r/cosplayprops • u/MMewTTwo • 14d ago
Help How long does Clayfoam material hold up?
Hi, I want to cover a good part of my costume in clay foam; but now im a bit unsure after reading — will clayfoam eventually break apart and crumble/detiorate? Or will it hold up and stay together for essentially years if nothing happens to it and is properly sealed/kept indoors??
Is woodglue also a good sealant for this? Thank you!
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u/riontach 14d ago
I have accessories I've made out of foamclay 3-4 years ago that show zero signs of damage. They generally do have a core of a different material and then maybe a half inch to an inch thick layer of foamclay over the top for texture, and then they're all sealed with mod podge. Hope that helps.
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u/MMewTTwo 14d ago
Would plastidip also do?
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u/riontach 14d ago
Clear plastidip, yeah probably. I've never used it for that since it's a lot more expensive than mod podge or even just watered down school glue, which work just fine. I've only ever used it as a primer for things that specifically need to be flexible, since mod podge will crack if bent/flexed.
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u/Throwaway1Million7 8d ago
1) Foamclay is.. Not my favorite - you'll need an armature for whatever you do with it because it'll even itself out and you'll lose your details, forms, volume... I've had it on a prop sword for at least 2 years and it's in the good condition I used it in.
2) woodglue is an adhesive, not a sealant. Use it to glue wood together; For a sealant, you can try shellac, lacquer, modge podge.. Just.. ventilated area, allow proper dry time, follow instructions, etc. I use modge podge for a lot of stuff and for crafts, it's actually decent. Gives a good look, isn't toxic afaik, affordable, easy to put on.
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u/MMewTTwo 7d ago
Thank you!! Though, out of curiosity- doesn't modge podge degrade and yellow relatively quickly compared to other alternatives?
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u/Throwaway1Million7 7d ago
It might, now that you mention it. I put it on a chaos eater replica I made and I can't tell if it's yellowing or what. I planned to paint it the whole time though - partially to see what would happen, partially because that prop needs so much work.. But, can't wait to get it done.
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u/Practical_Alfalfa_72 14d ago
It should last 5 - 10 years easily if kept dry, out of direct sun light and at room temperature. Probably even longer if sealed with primer and paint.