Looking to create a mock "latex" wall

akaREX · #1 09-01-2011

I am not sure what I need but I will give you the end result and see what materials the group would suggest.

The desire is to make a duplicate of an exterior wall that is plastic siding, with the ability to stretch, but then revert back to its original shape.

I would think that I can make a "negative" mold of the siding and then cast a "positive" of the form with for lack of a better descriptive material "latex".

Can any of the expert mold makers provide me with a direction or reference reading on this?

Thanks in advance.

Haunted Spider · #2 09-01-2011

Hello Rex.

What are you trying to stretch through the wall? I have created a fake wall of sorts but it was for an interior wall in a haunt and used black stretch material like a bathing suit. That way we could lean into the wall a good foot toward the patrons. I think you will find that latex will not give you the stretch you want. Ever tried stretching a latex mask? they don't go to far.

Dragon skin silicone stretches and would work better in my opinion. Smooth-on sells it. Hopefully someone here can give you some better advice as well.

Bone Dancer · #3 09-01-2011

Spandex (sp) would be your best bet to do what you are looking to do. Unless you can find some thin latex material simular to what balloons are made of.

RoxyBlue · #4 09-01-2011

If you can give a few details about how this will be used in your haunt, that will be helpful. The suggestions about using a stretchy material are good ones.

flesh1031 · #5 09-01-2011

I wonder if you made a frame, on the sides make the "stepping" of the siding.... then ran lines of an elastic from the bottom of the "step" on one side to the other, then.... run a big piece of nylon or some other stretchy material over the whole rig attaching it to the pieces of elastic and the sides, it would create a surface that would stretch back to normal and you could even back light it to give it more effect.... if that made any sense at all.

|\ < the frame would look like this on both sides, you could stretch
|\ the elastic from the underside of the ridges on one side to the
|\ other. then stretch the nylon or whatever over the rigging
|\ stapling it as many times and places as possible on the way
|\ down both sides. you can then attach the elastic to the nylon
|\ a fabric glue or if you are so bold sew it.

sorry i couldn't draw with text better, hope that gives you some directions to go or ideas to hatch out. ~Flesh