Help! - Strengthening folded peps

[quick221]

Hey 405th,
221 here, I'm planning to start an ODST build in two or three weeks (after my exams finish) and I was wondering if you guys had any tips. I'll give you all a run down of my plans:

I was going to build the chestplate and other associated pieces, shin-guards, shoulder pauldrons etc. (free-built back pieces unless you guys have hidden away peps for that) made with peps from the costuming wiki's database. Now, here's my problem: What should I do to strengthen the folded (and glued) pep?


Regards, 221

P.S. I need the suit around winter (summer in the nrth hemisphere) for the Armageddon Expo in the part of NZ I live in.

 

[realmasterchief]

I believe there is only two choices... Polyester/epoxi resin or aqua resin.

im sure someone else will correct me if I'm wrong but iv not seen it done any other way

 

[FoxtrotZero]

The first thing generally done to a pepakura model is to coat it with a thin layer of fiberglass resin - just resin, and just enough to soak into the cardstock. One layer is a start, but I understand that two or three gives more strength.

From there, people generally reinforce the interior with either fiberglass cloth or rondo (which is a mixture of resin and bondo, both items you'll have for this process).

I'm going with fiberglass, because I have some already, and because it's lighter, but I'm told it can be a little more frustrating (and I have matting instead of cloth, which doesn't help). Rondo is probably easier and cleaner, but it's a bit heavier, and if you mess up you might get some solid pools (which are either in your way, or will at least throw the weight balance off).

 

[quick221]

but iv not seen it done any other way

Thanks, so have I.

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Thanks. I'll keep this in mind.