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What do the rest of you customizers usually do for chest armor?

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  • KingKickass1983
    Career Member
    • Jan 19, 2019
    • 706

    What do the rest of you customizers usually do for chest armor?

    I've a germ of an idea but stuck on a detail... chest armor.

    So curious...what have others used?
    Wanted:

    Diamond select Spider-man hands. Long shot, I know...but ya never know..
  • Action Martin
    Apeonaut
    • Dec 30, 2007
    • 1954

    #2
    I've never made a custom that required chest armor.

    I suppose you could use the CTVT SWAT vest.


    My friend uses Worbla.


    Scott

    Comment

    • KingKickass1983
      Career Member
      • Jan 19, 2019
      • 706

      #3
      Originally posted by Action Martin
      I've never made a custom that required chest armor.

      I suppose you could use the CTVT SWAT vest.


      My friend uses Worbla.

      OH MAN! The worbla seems to work great!
      Wanted:

      Diamond select Spider-man hands. Long shot, I know...but ya never know..

      Comment

      • EMCE Hammer
        Moderation Engineer
        • Aug 14, 2003
        • 25758

        #4
        I've modified Tin Man and FTC knight gear if you're talking pre-made. I've also cut shapes out of milk jug plastic and added details

        Comment

        • pmwasson
          Maker
          • Sep 12, 2007
          • 4881

          #5
          I find heat forming works well. Get thin plastic, heat it with a heat gun and push it onto a naked body (careful not to burn yourself). I usually 3D print the pieces, but you could also cut the shapes out of other plastic and give it a try.
          sigpic LaserMego

          Comment

          • KingKickass1983
            Career Member
            • Jan 19, 2019
            • 706

            #6
            I recently ordered a sheet of worbla. Hoping I can make armor for two customs.

            Trying to add an Iron Man to my collection...but the 90s version. MY Iron Man.
            Wanted:

            Diamond select Spider-man hands. Long shot, I know...but ya never know..

            Comment

            • KnightDetective
              Veteran Member
              • Aug 31, 2012
              • 351

              #7
              Worbla is a magical material in the same usefulness class as duct tape!

              This reminded me of something weird. Probably not ideal for your particular project, but...

              Elmer's White Glue. No kidding.

              Accidentally spilled some on a figure years ago and didn't notice until it dried. Popped right off, smooth and slightly flexible, retaining the shape of what was underneath. It was somewhat similar to milk jug plastic. Trimmable with scissors or Exacto knife. Perfect for quick and dirty chestplates!

              Did a few test pieces, trying thin layers and building up from the reverse side, trying hard molds, etc. Never got around to doing much with it, but years later, it still held up, even without being sealed. May be a cheap solution for a casual display piece. Never tried painting any of it though.

              (Also worked for light duty press molds for soft clay. Picked up texture detail like a champ!)

              Comment

              • KingKickass1983
                Career Member
                • Jan 19, 2019
                • 706

                #8
                Originally posted by KnightDetective
                Worbla is a magical material in the same usefulness class as duct tape!

                This reminded me of something weird. Probably not ideal for your particular project, but...

                Elmer's White Glue. No kidding.

                Accidentally spilled some on a figure years ago and didn't notice until it dried. Popped right off, smooth and slightly flexible, retaining the shape of what was underneath. It was somewhat similar to milk jug plastic. Trimmable with scissors or Exacto knife. Perfect for quick and dirty chestplates!

                Did a few test pieces, trying thin layers and building up from the reverse side, trying hard molds, etc. Never got around to doing much with it, but years later, it still held up, even without being sealed. May be a cheap solution for a casual display piece. Never tried painting any of it though.

                (Also worked for light duty press molds for soft clay. Picked up texture detail like a champ!)
                What do you mean thin layers? You applied the glue with a brush?
                Wanted:

                Diamond select Spider-man hands. Long shot, I know...but ya never know..

                Comment

                • EMCE Hammer
                  Moderation Engineer
                  • Aug 14, 2003
                  • 25758

                  #9
                  The Elmers trick works on fabric. A couple thin layers and once it dries you can paint it. Somewhat of a trial and error deal. I would bet if you took a CTVT wrestling suit on a body and used the glue treatment you'd get something you could work with

                  Comment

                  • KnightDetective
                    Veteran Member
                    • Aug 31, 2012
                    • 351

                    #10
                    Originally posted by KingKickass1983

                    What do you mean thin layers? You applied the glue with a brush?
                    Hmmm... that would probably have worked better!

                    I just poured an even coat over a torso and let it dry, carefully popped it loose and trimmed the edges to form a chestplate. Then I put a few drops on the inside concave surface and tilted it around like a slush mold until the surface was evenly coated. Let dry and repeat until you reach the desired thickness. Test fit on your figure occasionally to make sure it looks right. A little paint, plus an additional color lightly applied with a makeshift texture pad and you've got yourself a passable leather armor. Extra points: Nick it with an Exacto knife before painting for battle damage. Certainly not nice enough to sell or anything, but not bad looking on the shelf.

                    Hammer's got a good idea above with the fabric trick. Works like a fabric stiffener and you could "paint" armor panels on a soft goods bodysuit, like the '89 Keaton Batsuit!

                    Comment

                    • mikeoz
                      Mego Maker
                      • Mar 9, 2007
                      • 1436

                      #11
                      To make armor for a custom Hawk figure from Buck Rogers, I cut the torso in half (down the sides) of a “regular” muscular body from Classic TV Toys and rounded off the abdomen area. The body fit surprisingly well over a standard Mego sized body.



                      IMG_0022.jpgIMG_0023.jpg
                      Last edited by mikeoz; Feb 22, '25, 12:52 AM.
                      Looking for:
                      Lincoln Phantom of the Opera

                      Comment

                      • Action Martin
                        Apeonaut
                        • Dec 30, 2007
                        • 1954

                        #12
                        And there's always this option
                        Scott

                        Comment

                        • TrekStar
                          Trek or Treat
                          • Jan 20, 2011
                          • 8659

                          #13
                          [QUOTE=mikeoz;n2097646]To make armor for a custom Hawk figure from Buck Rogers, I cut the torso in half (down the sides) of a “regular” muscular body from Classic TV Toys and rounded off the abdomen area. The body fit surprisingly well over a standard Mego sized body.



                          That’s a great looking custom Hawk, nice work.

                          Comment

                          • apes3978
                            Talkative Member
                            • Nov 19, 2005
                            • 5091

                            #14
                            Originally posted by TrekStar
                            That’s a great looking custom Hawk, nice work.
                            Agreed.

                            Comment

                            • Megotastrophe
                              Permanent Member
                              • Jun 29, 2018
                              • 3063

                              #15
                              15K likes, 248 comments - itsginnydi on March 13, 2025: "By my troth, this took a long time ".


                              Saw this custom Barbie Paladin in plate armor and thought it might be apropos

                              Comment

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