denting plastic

Is there a way to add dents to vacuumformed plastic? I really want to add the dents in the knees I have, and figure there's a way to melt them in a little or something. Any suggestions?

How thick is the plastic? You can add dents with a dremel if the plastic is thick enough. You can also hold the plastic over a candle and let a hot spot form, which will sink down a bit under it's own weight. You run the risk of ruining it.

I used a heat gun and the but of a screw driver. It worked great. Some people just use hot water to get the plastic soft and then dent it that way. It's not real hard, I think a hair dryer would even work. Good luck.

However,
If you use the screwdriver,make sure the plastic is not to hot.If it is it will stick to the screwdriver.Trust me,I already found out the hard way.Build fett or die trying.

I've also used an "Aim N Flame" ,....basically a lighter,and held the flame close to the plastic I'm trying to re-shape.It works well,just try and "dent" or re-shape often because if it gets too hot it will distort.That is why holding the flame right on it is important,....if the tip of the flame is dancing over it,it will char the plastic's surface.

I JUST did that same thing. I lit a match and waved it for 10 secs onder the knee and you can see the plastic getting soft. Just push down gently and blow on it. I will post pics tomorrow of before and after or you can email me @ bobdes@aol.com and I will email you some shots.

I too used a lighter on mine. I just heated it up until you could tell it was getting soft. I then used a large marble to make a circular dent (not in my knees). It worked out great for me.

I used a heat gun making all my armor from scratch. Just wear gloves and push your thumb into the armor or some sort of tool so that you dent it. The plastic won't stick to the screwdriver unless you've melted the plastic too much. You shouldn't be melting it to the point that its smoking. If you do, you've gone too far and your also risking health problems. Styrene releasing cancer causing fumes if you heat it to the point of smoking.

I would boil it and poke it while it's still flexible!

Heat up the back of it with a lighter and push it in with your fingure to the desired dent!!

Also a good techinque!

You could also take it out in the backyard with your blaster......or do what I do: head down to Mos Eisley and start a bar fight! "No blasters," my A$$!!! :p

Uh, don't heat it sintra up with fire. It releases toxic gas. At least do it outside. I just made the dents with various dremel attachments. You can sand right into the sintra and make lots of different shapes.

LisaFett wrote:Uh, don't heat it sintra up with fire. It releases toxic gas.

It would be an embarrassing way to die, too.

"What happened?"
"He was killed while playing with his plastic Star Wars costume."

yeah that thought was running through my mind as I dremeled away at various parts of the jet pack. I knew not to hit the fiberglass (**** that stuff itches, I'd hate to get a nose-ful) and all the while as I melt away at various plastics I'm thinking, "wow, maybe this should be better ventilated... hmm..."

That would suck,
Phil

LisaFett wrote:Uh, don't heat it sintra up with fire. It releases toxic gas. At least do it outside. I just made the dents with various dremel attachments. You can sand right into the sintra and make lots of different shapes.

Hey Lisa, I love toxic fumes... Makes me feel all funny inside!!!

LOL journeyman, I was thinking the same thing the other day as I sat there sanding away at some resin parts for my gauntlets.....I made sure to do it outside....

Thank you all for the great advice and feedback.

I put the dents in the other night.

I sort of combined bfett81's and WPK's technique.

since i had already bent my armor and didn't want it to loose its shape, We had to be very careful with how to put in the dents.
So, My dad got out his heat gun and heated the back of the armor, then we needed to figure out a way to put the dents in without ruining its shape.
So then we put cardboard(since we new it would indent with the sintra) behind the piece of armor that was to be dented and when the sintra was heated enough, we took various sized metal rounded objects and pushed it into the different places until we got the desired dent.

I think it turned out realy well.
And we didn't have to worry about too many toxic gasses.
now i just need to paint and weather it.

BAH! Toxic fumes are just one of the perks.

Oh don't worry, there's enough toxic fumes from all the spray paint i've been using.