KRITIK4L M4SS
New Member
Greetings, all. I've been a lurker of the 405th for a few years now and, after many failed starts, have finally put some effort into a real costume. I opted for a Bandit Psycho from Borderlands after I realized I was being far too ambitious with my previous projects. In any case, with some real work done, and the end in sight, I thought I'd share this project with everyone else.
For reference check this out.
While not my first attempt at pepakura, this is the first time I managed to stick with it beyond applying resin, so if you've anything to recommend that would make the project easier or produce a better result feel free to let me know.
I started as I imagine most projects start, with a printer and some card stock; this is definitely my favorite part. I used a drop of super glue to secure the tabs, for which I used a ruler and a couple of ball-point pens to get nice and sharp, though it occurred to me afterward that that may not have been the best plan as it just meant more sanding of a piece that was designed to be rounded.
After the pep was done it was off to the store for fibreglassing supplies!
I applied a total of three coats of fibreglassing resin on to the paper, both inside and outside for structural integrity.
I figured now was a good time for a test-fit before I made too much progress in the wrong direction. Luckily it fits pretty darn well.
My intent was to apply a layer of rondo (I used a 50/50 blend of bondo body filler and bondo fibreglassing resin, as seems to be the accepted ratio around the internet, with an appropriate amount of resin hardener), then do another layer of rondo and fibreglass. After the first layer, however, I discovered how heavy it was really going to be, and how tough it was already, and decided to forgo the fibreglass for pure rondo. It turned out to be just fine that way.
With that part complete it was time for some sanding to get things a bit more even and certainly less angular. I threw down a coat of grey primer before getting started to try and highlight the areas I should focus on.
I did all of my sanding my hand, occasionally with a foam sanding block, beginning with a 60 grit and moving through a 220 grit sandpaper. It's very smooth, I've decided to stretch a piece of cloth over the face, however, so a fair amount of my sanding was for naught.
With the basic shape taking form I moved on to spreading some bondo into low points to fill in some of the protuberances, as well as to achieve greater symmetry, followed my a little glazing putty to get the last of the pin holes.
I'm not sure if I should have done this part earlier, but I didn't want to have to apply rondo around the holes so I waited to cut then out until this point. I removed these sections with a borrowed rotary tool and it made life much more simple; I'll definitely be purchasing one before my next project.
Some grey primer to give me a better look at its current state.
That's it for now, but I'll be finishing it this week, as I have to have it ready for Freak Night 2011 (WARNING: The website will play music!). I'll leave you with a parting hint of the rest of the ensemble, but keep an eye out for the rest of the build in the next couple of weeks.
For reference check this out.
While not my first attempt at pepakura, this is the first time I managed to stick with it beyond applying resin, so if you've anything to recommend that would make the project easier or produce a better result feel free to let me know.
I started as I imagine most projects start, with a printer and some card stock; this is definitely my favorite part. I used a drop of super glue to secure the tabs, for which I used a ruler and a couple of ball-point pens to get nice and sharp, though it occurred to me afterward that that may not have been the best plan as it just meant more sanding of a piece that was designed to be rounded.
After the pep was done it was off to the store for fibreglassing supplies!
I applied a total of three coats of fibreglassing resin on to the paper, both inside and outside for structural integrity.
I figured now was a good time for a test-fit before I made too much progress in the wrong direction. Luckily it fits pretty darn well.
My intent was to apply a layer of rondo (I used a 50/50 blend of bondo body filler and bondo fibreglassing resin, as seems to be the accepted ratio around the internet, with an appropriate amount of resin hardener), then do another layer of rondo and fibreglass. After the first layer, however, I discovered how heavy it was really going to be, and how tough it was already, and decided to forgo the fibreglass for pure rondo. It turned out to be just fine that way.
With that part complete it was time for some sanding to get things a bit more even and certainly less angular. I threw down a coat of grey primer before getting started to try and highlight the areas I should focus on.
I did all of my sanding my hand, occasionally with a foam sanding block, beginning with a 60 grit and moving through a 220 grit sandpaper. It's very smooth, I've decided to stretch a piece of cloth over the face, however, so a fair amount of my sanding was for naught.
With the basic shape taking form I moved on to spreading some bondo into low points to fill in some of the protuberances, as well as to achieve greater symmetry, followed my a little glazing putty to get the last of the pin holes.
I'm not sure if I should have done this part earlier, but I didn't want to have to apply rondo around the holes so I waited to cut then out until this point. I removed these sections with a borrowed rotary tool and it made life much more simple; I'll definitely be purchasing one before my next project.
Some grey primer to give me a better look at its current state.
That's it for now, but I'll be finishing it this week, as I have to have it ready for Freak Night 2011 (WARNING: The website will play music!). I'll leave you with a parting hint of the rest of the ensemble, but keep an eye out for the rest of the build in the next couple of weeks.
