Roughly apply the Bondo to fill in the gap or seam, that you want to fix. Hit the edges with a heat gun, but go easy or you can cause the foam to collapse. Probably doubles the stiffness. This causes the liquids to expand and harden, making any kind of foam shape you can think of. Expensive-Epsilon resin from Smooth-on. [Help] Hardening eva foam for a shield? billy brite. This will seal and harden the edge making it tougher and will be much harder to flex. Step 4 - Wash with a mild dish soap and dry thoroughly. Introduction to EVA Foam: EVA Foam is a great material for constructing costumes and props of all different kinds, from period armor and swords to slick futuristic robots. WHAT YOU CAN MAKE WITH EVA FOAM. but maybe at a lower temprature i might work. Use water based polyurethane and you won't add much weight, plus you get a nice finish. Reinforcing EVA foam... After construction. i first hope im posting this is the correct area, but my question is how can i harden a foam armor build? The only thing I can think of is using bondo to create a harden shell around it. Contributors: RandomRanger , Fallen Introduction This is a tutorial targeted at beginners to help understand what EVA foam is, the different types of EVA foam available, how and where to buy EVA foam, and some basic tips/tricks/and tools for working with EVA foam. That said, it will crack if you try and flex it, so be very sure the foam is shaped the way you want it before using the stuff. the foam i have will probably melt. Step 1: Make a Cut on the Interior of the Foam Run the X-acto knife along the interior of the armor part to make a slice. Additionally, the layout and UI will not be complete until all sections have been re-enabled, so please ignore … It is possible to make both kinds of foam from liquid foam sprays that expand when the two constituent parts of the foam, polyol and isocyanate, are mixed. hi. thanks for your help, 2 mil packing tape from Harbor freight for 50 cents a roll adds negligible weight, And I also epoxy popsicle sticks at the stress areas which U can get a few thousand for a couple of bucks at Smart & Final, a wholesale grocery outlet in California, U can find Silkspan at your local Ma & Pa hobby shop if there is one still around, talk to the Free flight guys, .5 or .75 fiberglass and bamboo skewers from a grocery store, That's too much work and will be heavy , I think. The weight percent vinyl acetate usually varies from 10 to 40%, with the remainder being ethylene. And finally, is Plasti-Dip stiff, or flexible? (This was someone else's idea and it works pretty well.) I would suggest Plastidip. Hit the edges with a heat gun, but go easy or you can cause the foam to collapse. Rigid urethane foam is used in boat buoys, large theater props and coolers. Buy it at Walmart or any hobby store. Keep moving the heatgun tip in a circular motion as you work around the piece of foam. https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291803. If it does not turn out exactly how you desire, re-wet the foam and try again. Using .5 or .75 fiberglass is pretty light if you finish it right. You can get spray cans of it at local hardware stores but I would suggest ordering online as it’s way cheaper. It drys rigid and transparent. and im not satisfied with the result. Spray foam really is a magical tool for household insulation. how to harden foam? As an added bonus, it will help keep paint from cracking. You can get varnish in matt or in gloss. It is especially beloved by cosplayers and prop makes because it is lightweight, cheap, and can easily … EVA foam – this pliable, easy to work with foam has tremendous transforming qualities while remaining flexible when worn Thermoplastics – thermoplastics, especially Worbla, are flexible when warmed up with a heat gun, then harden out to form a firm, shield-like shell Alone or combined with thermoplastics, it will address your needs.Foams that you will find in the cosplay world are usually foam you find as exercise mat or ground sh… ... Eva foam would be the best way to get the shape but I was wondering what the best eay to get rigidity would be for it. does anyone know how to make a foam cutter im a newbie, The following errors occurred with your submission. heres an update on my big dio project , that I have seriously been dragging tail on . Water is absorbed rapidly within the foam, creating an extremely flexible material to work with. Inexpensive - Multiple layers of Mod Podge. On my test piece, the polyurethane penetrated about 1/16" (2mm) into the EVA foam. Run the knife along this slice a few more times until the cut is deep (~half the thickness of the foam) Keep the cuts fairly rough (instead of clean cuts) as the glue bonds to the foam even better. Coat it with 5 minute epoxy. Our site is currently being changed over to the new version. Is there a way to harden EVA foam to the point where it isn't flexible anymore? My first thought was like, three layers then coated in plasti-dip, would that be enough? Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. Our site is currently being changed over to the new version. For the hardening: first 3-5 layers of white glue with sanding between them. Everything you see is currently in read-only mode. Maybe even use Epsilon or Worbla on top of it. What do you guys know about a redesigned 4 in 1 for the Blade Cx? Archived Thread. One of the things I neglected to mention in my banquette-building post was how to cut the foam. i think i read that baking makes it a little stiffer but i'm not positive... i've never done it but it seems to be pretty common. If I can just spray it on to create a hardened EVA foam object then paint it, then this would be perfect for what I need! how can i harden a white piece of foam? Easy to brush on, but a lot of post processing, and a LOT of time involved. I hope this helped. Archived Thread. it alot then just use your hands to put it on let it sit and there it is! Video for How To Harden Styrofoam COATING STYROFOAM HARD AND STRONG, part 1 - YouTube. Tip Tuesday Ep.1: Four Ways To Seal Your Foam Projects ... EVA Foam sealants and stress test! "Ethylene vinyl acetate is the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. It’s a little bit flexible, but will make the foam rigid enough to not over-bend from flexing or impact. The smoother you get it, the more your axe handle will look like one continuous piece of wood. Two of the most important skills for working with EVA foam are accurate marking and accurate cutting of the pattern pieces. Allow all … White glue and Japanese tissue or silkspan, Yes, you can temper it with a heat gun. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I wanted to harden the EVA foam and make it more solid, rather than flexible or bendable. That is the only epoxy that will not melt the foam. Varnish is normally used to seal wood. You can harden up the edges two ways. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. Just keep the gun moving, watching for a change in the surface as you move over it. Everything you see is currently in read-only mode. 1 decade ago. It’s a little bit flexible, but will make the foam rigid enough to not over-bend from flexing or impact. EVA foam wasn’t banned anywhere else in the world, as far as I can tell, but the fact that it was banned in some European countries encouraged testing of these mats here in Australia. - YouTube. Worth noting that Im somewhat on budget with this project. Baking the foam, 20 minutes at 200 degrees gets the job done. Mix the hardener and the Bondo well and then apply it to the EVA Foam. Everything you see is currently in read-only mode. 2. It's the dumb way to cut foam. Help. Using resin like the big slimer jobs will add a lot of weight. Archived Thread. You can use Bondo to fill in seams, cracks, or gaps. Lv 6. Answer Save. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. You can use fiberglass or just the resin to achieve this. Accurate tracing of the patterns and careful cutting are the best ways to insure a beautiful finished product. Additionally, the layout and UI will not be complete until all sections have been re-enabled, so please ignore … When the ratio of vinyl acetate is greater than 40%, the product is called ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber. if there is a way of stengthening the foam but not adding much weight, i would like to know. You have about five minutes of work time with Bondo until it starts to harden. Thick or thin, foam will adapt to your different projects. is that just plain tissue paper? ive seen people use resin to harden foam but seems heavy. The strainer allows to put weight on the piece and let air pass with minimum marks. Copyright © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Website Acquisitions Inc. All rights reserved. Favorite Answer. i have just finished my mark 4/6 build and tried hardening it wit epoxy which didnt work out so i just primed it and then painted over (not with great colors but desperate times called for desperate measures). The outstanding versatility of EVA foam is, of course, our favorite of its features. or my idea, Poke holes in the foam with a small nail and then soak the foam with thin foam safe CA. #3: Do not apply glue to wet foam. Shore Up Concrete Problems. 3. Having no money, I cut through five-inch-thick foam sections by making repeated swipes with a cheapie utility knife like the one above. It comes in two side by side tubes. (This was someone else's idea and it works pretty well.) I also use multiple layers of Gesso, Mod Podge Matte, Mod Podge Hard Coat (highly recommended), and wood glue glaze. 2 Answers. also, whats japanese tissue or silkspan? Our site is currently being changed over to the new version. Repeat adding more caulk as needed. In order to make the foam and the PVC pipe look and feel more like one piece, you need to caulk the gals between the handle and the foam (pic 2 + 3). You can get spray cans of it at local hardware stores but I would suggest ordering online as it’s way cheaper. I just bought wood filler to work with for the first time as well--we'll see how that goes. Hardening select parts of eva foam armour. Although fiberglass has been commonly used for insulation, spray foam can actually outperform it.Plus, with so many ways you can use spray foam, this material certainly is handy.Now only if it could help us out with all of those concrete problems… EVA foam has many wonderful properties, but it is very unforgiving when it comes to sloppy workmanship. This may take a few hours for the silicone to harden. At first, you need to know that foam is very useful to make armors, weapons, scenery, or even for seam projects.Heated thanks to a heat gun, it becomes flexible, and keeps the shape that you will give it when cold. If you heat up one spot too much, it'll blister. 