we're not kids anymore.
Andulka
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open
Product Placement
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Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
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祝日 / Permanent Vacation
noise dept.
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@thewookieruns
Okay, I've been sitting on this for a few days (vacationing and whatnot), but I can't keep on not sharing anymore!
I got my first helmet completed! Now, the visor is a bit rough and janky, but it is good enough for now!
Here's a view of it that isn't a selfie!
Just watched Adam Conover (of Adam Ruins Everything) make such a solid point that I think we should spread far and wide. Yes, having AI write your emails is lazy, sure, but people love being lazy. We need to really emphasize that sending AI emails (or using AI responses on social media, or publishing AI flyers, or or or) is rude.
It's rude. You're making someone take their time to read something you couldn't bother to write. You're telling them they were so unimportant you couldn't be bothered to actually take the time to say something yourself. And frankly, you're lying about it while you're at it.
It's rude.
Mandalorian buy'ce update!
Had to start getting creative to improve painting, and after a recommendation from two co-workers, I discovered that a cheap tent DOES make a good paint booth!
Latex paint on the before the gold paint created the wear and tear, and came out looking super good!
Then, paint on the mandibles, head band, and cheeks!
As I was starting this project, I started re-reading the Republic Commando series. I remembered how much I LOVE the character of Kal Skirata, and so I wanted to make his helmet.
Finally, the ear caps, rear vent, and rangefinder were finished being painted and glued in!
All it needs is a visor and some padding, and she'll be done!
Mandalorian update!
Clear coated the helmet and then buffed graphite powder into the clear coat.
Having a good time working on this, and working on a bigger project soon!
Post-processing on a Mandalorian helmet I'm making.
New cosplay project in the works!
Should probably post some completed* power armor pics from the con a few weeks ago!
*Definitely have a lot to improve on. I'm simultaneously proud and mortified at the same time. Already working on some tweaks, and we'll see how the changes go!
Behold, the front part of my right power armor foot!
For reference, that shoe sticking put of it is a US Men's 10.5 measurement.
This thing is gonna be MASSIVE
Using Chrome Vinyl automobile wrap for Cosplay Armor
It’s called Chrome Vinyl, and it’s a metallic wrap used for automobiles.
There’s a cosplayer who’s already made a basic tutorial for what it is and how to use it here: http://calgarycosplay.deviantart.com/art/Cosplay-Metallics-SOLVED-FOREVER-464151191
…though she’s not the first one to figure it out. Chrome wrapping is actually a really popular method used in Asia for covering armored costumes, it just hasn’t really taken hold in western cosplay yet.
You can look up youtube tutorials for how to apply the vinyl (all the demonstrations will be on cars) to get you started.
To add to Calgary’s tutorial, I would say that if you buy a cheaper, no-brand-name vinyl wrap, it’s not going to give you the same results as buying a known brand of vinyl wrap. I have a sample of generic wrap I bought off of eBay, and then a sample of Avery chrome vinyl wrap, that’s advertised to have a nice bit of stretch to it, and the Avery definitely works better because the stretchiness helps go around those curves. Generic brands tend to be less stretchy, the adhesive less sticky, and more prone to dents and wrinkles when you apply heat. As with all things, you get what you pay for.
Generic
Avery
In addition, whether you’re using foam or worbla-coated foam, or wonderflex… it’s a good idea to stiffen it up a bit before applying the vinyl so that it can retain its shape. Applying heat to the vinyl helps it stick and stretch, and you don’t want the heat un-shaping the foam/worbla/wonderflex underneath. I find that using a few light coats of wood glue helps a considerable amount (don’t worry, you don’t need to go get yourself a gallon of epsilon or anything). At the same time, don’t use your most powerful heat gun when applying your vinyl. A hairdryer works fine, and the lighter heat will also contribute to keeping the shape of the foam/thermoplastic you’re wrapping.
And of course, the more time you put in, the better the results. Go slow, experiment on scraps first… if you’re using worbla or wonderflex, I do actually recommend smoothing it out a little bit first. Stretchier chrome vinyls will hug a little bit to the grooves of the rough exterior. For the smoothest possible finish, take that wood glue or wood filler or gesso to your worbla and just apply 2-3 coats to help even it out. Not as much as you would need to if you were painting it, but just enough to give the vinyl a helping hand.
If the adhesive seems to be losing its stickiness or just isn’t holding well enough (and you’d be learning this through your test scraps that I know you’re taking the time to do), I’ve been using contact cement.
You can find this and various other brands at Home Depot or Lowe’s, etc… I find that using contact cement also reduces air bubbles and creases, especially as you wrap the vinyl around the edges so you get a nice cleeeeean finish.
If you don’t know how to use contact cement, google is your friend.
Obviously armor has a lot of pieces, and the unfortunate bit about vinyl wrapping is that you have to do it with every individual piece BEFORE assembly, as opposed to painting, where you can assemble everything first and then paint.
The back of Kuvira’s armor has 10 pieces, and I need to wrap each of the ten plates before I can attach the plates. The inside tends not to look very pretty, but nobody’s looking there anyway.
Worbla scraps are GREAT for assembling those wrapped vinyl pieces btw.
…aaaaand that’s what I have to share about what I’ve learned in using chrome vinyl to make my shiny Kuvira armor! Look forward to pictures of the complete armor and cosplay, and hope this helps!
For posterity...
Been a moment, hasn't it?
Made a lot of progress on the power armor. Feeling like I'm entering con crunch mode, since I have 2 months to finish building this thing, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed lol.
But, we're making it!
a writing competition i was going to participate in again this year has announced that they now allow AI generated content to be submitted
their reasoning being that "we couldn't ban it even if we wanted to, every writer already uses it anyway"
"Every writer"?
come on
Reblog if you're a writer who doesn't use AI.
Some cosplay progress! (Sorry this is all my blog is now)
I've been fighting with my 3D printer lately: jams, clogs, really bad bed adhesion, failed prints, everything.
But, I've learned some newer skills! I've started doing a combination of glue and PETG welding to fix pieces and strengthen bonds. Plus, with warmer weather this weekend, it's been nice to work outside (even if sanding is the bane of my existence!)
Time to start bondo-ing the seams an ld gaps before moving to more finishing touches!
WE HAVE ARTICULATION!
Please don't listen to the horrendous sound of the springs lol
The joys of 3D printing.
3D printer tried to kill itself by shaking the control box off the table, breaking the thermistor. Long story short, branded my arm on the heat gun as I was trying to grab a tool.
Ouch.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
WE HAVE ARTICULATION!
Please don't listen to the horrendous sound of the springs lol
Finally got the primer coat actually on the armor! Someone else had the paint deck for two days straight, so I was ecstatic to finally get on it!
Genuinely stoked with how well it has turned out so far!
Still alive, I promise!
Been plugging away at the power armor. Enjoy some progress pics.
Upper forearm piece that needs to be primed, and various finger pieces/bicep plates filler primed!
