Zombie Appliance

Instructions

 

Supplies Needed:

SpatCave Studios Adhesive Kit

SpatCave Studios Paint Kit or Acrylic paints or make-up

Cotton Swabs

Talcum or Baby Powder

Alcohol

Make-Up Sponges

 

Each foam latex appliance is unique. Variations in color, edging and details is normal.

Before starting, make sure that whoever is going to be wearing the appliance is not allergic to any of the materials being used by testing small amounts on the inside of the elbow, under the arm or any other sensitive skin. Wait a few minutes, and if a rash is caused, do not continue the application.

Be sure to read all instructions thoroughly and carefully before starting. Many of the Application Materials will stain or damage clothes, so be sure to take precautions.

Preparation

First, be sure to clean and dry your model’s skin thoroughly to remove any make-up, oil or dirt from their skin.

You may notice a strange smell coming from the foam latex, that’s normal and will go away once applied. If it’s really strong, you can gently wash the appliance in warm, soapy water and allow to thoroughly air dry.

Once dry, check to make sure the appliance fits. Our appliances are generally sized, and should be able to fit most people. If the appliance extends too far, or has extra flash or unwanted material in an area you don’t want it (in the eyes, around the nose, etc.) remove the excess by gently tearing away the excess. The best way I’ve found is to hold the appliance tightly with your thumb and forefinger at the point where you want to remove the excess. Then, using your other hand, slowly tear away the foam that you don’t want. You can also cut the foam with sharp scissors, but the straight edge that results will look unnatural and be difficult to hide. Tearing creates a more natural edge that is easier to blend to skin later.

Make sure to move the model’s hair out of the way, and cover their clothes to prevent any staining.

If you’re using the Zombie Eyes appliance, put a little petroleum jelly on your model’s eyebrows to prevent them from getting stuck in the adhesive later.

Application

Once you’re sure the appliance will fit and your model’s skin is clean and you’re sure they’re not allergic, it’s time to apply!

You can use paint brushes to apply the adhesive, but they will usually end up being destroyed and thrown out. Using cotton swabs will work just as well, and you won’t feel bad about throwing them out afterwards!

I find the easiest way to get the best possible bond that will last a long time is to use a professional latex based adhesive (included in our Application Kits). Apply a thin coat of adhesive to the skin where the appliance will attach. Don’t worry if you apply the adhesive outside the area, or miss an area that the appliance will cover. We can touch that up later.

While that’s drying, apply a thin layer to the inside of the appliance. By applying the adhesive to both the skin and the appliance, you’ll be making a very strong bond that will last a lot longer than if you only applied it to one side or the other.

Allow the adhesive to dry (it will turn clear), then slowly and carefully place the appliance onto the skin, starting with the center and working outwards from there. When the dried adhesives touch, they will bond on their own.

If you accidentally bond a part that you don’t want to bond, or if the appliance glues back to itself, use a small amount of alcohol to reactivate the adhesive to make it wet again so you can make your adjustments.

If you missed a part, just use more adhesive to glue it back down.


Blending

Once the appliance is in place and glued down, any edge that is harsh or not blending smooth to skin can be blended smooth with some adhesive mixed with a thickening agent (we include “spackle” in our application kit).

Use the spackle to smooth out the edges and hide the seams. Allow the spackle to dry, and then you can go back in with some alcohol on a cotton swab and blend it even smoother. You can also use a Make-Up Sponge to help texture the spackle as it’s drying to make it look more like skin. And you can speed up the drying time of the spackle (and the adhesive as well) with a hair dryer.

Once the edges are blended I like to use the regular adhesive and cover the entire outside of the appliance with a thin layer. This will seal the foam latex and make sure your paint or make-up will stick to it better. Depending on the type of make-up you’re doing, you may also want to apply some adhesive to your model’s skin past the edge of the appliance. This way the paint or make-up you’re going to apply will sit on the skin the same way it sits on the appliance.

Once all the adhesive and spackle is dry, seal the latex by gently powdering the appliance with talcum or Baby Powder. This will remove any tackiness from the appliance and prep it for paint.

Painting

There are many ways to paint one of these appliances. The easiest (and cheapest way) is to use foundation creams and other make-up found at your local drug store.

Another method is using acrylic paints mixed with the latex adhesive used to apply the appliance. This can be applied with a brush, or airbrushed.

Remember, make the recessed and deep areas dark (brown, purple, even almost blue), while keeping the highest raised points in a lighter shade of that same dark area, with the regular skin being somewhere in between.

Be sure to remember to blend all the skin to be the same color. Don’t forget to paint your model’s ears, neck, arms, and other parts of exposed skin. The more uniform and complete your paintjob is, the more natural and real your make-up will look.

Detailing

Once you’re painted up, details you can add are blood, tooth stain, dirt, etc.

Another great detail is oversized fake teeth. They help make the rest of the skin look small, shrunken and desiccated.

And don’t forget to dress your model correctly! A gross, bloody make-up looks silly if they’re wearing clean, fresh clothes!

Removing

Once you’re all done, it’s time to take the appliance off! Do not just rip it off. That can be very painful, and bad for your model’s skin.

Using a cotton swab dipped in the remover that’s included in the Application Kit, start at an edge of the appliance and slowly work your way under the appliance. Keep doing this little by little until the appliance has been completely removed. Remember to take your time with this.

If removed carefully, a foam latex appliance can sometimes be reused once, or even twice.

Enjoy!


Prices subject to change without notice.


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