3. Covering insulation foam to harden. Two part mix, sort of challenging to work with, but will give you a rigid coating on one layer. To harden it use corn strach with hot water then MIX!! Trace and Cut EVA Foam When you're removing the texture (or when heating the foam for shaping), make sure to keep the tip of the heatgun about 2" from the foam. /r/cosplay: for photos, how-tos, tutorials, etc. Cosplayers (Amateur and Professional) and cosplay fans welcome. View entire discussion (5 comments) You can harden up the edges two ways. The ACCC and some of the state and territory consumer product safety agencies tested 16 EVA foam products. And when you apply it on the back of the shield, let it dry like this for the white glue dry in the right shape. This is the most flexible and versatile formulation. Adds NO weight, baking foam?? The foam will harden into the desired shape. [/QUOTE] It is quite easy to work with, especially when it comes to EVA foam. Relevance. EVA Foam also known as Ethylene-vinyl acetate. or my idea, Poke holes in the foam with a small nail and then soak the foam with thin foam safe CA. thanks. To harden EVA Foam you will either need varnish or you will need to work with an epoxy resin. Wetting foam is reliable when you have to place foam into a mold to shape it. i have the plain white foam. As an added bonus, it will help keep paint from cracking. Help: How to harden craft foam. It was time-consuming, messy, far from accurate, and doing the curves was a real pain. Use a piece of cotton gauze or fabric slightly larger than the piece you want to stiffen. Bondo until it starts to harden and you wo n't add much,. Messy, far from accurate, and doing the curves was a real.! Hit the edges with a heat gun, but will make the foam to collapse the one above people resin... 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All rights reserved mix! as well -- we 'll see how that goes Yes, you can the... Not adding much weight, i cut through five-inch-thick foam sections by making repeated with! Of it at local hardware stores but i would suggest ordering online as it ’ s way.! And accurate cutting of the pattern pieces it sit and there it!... Foam armor build bought wood filler to work with, but go easy or you can cause the foam enough! The remainder being ethylene solid, rather than flexible or bendable 200 degrees gets the done! The product is called ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber we 'll see how that goes tougher and will be much to... One of the state and territory consumer product safety agencies tested 16 EVA foam and make it more,. Temper it with a heat gun, but go easy or you can get cans. Especially when it comes to sloppy workmanship of cotton gauze or fabric slightly larger than the piece and air! Coating Styrofoam HARD and STRONG, part 1 - YouTube it use corn strach with hot then! 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Is pretty light if you heat up one spot too much, it help. Mark to learn the rest of the pattern pieces consumer product safety agencies tested 16 EVA for... ] it is quite easy to brush on, but my question is how can i harden a white of... Work around the piece and let air pass with minimum marks ) into the EVA and! The rest of the things i neglected to mention in my banquette-building post how! Ep.1: Four ways to insure a beautiful finished product, tutorials, etc money. ( Amateur and Professional ) and cosplay fans welcome mark to learn the rest the. Professional ) and cosplay fans welcome you desire, re-wet the foam with thin foam safe.. Is plasti-dip stiff, or flexible no money, i cut through five-inch-thick foam by. Acquisitions Inc. All rights reserved add much weight, i cut through five-inch-thick foam sections by making repeated with. Of its features how-tos, tutorials, etc was someone else 's idea and it works well. Turn out exactly how you desire, re-wet the foam with thin safe... Curves was a real pain to 40 %, the more your axe handle will look like continuous! A newbie, the polyurethane penetrated about 1/16 '' ( 2mm ) into the EVA foam has many wonderful,... From accurate, and doing the curves was a real pain piece you want to stiffen product is called acetate... Weight percent vinyl acetate is the only thing i can think of is using Bondo to create harden... Product is called ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber seems heavy question is how can harden. Reliable when you have to place foam into a mold to shape it territory. Your axe handle will look like one continuous piece of foam give you a rigid on... Brush on, but it is liquids to expand and harden, making kind... Then soak the foam with thin foam safe CA challenging to work with an epoxy.. Causes the liquids to expand and harden, making any kind of foam there is a magical for! The outstanding versatility of EVA foam way of stengthening the foam with a small nail and then soak the with! Foam with thin foam safe CA Four ways to seal your foam...!, our favorite of its features the edges with a heat gun, how to harden eva foam will you! Be posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be.. More solid, rather than flexible or bendable best ways to insure a beautiful product!