Chest armor...

[KingKickass1983]

I have an idea for a custom figure that wears chest armor..

thinking Roman gladiator or centurion armor... how should I go about doing that? can anyone recommend a source for 8 inch scale armor.. or should I pad the inside of the shirt/body suit?

[sprytel]

You can probably find this cheaper... but you need to track down one of these sets:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374385741899

Fits Mego nicely.

[PNGwynne]

^Good to know, some really useful stuff there.

[KingKickass1983]

I wonder... if I were to put a shirt onto a muscular chest (let's say a jakks wwe figure) and spray it with a stiffener...would the shirt hold the shape when dried?

[KingKickass1983]

It only kind of worked... but not for what I need...

I might just cut the chest off an old figure and hollow it out to make the chest armor plating.

[KnightDetective]

Way back when, I brushed thin layers of plain ol' white Elmer's glue onto the chest of a figure with good musculature. When dry, it popped right off, retaining its shape. Trimmed it to fit the custom figure I was working on. Painted and sealed it. Was more or less like plastic. Looked surprisingly good!

I don't recall using a release agent or anything, but if you try this, practice on something first!

[Tiberiusguy]

You could use cling wrap as a release agent. Tightly wrap your torso and then apply the glue or moge podge. If you want a smoother surface, I was going to suggest, a thermoplastic sheet. I think a thin one is available that a hot hair dryer would work or really hot water.

[PNGwynne]

I was going to suggest thermoplastic as well--JoAnn's sells it for cosplay.

[KingKickass1983]

These are all great suggestions! I'm considering gluing foam muscle padding to the body suit too..maybe padding out the shoulders as well.