thinner releasing agent? (I realize that is more than one question already..) 2) If you don't have access to an airbrush gun would spray paint give a similar look? Or will it need the latex base before the spray paint coats to get that smooth finish? I would love to use the methods you present in this 4 part tutorial, but I don't really want to spend a lot on tools. Any additional info you could share would be greatly appreciated.
Super nice Video again! Thx very much, it is super helpful! May I ask two questions? First: Should the latex milk contain ammonia for stabilization or not? My already coloured milk has 3% - and I am afraid if airbrushing it might cause health damage. I buyed a full face breathing mask for it with filters against ammonia + particle filters. Fine or too much? Second: Did you ever have problems with latex cancer? I heard from the German LARP-guys, that Pattex (which should be more or less comparable to Barge or not? Since Barge is not available here...) can deteriorate the Latex... Thx so much :)
I second what Tabitha O’ Brien said. Your work is amazing, and you’re generosity in sharing what you know is inspiring. I’ve never tried making a costume or prop, but I sure would like to now. On think I’m curious about - I’m betting that stuff like foam and latex really encourages the very body sweat that is so corrosive to these costumes. Would it be possible to give them more breathability for the wearer? Maybe by drilling tiny holes through the costume? Or would that just cause further weak points that could decrease the life of the costume?
Would you (or anyone) recommend spraying Super 77 on foam before coating it with Plasti-Dip? When I've used Plasti-Dip before, it had a tendency to peal off in some areas. Seeing as the Super 77 helped prevent that with the latex, I would hope it would have a similar effect.
This is such a great tutorial! You mention using an adhesive/tacky substance for the latex to adhere to the foam with--would you need to go super industrial with super 77 or could you substitute with something as simple as modge podge?
Evil Ted Smith your latex spray job looks so clean and smooth! My spray results keep looking looking really rough, where the latex is balling up on the surface making it look like 60 grit sandpaper. Any suggestions? Please help meh! I notice my critter gun is not spraying as nice and wide of a pattern as yours, I have the same gun am spraying at 30 psi and my spray pattern is like 2.5 inches wide when sprayed at 6 inches away from surface, are you thinning the latex substantially?
I use ballon rubber latex. I like it because its really thin and its spray easy. If you're using slip cast latex, it's a thicker than I like. That's why I think you're getting the rough finish.
Hello, i am new to this and still learning. This is d first time i saw how to make those armor, and i love it so much, thank you for posting this video.. can you make a video tutorial on how to make allen walker's hand, i am trying to help my son to make his costume and he wanted to make Allen Walker's hand.. please..
Ah I wish I had seen your tutorials before I attempted my rescue suit, needless to say it was a complete disaster! Once my confidence is back up I'll have another go at it! :D Thank you so much for such informative tutorials. I do have a question though, I only have eva foam (10 mm I believe) is there a difference to the one you use do you recommend the type of foam you use?
I'm planning on doing Sergeant Calhoun from Wreck-It-Ralph. I know that I'm going to use this for her cosplay. Now, you keep talking about barge cement, but would rubber cement work also, or does it have to be barge cement? Thanks so much
Thanks for doing tutorials. Love your work! Can we use spray plastic (plastidip?) for the whole piece? I have a sensitivity to Latex and now wear Nitrile gloves while working (in surgery). I am worried about wearing a piece for hours with Latex. I am brand new at this and don't even know the lingo. Thanks in advance...
As much as i'd like to make foam armor like this I know that I can't because it is expensive and I only have thin craft foam so I can only make gauntlets and things like that. Its funny how if you teach a child art and get them into stuff like this, they will never have enough money for drugs XD
It's not that pricey. In know in CDN a roll of foam with the same thickness is under 20 at our home stores, like Canadian Tire and such. :/ Obviously I don'r know your budget, but just inputting :3
Ted your videos are just great. There is just one question that wasn't clearly answered up to now: How durable is the foam breast plate or the helmet? What about reinforcement with e.g. Worbla or Wonderflex, or does PlastiDip / silicone do the reinforcement job? Maybe that's a topic on its own in a future video, depending on where you want to wear the props i.e. (Convention, Independent Film Set, Larp etc) Looking forward to the next video Cheers P.S. Just found something called StyroSpray 1000 which is a two component hard plastic coating. Sounds interesting but hard to get in Europe
Would rubber cement work in place of the liquid latex? I'm allergic to latex and I'd really rather not have rashes while walking around and sweating, but silicone rubber is super expensive too, and it's also only sold in big tubs (which I really don't need all of). Thank you for such an awesome video series!!!
