TUTORIAL: Finally a fiberglass replacment

[JakeTheSnake]

Really nice find. I might have to try this.

PS - What can I use to seal my helmet, so when I papier mache, it won't soften up and collapse. I tried to on flying squirl's size tester model for practice, and it collapsed. Is there a sealant I can use?

 

[AoBfrost]

A clear coat of paint itself should block out some liquid, otherwise, I cant think of anything else...

 

[Dark Rogue]

Don't they sell sealant in a spray can? =/

 

[Spartan 161]

Really nice find. I might have to try this.

PS - What can I use to seal my helmet, so when I papier mache, it won't soften up and collapse. I tried to on flying squirl's size tester model for practice, and it collapsed. Is there a sealant I can use?

bulls eye spray on shellac. I used it on a helmet for Spartan 857's helmet build. He did paper mache. It will seal and harden the card stock. Just takes several coats.

 

[AoBfrost]

Notice I said "fiberglass replacment" meaning the actual fiberglass, not resin, you can still use resin, and hot glue as a combo.

 

[lizander]

my varnished helmet is pretty hard, it may not be as hard as resin,
and takes a few coats but it does work. if you use the varnish, make sure you
don't make the paste too watery other wise it will warp. couldn't you just skip the resin/ varnish and just do a thin layer of hot glue instead?? was that already said??

 

[Dark Rogue]

I don't see why you couldn't although I don't know why you'd want to. Hot glue isn't as tough and durable as resin.

 

[tbail1989]

I don't see why you couldn't although I don't know why you'd want to. Hot glue isn't as tough and durable as resin.

Idk about the hot glue method, I think i will just stick with the fiberglass and resin.

 

[AoBfrost]

Idk about the hot glue method, I think i will just stick with the fiberglass and resin.

Idk why you posted.

Also, I wouldnt hot glue the outside, it would be strong, but not as smooth as resin, the outside would look clumpy and bad, unless your wanting to do the seems where peices of cardstock connect, then you could dab a bit and then use the tip of the glue gun to reheat the glue and smoothen it out, but in mass amounts and coating every inch of the outside, it's impossible for it to look nice. I'd stick with something we already use like resin, it's thin, hard and smooth, then inside, no ones cares what it looks like inside, thats where you use hotglue, although if you use a heatgun, it will look smooth on the inside.

 

[Spartan 161]

After giving your Idea some thought AoB I have something new to add. I used to work in a book bindery years ago. There is a processes called perfect bind. This is how paperbacks are made, if you look at the spine of a paperback that clearish looking glue that holds the pages in is perfect bind glue. Well this glue comes in a granular form looking like grains of rice or small squares depending on manufacturer.

It is heated like hot glue for use. there are literally 100's of formulations of this stuff. It might be worth your time to do some in depth research into it to see if there is one that would work better than retail hot glue. Just looking at the web site below you can see a few formulations.

http://usadhesive.com/perfect.html

Would be worth the time to call them and pick there brains or at the very least E mail them.

 

[4ng31]

Notice I said "fiberglass replacment" meaning the actual fiberglass, not resin, you can still use resin, and hot glue as a combo.

No you can't.

Fiberglass does not stick to hot glue, and hot glue will not stick to fiberglass. It might stick originally when glued on, but it's not a permanent bond...or even strong for that matter. I would highly, highly suggest not using resin and hot glue together.

If you don't believe me, take a piece of cloth, and hot glue it to some dried resin, and let the glue harden/dry. Then pull the cloth. It will come off easily.

 

[Rid3r]

I used Acrylic Gel Medium and painted it on, dries clear so you can put on more coats after the paint job.

 

[pacbury]

i tried your method, its... tricky, shed filled with smokey stuff, but i think thats because i had the stove on to high had some of it evaporated
anyway it went on in a thick layer and hopefully im going to sand it (i put it on the outside)

 

[AoBfrost]

I wouldnt put hot glue on the outside, it cant be sanded, it will rip off the cardstock to, the inside is just for globbed on and reinforcment. Not for detaling.....

 

[JakeTheSnake]

No you can't.

Fiberglass does not stick to hot glue, and hot glue will not stick to fiberglass. It might stick originally when glued on, but it's not a permanent bond...or even strong for that matter. I would highly, highly suggest not using resin and hot glue together.

If you don't believe me, take a piece of cloth, and hot glue it to some dried resin, and let the glue harden/dry. Then pull the cloth. It will come off easily.

I think he meant using resin on the outside and hot glue on the inside, not putting them both on the inside.

 

[Kaya Tetsu]

You can't sand it,but those of us who are allowed sharp objects can cut it.