Fixing onto the helmet and applying a skin

latex finish

Guide for webbing detail

Filler covers the helmet and provides a surface for the webbing detail to be carved into

To prepare the helmet for fixing the jaws in place, I keyed its black paint finish and the inside of my foam model with a scalpel, so that the contact adhesive would sit into these indentations. It was also important to key the sides of the helmet for the car body filler parts at the sides of the mouth. The filler provides a thin, strong surface for me to carve in detail, whilst providing additional support by filling any gaps between the jaws and the helmet. Both jaws were positioned in place by standing back and alligning them with a ruler. The contact adhesive was allowed to air dry for about ten minuets onec out of the tin before being applied to both surfaces. I left this for one hour to dry.

Once I was satisfied with the surafce of the blue foam, I could then sponge and paint on several coats of liquid latex, approaching the head at different angles throughout the day to ensure even coverage. I took out two paint brushes and used cheap kitchen sponges as the latex destroys painting equiptment. I also wore protective gloves and clothing whilst doing this. Latex gives off an ammonia smell as it cures which is unpleasent but relativly harmless. Naturally, the latex has pooled and filled some spaces whilst any stray drips have created small bobbles on the foam's surface. I have cut out any gloops I feel to be a problem whilst leaving a few imperfections allows for a rougher, more realistic finish to the crocodile.