Sean Anwalt's Mk V build

[Sean Anwalt]

I got a good coating of clear coat on the decals on the chest, and it looks pretty good. The forearms need a little bit of adjusting, which means I need to go through and touch up some of the seams and make sure they fit properly, and have begun working on the thighs. With any luck, I'll be finishing those on Saturday, and intend to then fill in the seams in the belt and forearms and thighs.

WOOT WOOT WOOT!!!!

I am excited. Been a long time since I've been close to finishing something like this. Maybe mine will look as good as TurboCharizard's suit! haha. Or PerniciousDuke's! Either of their suits look fantastic.

Been toying with the idea of recreating the chest and backpack... I'm not unhappy with mine, but I feel like I could do better, you know? I dunno.... We'll see how the checkbook looks when I'm finished.

Been thinking about magnetic holsters for sidearms and weapons..... In reality, I think that's a stupid thing to do, but for a video game cosplay I might be able to work something out. The way I see it, if I can get a rare earth magnet system to hold a Glock or Smith and Wesson, it'll definitely hold a lighter handgun prop, right? I'm kinda interested to see what happens...

 

[TurboCharizard]

I got a good coating of clear coat on the decals on the chest, and it looks pretty good. The forearms need a little bit of adjusting, which means I need to go through and touch up some of the seams and make sure they fit properly, and have begun working on the thighs. With any luck, I'll be finishing those on Saturday, and intend to then fill in the seams in the belt and forearms and thighs.

WOOT WOOT WOOT!!!!

I am excited. Been a long time since I've been close to finishing something like this. Maybe mine will look as good as TurboCharizard's suit! haha. Or PerniciousDuke's! Either of their suits look fantastic.

Been toying with the idea of recreating the chest and backpack... I'm not unhappy with mine, but I feel like I could do better, you know? I dunno.... We'll see how the checkbook looks when I'm finished.

Been thinking about magnetic holsters for sidearms and weapons..... In reality, I think that's a stupid thing to do, but for a video game cosplay I might be able to work something out. The way I see it, if I can get a rare earth magnet system to hold a Glock or Smith and Wesson, it'll definitely hold a lighter handgun prop, right? I'm kinda interested to see what happens...

Yours will probably look nicer than mine. I'm just a potato with a Canadian flag on the arm.

 

[Dirtdives2424]

I'm just a potato with a Canadian flag on the arm.

But a cool one.....

 

[Sean Anwalt]

I am beginning to get a lot more motivated now that I've started the thighs! Big pieces and simple details? That sounds like a job for me!

I thought about putting that center cut out piece in upside down to expose the texture, but for some reason decided against it. But either way, I liked constructing these parts.

I'll get these assembled, and then I'll really be rolling!

 

[Zackurai]

That's nice foam craftsmanship, and for your decals you put them on and then clear coat them? Just want to know for sure

 

[Sean Anwalt]

That's nice foam craftsmanship, and for your decals you put them on and then clear coat them? Just want to know for sure

Yeah. Make sure your undercoat is clean and smooth, then be super careful about putting the decals on. You will get better results usually (depending on the kind of decal) with glossy paint underneath. Once they're on and dry, with no air bubbles or distortions, you'll want to get a food coat of matte finish. That will get rid of the gloss and sit the decal right down where you want it.

Like that.

Hmm. Those cracks are why it's best not to use mod podge I guess

 

[geijin]

I am beginning to get a lot more motivated now that I've started the thighs! Big pieces and simple details? That sounds like a job for me!!

I have that same feeling all the time. Especially with pep helmets. Some of those little details take forever and drain my motivation.

 

[Zackurai]

Yeah. Make sure your undercoat is clean and smooth, then be super careful about putting the decals on. You will get better results usually (depending on the kind of decal) with glossy paint underneath. Once they're on and dry, with no air bubbles or distortions, you'll want to get a food coat of matte finish. That will get rid of the gloss and sit the decal right down where you want it.

View attachment 259061
Like that.

Hmm. Those cracks are why it's best not to use mod podge I guess

Thank you! I love the decal, I was going to paint them on but then I saw your decal and was like to hell with that, decals for the win, thanks again

 

[Sean Anwalt]

Thighs = foamed. Next is to fill in the seams and little holes and then seal and paint.

 

[Sean Anwalt]

UPDATE: The thighs are painted! Yay!

Going to paint the black parts when I get home from work. Will also be attaching clips to the belt and getting that painted as well. Then I can strap the thighs to the belt.

 

[Zackurai]

Mmmmm look at those legs, attention to detail as always, I spent my day attempting to make the softcase on mine, got the base plate done

 

[Shade88]

Very nice job on your suit so far. I never could get the foam thing to work.

 

[Beemo8bit]

May I ask what you used for the top coat? I'm worried about getting the right sort of sheen to the armour - I don't want it too shiny, and yours looks ideal.

 

[Sean Anwalt]

Very nice job on your suit so far. I never could get the foam thing to work.

Foam is definitely one of those things that takes some getting used to. I started with the chest and I shouldn't have, because I made a lot of mistakes. I think now, knowing what I do know, I am going to rebuild the chest.

Anyway, don't get discouraged, it'll come with practice. That's what this site is all about!

May I ask what you used for the top coat? I'm worried about getting the right sort of sheen to the armour - I don't want it too shiny, and yours looks ideal.

Haha that is just a coat of Krylon Italian sage or something. I haven't actually put the final clear coat on it, yet, because I intend to put a red stripe on it somewhere. If you are interested in "kind of a sheen, but not really", I recommend and am a huge fan of satin finishes. They are not matte, but not glossy, either.

Here's what it looks like, now that I've got it two- toned:

 

[Sean Anwalt]

Started the shoes. Shins will
Just have to wait.
This piece was fun:

This piece wans't really fun, but it's exciting:

I get to practice my bevels, now, haha.

Anyway, after reading through turbocharizard's thread, I'm going to start from the bottom and work my way up. Really have never liked the idea of making a shoe cover that connects front and back with elastic; it seems tacky. But a big ol' fat ol' board in thur bottom of my foot is also an unpleasant prospect. That means I get to experiment!

 

[Zackurai]

Looking good dude, you are my competition at the moment

 

[Sean Anwalt]

Looking good dude, you are my competition at the moment

Game on!
Hahaha

 

[TurboCharizard]

Looking good dude, you are my competition at the moment

There's competition?

 

[Sean Anwalt]

There's competition?

Not if it means I have to compete with you, no. Not ready for that... yet...

Each morning I try to give myself 30-45 minutes to work, and on my days off I get a few hours, so progress is slow, but here's what I got done this morning:

I did a great job with the bevels until I got to the very bottom there on the right... the stupid thing got cut too deep. This was only magnified by the heat sealing! AARRGGHH! BUT! That's something (I hope) that's easy to fix? and I'm not as worried about it as I should be. It is deeply frustrating, though. Gah!

The rest of the boot is looking ok so far. I actually really enjoyed putting this part together:

And a test fit over my shoe:

Obviously it'll sit a little higher and I still have more pieces to cut out, but this is getting exciting!

How does it look?

 

[Dirtdives2424]

It looks like a sneaker w/ some foam on it........