My Iron Man FOAM build (Mark IV)
- Thread starter IronManiac
- Start date
isusuperman
Active Member
that is lookin really good. I love the shins.
and that starscream is covered with spandex.
and that starscream is covered with spandex.
IronManiac
Sr Member
Thanks for all the compliments guys (and girls?)!
I'm going to post up some in-progress pics of my shoes tonight, I was having trouble with them earlier in the build, but i've got it figured out now and i think they're going to turn out great.
I'm going to post up some in-progress pics of my shoes tonight, I was having trouble with them earlier in the build, but i've got it figured out now and i think they're going to turn out great.
MisoHornKnee
New Member
That looks great man! I'll be using it as a reference for the legs. I'm starting on those today 
IronManiac
Sr Member
Boots!
These were a fun little project. I built them at the same time, rather than one after the other. It made for good symmetry. There's nothing under the shoe, these fit over the shoe like a cover. i'm going to run a strip of elastic across the underside of the boot. it will wrap around the sole of the shoe and keep the foam boot from flying loose from the shoe.
Next up is the pieces between the boot and the calf.
These were a fun little project. I built them at the same time, rather than one after the other. It made for good symmetry. There's nothing under the shoe, these fit over the shoe like a cover. i'm going to run a strip of elastic across the underside of the boot. it will wrap around the sole of the shoe and keep the foam boot from flying loose from the shoe.
Next up is the pieces between the boot and the calf.
Wow looks amazing! That's also a great idea for the shoes. I wanted to do something similar but didn't know how to attach it to my shoe without ruining the shoe.
If you have to walk long distances outside, you might also want to consider putting the elastic band around your foot then putting your foot inside the shoe (so the band doesn't get torn up while you're walking).
If you have to walk long distances outside, you might also want to consider putting the elastic band around your foot then putting your foot inside the shoe (so the band doesn't get torn up while you're walking).
MisoHornKnee
New Member
Boots look great!
That's a good idea from aoifrost but the boot would move around the shoe still. I was planning on buying a cheap pair of shoes from like Walmart or something and glue the foam to the shoe lol.
That's a good idea from aoifrost but the boot would move around the shoe still. I was planning on buying a cheap pair of shoes from like Walmart or something and glue the foam to the shoe lol.
IronManiac
Sr Member
Good thought on the elastic. I plan on wrapping it under the instep of the shoe, the part in the middle that's raised and doesnt really touch the ground. But if i decide to take it to a Con and will be on my feet all day, i'll definitely do something inside the shoe.
I'm happy with how they came out, they're not perfectly accurate, but i think they work, and they don't interfere with my walking. I'm building the ankle pieces right now, the piece that goes between the calf and the top of the shoe.
Miso,
These are $20 shoes from Academy. and they actually don't move around inside at all. the foam is rigid enough to stay in place. I started with the bottom of the boot. i built it really close to the size of the shoe, then built upwards from there, till the pieces met at the mouth of the shoe. I just slide it onto the shoe and it stays in place, the elastic will just make sure it doesnt ever flop around if my feet get moving fast, like going up stairs.
Gotta make sure you use small shoes on your feet. I thought about buying some CROCS and attaching it directly to the shoes. But CROC sandals are so wide, foam on top would have made my feet really wide looking. I would have looked like an Iron Duck.
I'm happy with how they came out, they're not perfectly accurate, but i think they work, and they don't interfere with my walking. I'm building the ankle pieces right now, the piece that goes between the calf and the top of the shoe.
Miso,
These are $20 shoes from Academy. and they actually don't move around inside at all. the foam is rigid enough to stay in place. I started with the bottom of the boot. i built it really close to the size of the shoe, then built upwards from there, till the pieces met at the mouth of the shoe. I just slide it onto the shoe and it stays in place, the elastic will just make sure it doesnt ever flop around if my feet get moving fast, like going up stairs.
