ElvenArcane's Mudtrooper WIP

[ElvenArcane]

Figured I'd start my build thread while waiting for my last few packages to arrive. 

The biggest challenge I'm facing at the moment is the poncho. I will very gladly take any and all recommendations on how to turn this thing black. I'm not opposed to painting it my hand if that's what it takes lol. I just don't even know where to start 😅 

And if anyone has some recommendations for the armour paint in Canada, I'd really appreciate it!

[CC9218[TX]]

2 hours ago, ElvenArcane said:

Figured I'd start my build thread while waiting for my last few packages to arrive. 

The biggest challenge I'm facing at the moment is the poncho. I will very gladly take any and all recommendations on how to turn this thing black. I'm not opposed to painting it my hand if that's what it takes lol. I just don't even know where to start 😅 

And if anyone has some recommendations for the armour paint in Canada, I'd really appreciate it!

Ah, yes, the plash (cape/poncho). It's a nightmare to dye. I attempted to dye it with hot water and a variety of synthetic dyes, but nothing was really working. Small parts of the plash would take color, but it looked very blotchy. I decided to use a leather dye (from Tandy Leather) and painted it on. While this method worked, the material is much stiffer than before, but I am okay with it.

[minimo[CMD-DCA]]

3 hours ago, ElvenArcane said:

Figured I'd start my build thread while waiting for my last few packages to arrive. 

The biggest challenge I'm facing at the moment is the poncho. I will very gladly take any and all recommendations on how to turn this thing black. I'm not opposed to painting it my hand if that's what it takes lol. I just don't even know where to start 😅 

And if anyone has some recommendations for the armour paint in Canada, I'd really appreciate it!

Woohooo, welcome! The plash has a protective waterproof treatment that needs to be removed prior to being dyed. The most successful way of doing this is heat. I recommend doing 3 30 minute baths in hot water (around 150-200 degrees).  That should remove the weatherproof treatment. Subsequently, give it a few more baths in similarly hot water with the black dye in it! Let us know if you have anymore questions! Have fun! 

[Blackwatch[CMD-DCA]]

yeahhhh i run into that with the fabric treatment on Jawa monk cloth all the time. YOu have to scald the waterproof treatment off of it with hot water and I was advised 91% ISO alchohol will strip it but that will get very expensive very quickly.   It almost seems easier to use regular heavy tent canvas, dye it black and add any details needed to make it a plash. 

[ElvenArcane]

Got some progress and some questions today.

Starting off, I’ve got all the armour prepped and started painting. Decided to start with the medic bicep, and I’ll be doing the other eventually. Once it decides to stay in one solid piece…

Finding the right colour of paint was a challenge and a half. Visited some auto stores who can mix paint, with all of them saying they couldn’t do it. I eventually found a water based paint, which wouldn’t be my first choice. But it’s the right colour.

Ive never used this kind of paint on cosplays before, so I’m not too sure about it. I’m worried about ruining my base coat as I go in to muddy it up. Any suggestions on protecting it beforehand? Would a sealer do the trick?