17th November 2010: Progress update Here is how the costume is shaping up - life support control panel now fixed onto breastplate. I removed the Velcro from the breastplate fasteners because I just dont trust it..always snags and pulls on nice fabric! Instead the wide elastic straps are now fastened with large size hook/eyes. So, breastplate sorted.
In the pics I tried an off the shoulder top. Looks nice without the helmet but with the helmet on the bare neck looks wrong. This means I am going to have to make a long sleeved full coverage top (for this pic I just have a plain black T-shirt on). 3 days to go.. But I'm feeling good about progress. ^_^
15th November 2010: Breastplate progress Pic - Breastplate after clear Gloss varnish has dried.
Two coats of Johnsons Klear brushed on - It's meant for floors but I find this stuff is an excellent clear gloss varnish which dries fast and doesn't smell.
Sainsburys sell it.
14th November 2010: Breastplate progress Third coat. Colour looks solid enough. Now drying, tommorrow I will coat it all with clear gloss to make it super shiney. Also need to drill some holes and fix the life support control box onto the front.
Notice: top left, black wide elastic strip sticking out - this is how the breastplate is fastened onto me. Wide elastic strips are hot glued to the inside, and the other end has velcro fastener. (in case you were wondering)
12th November 2010: Breastplate progress Next stage - first coat of Black paint. Nothing special here, just ordinary craft acrylic. It's quite well pigmented so two coats might do this..
12th November 2010: Breastplate progress You might recognise this - from my Toyah cosplay. - I did what I wanted with that, and so I'm quite happy to be re-using this breastplate for another costume.
First stage - the glossy finish has been sanded down with rough sandpaper - this will provide a better key for the black paint to stick to. It has also smoothened the breastplate a bit more - which can't be a bad thing cuz gloss black could show up any unsmoothness..