In this blog you will find the basic stuff for making EVA foam parts
Let’s start with what EVA foam is. EVA foam is a thermoplastic material that is ideal for
suitable for creating all kinds of costume elements, armor, weapons, small
details, etc.
Foam can be molded into all sorts of shapes, for this it is best to use a heat gun,
because it heats up to high temperatures. This allows us to shape the foam freely.
EVA foam also comes in different thicknesses and colors.
The first basic thing is pens and markers, with these we can outline the shapes on the foam we want to cut out.
The second basic thing is a wallpaper knife, or a precision modeling knife. These knives are great for cutting foam. It is a good idea to sharpen the knife before each cutout
because the foam dulls the blades very quickly. I use a special stone of high gradation (1500) for sharpening.
The third basic thing is the glue with which we will glue our foam parts. In this case, Pattex Classic Universal glue works great. These adhesives can be purchased
in home improvement stores. This type of glue is available in cans of 800ml and 300ml, for example, and they also come in small tubes.
Pattex glue is one of the irritating adhesives, emitting fumes, so make sure that our room is ventilated or aired when working.
Before applying the glue, I always pour it into a smaller bottle, as this makes it easier to apply it to the foam. We always apply the glue to both surfaces we want to glue together.
Before gluing the two surfaces together, we need to wait a few minutes for the glue to dry.
The next and last thing is the bases for the paints. Before you paint your props or costume pieces, you always need to apply a paint base. Without the base, the foam would simply absorb
all the paint. A good and inexpensive base for paint is wood glue. Wood glue is white in color, and becomes transparent after application and drying.
Another good base is Flexi Paint. This is a base very similar to wood glue, the consistency and appearance is the same, but it is flexible. This makes our props more
resistant to damage or cracking.
One of the best bases is also Plasti Lak or Plasti Dip. These are spray bases, which allows quick application.