I've watched a ton of prop making videos, but I'm going to be completely honest here dude. You're extremely down to Earth, and honestly quite educational with your content. Keep up the good work man, this saved me a few days and several hundred dollars worth of experimenting.
Hey, thanks for the video. I have two quick questions for ya. I am using Epsilon on polyurethane foam (EPS). Would you apply anything to the surface to fill in the gaps between the cells a little, and make it smoother? Also, I want a very smooth surface, and I see that you can add colour to Epsilon, but would you suggest not adding colour and painting it after to create that effect? Thanks in advance!
For extra filler is depends on how much needs to be filled. For small joints and such Epsilon will fill those quite well. Anything larger and I'd use filler before applying Epsilon. In regards to painting vs tinting it also depends. What type of overall finish are you looking for? If your going super smooth you'll want to do at least 3 coats of Epsilon with sanding and filling between the 2nd and 3rd coats. Then sand again after the 3rd coat before you put down your first primer coat. It's a lot of work but if your looking for a super smooth surface you can never sand too much.
thank you for making this! I am trying to make my sci Fi costume armor for the first time. I've made props before but they never have the surface I wanted and just when I thought can I put resin on foam I found this! I have some questions tho, should epsilon be applied after the paint job or before the paint job? would there be a big difference?
Before or after really depends on the project. I always do it before to make a hard shell layer that can be further smoothed with sanding and filling, something you normally cannot easily do over foam.
Great video mate. I'm looking at building a giant Lego mini-figure out of XPS foam and want to harden it and maybe Epsilon resin the answer. With enough coatings would it be weather resistant for the outdoors say in a garden?
I'm pretty sure it would be fine in outdoors. I can find that specific info on the Smoothon site. You may want to ask them in an email. They have good customer service.
Hi. Thanks for the super informative video! If you don't mind me asking. I want to use graphite powder on my EVA armour. I know that to have the chrome look I have to have shiny surface. Should I use this method or is there some other way I could achieve a shiny look on EVA?
Coregeek Creations thanks so much for writing back! Quick question, I bought 3 types of coatings and I'm yet to test or use them to cover my body armour: Pour-On, Xtc3D and EpPro. I plan on coating both sides and I'm leaning towards using EpPro as Bill and Brit said it was more flexible. What do you think? I also heard priming the foam with wood glue before coating with Epsilon? Have you ever used this method? Thanks for your time and you're awesome!
EpPro should work reasonably well. I wouldn't use it on any piece that you need to be flexible though. It has more give that Original Epsilon and therefore is less susceptible to cracking which it the most common complaint about OgEp. I haven't tried woodglue as a base but I have no idea why that would be necessary. Wood glue dries hard and is also susceptible to cracking. It seems to me like it would be working in the opposite of what you may be trying to accomplish with the EpPro to begin with.
Would this work to make a green ranger dragon shield smooth? Or should I not since the shield should have some flex to it? Also, is this better than Mod Podge or Plastidip before painting the Eva foam? Thanks man!!
It’s a great product if you want to hardshell the foam. If you are concerned about flex, Epsilon Pro is a bit more forgiving. As to what is best that’s really up to you and your plan for finishing. With Epsilon you can do more “body shop” type work when compared to Mod Podge or Plastidip. Prop Monkey Studios also has some great foam prepping products that work well too.
No. XPS foam will melt if you apply heat to it. I can be sanded for smoothness then sealed with either a hard coating like Epsilon or any PVA based sealer like Mod Podge.
Some others may work. Hard to say. Most won’t and can melt the foam. Epsilon is formulated specifically for coating foam. I can only speak to its performance.
Bondo, spot filler putty or Elmer's wood filler is my favorite. i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2f9b8dc4-e2d5-4c6a-a1fa-a3aa21ed835f_1.a5685bbb84275f0040b2502971a547e6.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF
This was really helpful! Are you supposed to paint after applying epsilon resin to keep that finish? Or do I need to add another layer on top of the paint job?
Depends on the finish you want. Can be painted over which is how I would use it. Can also be used as a topcoat, although I’d caution against it do to it being almost impossible to eliminate brush strokes.
I've watched a ton of prop making videos, but I'm going to be completely honest here dude. You're extremely down to Earth, and honestly quite educational with your content. Keep up the good work man, this saved me a few days and several hundred dollars worth of experimenting.
This was extremely useful, thank you very very much!!!!!
Now would this be the same in coating fabric wrapped foam? Awesome vid
I'd like to have seen the end result to see how hard it makes the foam.
Thanks for this video. I look forward to the comparison vid! ~ArthosCosplay&Props
Thanks for watching!
how flexible is it?
I wonder if it allows the piece to be moulded and cast. It seems like it would.
I think it could work depending on the piece.
You are a life saver!!!
Bless you for this vid, because i totally lost my instructions haha.
Hey, thanks for the video. I have two quick questions for ya. I am using Epsilon on polyurethane foam (EPS). Would you apply anything to the surface to fill in the gaps between the cells a little, and make it smoother? Also, I want a very smooth surface, and I see that you can add colour to Epsilon, but would you suggest not adding colour and painting it after to create that effect? Thanks in advance!
For extra filler is depends on how much needs to be filled. For small joints and such Epsilon will fill those quite well. Anything larger and I'd use filler before applying Epsilon.
In regards to painting vs tinting it also depends. What type of overall finish are you looking for? If your going super smooth you'll want to do at least 3 coats of Epsilon with sanding and filling between the 2nd and 3rd coats. Then sand again after the 3rd coat before you put down your first primer coat. It's a lot of work but if your looking for a super smooth surface you can never sand too much.