Hey I'm not sure if you still check comments on your old videos but I just found your videos about how to make female armor. This is extremely helpful I'm still very new to creating and building cosplay's. I have a convention coming up and I decided that I actually wanted to make a cosplay for this instead of going in plain clothes. The cosplay I want to make is a form of full body armor and I thought it would be simple but watching all these tutorials it's slowly getting more intense and intricate. If you could and you have time I would really appreciate it if you could maybe help me a bit. Maybe I am being to ambitious for my first time making armor but I really would love to make an erza scarlet flame empress armor for this up coming convention! So I would love if you could get back to me if you have time.
Fantastic vid, Ted. As always! Quick question: When sealing the edges and seams on the back of the piece, would there be a reason not to seal the whole back of the piece, other than not wasting materials on something which would make very little difference? I play hockey and I can attest that human sweat definitely eats away at glued EVA foam (not to mention making it rather stinky...) Would sealing the whole thing with latex on the back (with an undercoating of contact cement) help make the piece a little more durable where sweat is concerned, or would it just be a waste of material? Cheers Ted! Looking forward to more learning!
***** It would likely work. I've seen it used when making foam weapons for larp style events, so it should be able to handle some abuse: although I don't think it would be as durable as pure latex rubber. You likely wouldn't be able to get as thick of a buildup if you used the canned stuff.
HI. I notice you didn't spray Super 77 adhesive on the back side of the foam armor in between Barge cement layer & painted on Latex /balloon rubber layer. Should there be a tacky/sticky adhesive layer in between those 2 steps? Since body sweat eats away at all of these things, would it be a good idea to include a fabric lining/backing glued into the back side? My costumes would probably be worn for dancing in & we sweat. I'm wondering how many ways to keep it intact & last for a long time.
Awesome!! and excellent tutorials!!! Can't wait to see it finished!! *u* You'r tutorials are going to help me a lot for my next cosplay!! :D Thanks a lot!!! and keep that incredible work!!! :D Greetings from México!! :D
So, I watched the 'how to make male armor' first. I am planning to make a chest plate and paldrons for Guts from the anime "Berzerk" but instead of a male chest, I want to do a female chest. Can I ask why did you use latex for the female instead of the sealer you used for the male? Is there a specific reason. Or are you just demonstrating different ways of going about it? Thank you.
I live in an apartment and was wondering what type of compact air compressor one could use. Any help would be appreciated as i am looking at doing my first armor build for a convention in may.
Wood glue, PVA glue, etc all work. Though it can take more layers, typically 2 coats is what you are looking at. I do it this way myself because it's cheaper and we typically have Mod Podge laying around the house which is what I use. :)
I've been curious about this for a while, but how effective do you think Flex Seal would work compared to your latex spray layers? Flex seal is that rubber sealant that's supposed to fix pottery and leaks. My main concern is that it would eat up the foam.
Jessica McDowell You can also seal foam with Plastidip (you can find this at a automotive store), white glue (schoolglue) and woodglue. There are enough alternatives that you can use to seal foam ;)
Jessica McDowell Rubberized undercoat might work too. Its kinda like flex seal but cheaper and goes on thinner (which might be better for this kind of application)
Hi, sorry, someone could make me a short summary in text? I do not speak English, the other parties could understand only with images, but did not understand almost nothing here, can anyone help me? Thank you
That was like watching porn for me thanks XD By the way what kind of "base" spray can you recommend me for airbrushing a Mylar balloon ? Why ot with the 77 spray glue ? Your a magician !
