Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]


Retro Pizza Zone

Forum Member Stats
News
More News




-------------------------


Current Admins
---
VJ / VJ
---
Matt The Franchize / Matt
---
Nace / Brandon
---
RetroGirl / Cindy


-------------------------


Current Moderators
---
CavitySam / Andrea
---
Rockafirecheese / Jacob
---
80sgirl / Stacy
---
avengerchucke / Jack (T)
---
CECWestCoast / Isaiah (T)
---



-------------------------


Current Number of Members
---
Admins – 4
---
Moderators – 5
---
Members – 871
---
Total Members - 880



-------------------------

-------------------------
Please give a special thanks to our TESTERS for helping us set up the forums, and find any issues we had to fix! Without them we wouldn’t have this open for you!
Thanks to our special helper on this large scale project, whom of which without their help, this wouldn't be possible!
And of course, THANKS TO EVERYONE!!

-------------------------

New announcements are constantly released! Make sure you always check the Announcements forum for new topics. You'll get your notices there, and updates of anything going on. In addition to that, we're always trying new things, which is why the forum always gets tweaked. If you have suggestions, be sure to submit them in the Suggestions forum!

-------------------------

Remember to check 'The Pizza Office' section of the forum (or contact an Admin or Mod) about the rules, or if you have any questions and/or suggestions!

-------------------------

If you wish to have your name changed, please request a Change of Username from your Profile.


-------------------------

If you need any help, be sure to contact ANYONE on the staff team, via PM! You can find the staff names on the left side scroller!!

-------------------------

We would like to extend a very big Congratulations to our 2 newest mods, Jack and Isaiah!

-------------------------



-------------------------

10/10/14
The GRAND "RE"-Opening of the forum is TODAY!! October 10th! This new and inviting atmosphere was recreated with a cool new look for all users, past/present/future to touch back with their old roots!! Hope you like it here, at the RETRO PIZZA ZONE!!

-------------------------

2/8/15
There's always new things happening on the forums, and y'all are helping it bloom faster than a flower in Spring! Don't forget to check out your favorite topics, and continue the conversations!

-------------------------

--/--/15
WE HAD A BLAST setting this up for you all! On the center scroller, you see us thanking everyone on the staff team, but we should be thanking you! THE FANS! You inspired us to touch back to our roots, with a LARGER "play area", with more to talk about, more to do, and more people to see! We surely hope you enjoy it here, and even share about this new era!

-------------------------

8/8/15
As we aim to make your experience more enjoyable, we're always trying out new things!! In the near future, there MIGHT be some new things coming to light, as we help to make this place what it should be! As well, I'm marking this day as the day some updates happened!! XD The Member scroller has been updated, and things are in the works!!

-------------------------

4/1/16
THIS IS MY FORUM, AND I'M TAKING OVER, WITH AS MUCH CHEESE AS I WANT!! I HOPE Y'ALL ENJOY YOUR STAY, HERE ON MY FORUM!!! CHEESE!! CHEESE!! CHEESE!!

-------------------------

4/1/16
We got the forums back, and it's been a very eventful day!! We think Rick needs a bit of a break though, and during that time, be sure to check out the new theme!!

-------------------------

2/23/17
Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to announce that we've updated a few things! Feel free to extend a congratulations to our new mods, and continue to have fun!

-------------------------


Welcome to Retro Pizza Zone. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You must be at least 16 years old or older, unless approved by an Admin.

As well, refrain from using character names for roleplay, and try to refrain from using company names.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Restoration Talk; Latex
Topic Started: Dec 13 2014, 01:05 AM (756 Views)
RetroGirl
Member Avatar

Since we don't have a section for this yet, and people have been asking questions, I thought I'd start a topic on ways to restore the things we get on eBay, whether they're animatronic characters, walk arounds or just collectibles. Somewhere, someone has already had to figure this out. So, let's share.

I'll start by posting the technique I used to clean and repair the tears and weak areas in Rolfe and Earl's masks. I had previously used these techniques to restore rubber/latex dolls and props and just applied them to the bots.

Firstly, these masks are latex and will deteriorate over time. A good mask is somewhat firm but pliable. With time and exposure to light and temperature extremes, the latex begins to break down and they become soft and "mushy," and may start to collapse. Masks for animatronic characters are a lot thicker than your average Halloween mask because they have to take a beating, and over time they will show some wear. Especially around the moving parts (eyes, mouth) and snaps that attach to the skull.

To clean latex, you never want to use a chemical cleaner of any kind. This will only increase the chance of break down. Keeping the mask dry is also important. If latex isn't showing dirt, I just dry or damp wipe it, dry it, then dust it with baby powder to absorb moisture. If the item has some dirt, I will use a mild soap just on the dirty area and then dry it well.

To make repairs, you'll need nylon mesh, like pantyhose, and liquid latex, which you can get at theatrical supply stores.

Create a patch with the nylon that covers the tear and extends beyond it about a quarter to half of an inch. On the BACK of the mask, apply liquid latex to the area to be repaired. Let it get tacky, then apply the patch working it into the latex. Then, apply another coat of liquid latex over that. Let it dry and test. Repeat if needed. I used this technique to repair the latex around Rolfe's snaps, and to repair small tears in his mask. I also used it to repair a tear in Earl's mouth. Earl's hands were breaking down. Since I couldn't get to the back of them without taking him apart, I used liquid latex to fill in the cracks, coated his hands several times with latex, then repainted. It's just a temporary repair, because the latex underneath will continue to deteriorate, but it looks Okay for now and there are no working parts there to worry about. Eventually, he'll need replacements, but we've bought him some time.

To reinforce or repair larger areas you can use the same technique as above, but you might want to use surgical gauze dipped in latex. It covers more area and is a bit thicker.

Mushy masks probably won't hold up to running on a bot. But, if you reinforce them using the technique above and support the mask with wadded up plastic bags, they can display well as collector's pieces.

I hope this helps anyone trying to work with latex. If anyone else has other suggestions, please add them!



Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Fully Featured & Customizable Free Forums
« Previous Topic · Restoration Talk · Next Topic »
Add Reply

P
R
O
F
I
L
E
User Avatar