Thanks so much for the reply, it's a big help!
thank you for making this! I am trying to make my sci Fi costume armor for the first time. I've made props before but they never have the surface I wanted and just when I thought can I put resin on foam I found this!
I have some questions tho, should epsilon be applied after the paint job or before the paint job? would there be a big difference?
Before or after really depends on the project. I always do it before to make a hard shell layer that can be further smoothed with sanding and filling, something you normally cannot easily do over foam.
Great video mate. I'm looking at building a giant Lego mini-figure out of XPS foam and want to harden it and maybe Epsilon resin the answer. With enough coatings would it be weather resistant for the outdoors say in a garden?
I'm pretty sure it would be fine in outdoors. I can find that specific info on the Smoothon site. You may want to ask them in an email. They have good customer service.
How come the resin on the tray remained workable, but it cured on the foam?
Hi. Thanks for the super informative video! If you don't mind me asking. I want to use graphite powder on my EVA armour. I know that to have the chrome look I have to have shiny surface. Should I use this method or is there some other way I could achieve a shiny look on EVA?
Will this make the foam itself stiffer and not bendable?
Yes.
Hey Eric!
Will you be uploading an Ep Pro video? Just curious of how they compare as you mentioned.
Great craftsmanship btw!! You're talented.
I hope to do one eventually but it's going to be a while. I'd be happy to answer any questions about it.
Coregeek Creations thanks so much for writing back! Quick question, I bought 3 types of coatings and I'm yet to test or use them to cover my body armour: Pour-On, Xtc3D and EpPro. I plan on coating both sides and I'm leaning towards using EpPro as Bill and Brit said it was more flexible. What do you think? I also heard priming the foam with wood glue before coating with Epsilon? Have you ever used this method? Thanks for your time and you're awesome!
EpPro should work reasonably well. I wouldn't use it on any piece that you need to be flexible though. It has more give that Original Epsilon and therefore is less susceptible to cracking which it the most common complaint about OgEp. I haven't tried woodglue as a base but I have no idea why that would be necessary. Wood glue dries hard and is also susceptible to cracking. It seems to me like it would be working in the opposite of what you may be trying to accomplish with the EpPro to begin with.
Logical answer thanks Eric!!
Awesome! Thanks.
What do you think about resin like Easy Cast? what is the cons?
Would this work to make a green ranger dragon shield smooth? Or should I not since the shield should have some flex to it? Also, is this better than Mod Podge or Plastidip before painting the Eva foam? Thanks man!!
It’s a great product if you want to hardshell the foam. If you are concerned about flex, Epsilon Pro is a bit more forgiving. As to what is best that’s really up to you and your plan for finishing. With Epsilon you can do more “body shop” type work when compared to Mod Podge or Plastidip. Prop Monkey Studios also has some great foam prepping products that work well too.
@@coregeek thank you so much for the reply!! Really appreciate it! Thanks for the info too!
@@coregeek I basically want a smooth as butter finish with being able to flex slightly
Awesome! I've been waiting for this vid :D Have you tried the new Epsilon Pro?
I have been testing with it. Should have a video out soon.
If I’ve already sprayed my foam with plastiDip, will this still work?
Do you heat seal the pink insulation foam? I've only ever worked with EVA foam.
No. XPS foam will melt if you apply heat to it. I can be sanded for smoothness then sealed with either a hard coating like Epsilon or any PVA based sealer like Mod Podge.
Does it have to be epsilon pro? Will any epoxy resin work? (example: off the shelf from art stores)
Some others may work. Hard to say. Most won’t and can melt the foam. Epsilon is formulated specifically for coating foam. I can only speak to its performance.
Can you use epoxy resins without fiberglass on the foam?
No Standard resins (like for fiberglass) will melt the foam.
Can you give some examples of the spot filler or spot putty that you mention
Bondo, spot filler putty or Elmer's wood filler is my favorite. i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2f9b8dc4-e2d5-4c6a-a1fa-a3aa21ed835f_1.a5685bbb84275f0040b2502971a547e6.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF
Thank you! I didn't know that you could use that Elmers wood filler on EVA
You can but only in conjunction with a hardener like Epsilon. Otherwise it'll flex, crack and crumble.
thank you for the vid! can you buy the trial kit at any retail stores?
You may be able to find a distributor locally but for my area I have to order it.
Can I add the foam resin to a mold I already made? Ex the mold of alginate?
what do you prime the cured Epsilon with to paint it?
Standard spray primer is fine.
Do I nees to coat the foam first with mod podge or plastidip for example? Or just brush the resin to the foam? thanks
nixland Epsilon and Epsilon Pro goes directly onto the foam.
I see. Thanks
Would this stuff work to coat cardboard covered in paper mache?
Chronix I’m not sure about this stuff, but I use artists resin for cardboard/papermache builds, then if I need it stiffer I go in with auto bodyfiller
So, you're using this as a foam sealer/ hardener and then painting over it? Can you also do the graphite powder method over epsilon?
Andrew Stevens Yeah, should be able too.
@@coregeek great. Ive always thought of it as a final clear coat versus the initial sealer. Going to have to try this
I need something that isn't flexible and won't chip from airsoft pellets going at 500fps, any advice?
that type of answer i need to know to!
I think I’m gonna try to experiment a little with that
This was really helpful! Are you supposed to paint after applying epsilon resin to keep that finish? Or do I need to add another layer on top of the paint job?
Depends on the finish you want. Can be painted over which is how I would use it. Can also be used as a topcoat, although I’d caution against it do to it being almost impossible to eliminate brush strokes.
They make a new version call Epsilon Pro that doesn't need any scales it's a 2 to 1 mix ratio.
Yeah. I made this video before Pro was a product.