Gotta make sure you use small shoes on your feet. I thought about buying some CROCS and attaching it directly to the shoes. But CROC sandals are so wide, foam on top would have made my feet really wide looking. I would have looked like an Iron Duck.
cavedwellar
Sr Member
As a big fan of the camping mats, this is a really great project!
Corsairgryl
Member
I have also been following this awesome build & I have obtained a roll of camping foam, cut off several small pieces and am doing a test of sealers. Modpodge-Goop-Beacon 527 Glue-Crafters Glue& Cabo Patch, soon as I get to the store I'll try latex paint as well there's got to be something besides the Flexbond(I hope)
IronManiac
Sr Member
Post up your results in this thread, Corsair, i'm really interested to hear what other types of sealer work.
Corsairgryl
Member
here is what I got so far:
Failures were "527 Multi-Use Glue" Crafters Pick Ultimate Glue" & ModPodge Gloss
You can see after drying they were easily pulled off the foam
here's Cabo patch & Goop
both had a good bond and could not pull off but would need several coats to get smooth, cost could be a factor
Liquitex gesso & Liquitex modeling paste
both bonded well, gesso would need more coats and they both flex great
I am concerned on how well the modeling paste would hold up though it could be sealed, anyway here is from left to right gesso/ un-sanded model paste/ plasti dip
( all have 2 coats)
I will continue to test as I follow the thread and post as I find new stuff to try
IronManiac
Sr Member
Wow, that's good research. Thanks, Corsair!
I got my flexbond and did some testing on a sample piece of foam.
Duplicolor Barcelona Red Metallic and a Rustoleum Gold. You can see, the flexbond doesnt do much to smooth out the foam texture. I did another piece with 3 coats of flexbond to see if that helped. I does help some, but not alot, it's still pretty bumpy. I don't think i'll mind once the whole suit is painted, but the more coats of flexbond you put down the smoother the foam is.
My plan is to coat the entire suit once in flexbond and see how much i have left in the jug. If i have alot, i'll apply another coat to the whole suit, but if i've used up most of it, i'll recoat the gold parts of the suit to get them looking smoother. I've noticed that the gold still rubs off if i run my thumb across it, so I'll probably recoat the gold sections with an additional coat of flexbond after the gold paint dries. It will help tone down the blingy gold, and give it an extra sealant.
I got my flexbond and did some testing on a sample piece of foam.
Duplicolor Barcelona Red Metallic and a Rustoleum Gold. You can see, the flexbond doesnt do much to smooth out the foam texture. I did another piece with 3 coats of flexbond to see if that helped. I does help some, but not alot, it's still pretty bumpy. I don't think i'll mind once the whole suit is painted, but the more coats of flexbond you put down the smoother the foam is.
My plan is to coat the entire suit once in flexbond and see how much i have left in the jug. If i have alot, i'll apply another coat to the whole suit, but if i've used up most of it, i'll recoat the gold parts of the suit to get them looking smoother. I've noticed that the gold still rubs off if i run my thumb across it, so I'll probably recoat the gold sections with an additional coat of flexbond after the gold paint dries. It will help tone down the blingy gold, and give it an extra sealant.
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Mod Podge works great and doesn't have the results you got Corsair. Adrian. I bought literally the same two colors and brands of paint as you! LOL
Rikarus
Sr Member
Yo IM,I am messing around with spray can plasti-dip right now on my MI armor to see how thick is has to be layed on, I'll shoot you a note if I figure a way to use it to smooth, I have noticed that it stays very flexible and bends well with the foam.
Keep up the good work you stuff is looking awesome!
Keep up the good work you stuff is looking awesome!
MisoHornKnee
New Member
The colors look great! I'm probably going to end up using those as I've used Rustoleum gold on my motorcycle rims already
Would a self-etch primer or any spray can primer help to smooth out the foam?
Would a self-etch primer or any spray can primer help to smooth out the foam?
Plastidip looks similar to the results you got using Flexbond, IronManiac. I also put some Rustoleum Gold and Silver and the shininess brings out the porosity of the foam. The plastidip+spraypaint combo is also flexible and I haven't experienced any cracking when bending the parts a lot.
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