How to Make Latex Masks for Action Figures
Creating custom designs for your action figures does not have to involve expensive professional casting, which often includes buying a minimum amount of cast copies. Instead, you can make additions to your action figure's look at home, using the same methods as the professionals. Hobbyists often create masks, which can be crafted out of simple liquid latex.
Things You'll Need
- Action figure
- Legos
- Modeling clay
- Latex gloves
- Paintbrushes
- Bowl and stirring stick
- Silicone RTV rubber and catalyst
- Wooden craft balls
- Mold release spray
- Rubber bands
- Razor
- Liquid latex
- Latex paint
- Scissors
- Baby powder
Instructions
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1
Remove the head from your selected action figure, if possible. If not, you may need to make a mold of the entire figure. At the base of the head, build up a false neck out of modeling clay. Build the sides of a molding box out of Legos, using modeling clay for the bottom of the box and leaving the top open. Make sure that the box gives your action figure head a clearance of at least 1/4 inch on all sides, including the top and bottom depth.
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2
Mix together a batch of silicone RTV rubber with its catalyst, stirring until the mixture turns a pastel shade of the catalyst color. Pour the rubber mixture into your molding box, filling the box halfway. Press your action figure head into the molding box, letting it sink halfway into the rubber, then do the same to several wooden craft balls around the edge of the rubber. Let the rubber cure for 12 hours.
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3
Remove the wooden craft balls from the rubber. Mix up another batch of rubber and catalyst, then pour it into the molding box over your action figure head. Make sure that the head is entirely covered. Let the rubber cure for 12 hours.
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4
Separate the mold halves and remove your action figure head from the rubber. Fit the mold halves back together, securing them in place with rubber bands. Cut the mold at the neck point with the razor so one side is open.
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5
Pour a small amount of liquid latex into the open side of the mold and swish it around gently, letting it coat the inside of the mold completely. Pour the excess liquid latex out and place the mold in front of a fan to let the latex dry completely. When the latex is dry, pour more latex into the mold and repeat this step. Continue adding layers of latex until you have the thickness you would like for your action figure mask, then let the mold cure for 12 hours.
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6
Peel the latex carefully out of the mold, sprinkling baby powder onto it so that the latex does not stick to itself. Trim away all excess latex with a pair of sharp scissors. Put the latex mask on an action figure to test the fit, then paint the mask with latex paint.
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