Thread: Laytex props - Is there a way to preserve them?

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Like many / most of you, I have some latex over foam props that I have been displaying for years. As they age the latex seems to dry and crack. Repare is difficult or impossible - as far as I know.

I'm aware of some basic preventive measures you can take to help these props last a bit longer, but maybe some of you know more about it and can chime in with some suggestions / tips. Here's what Ive been told in the past:
1. Before storeage each year condition the prop with a spray of good quality leather or vinyl conditioner NOT ARMORAL.
2. Place Latex prop in an air tight bag.
3. Store prop in a cool place.
4. If possible, when displaying the prop, keep it out of direct sunlight.

Ok ... your suggestions and / or corrections please ....

Guess this would be for masks too, huh? ...

Just like for masks, don't crush or let the prop get mis-shaped.

There is not a whole lot you can do for latex that is why I don't use it to make my prop heads.
I'm a Dragon skin person all the way.

What is dragon skin?

Originally Posted by LT Scare

What is dragon skin?

It is 100% pour-able silicone that can be colorized any way you want and was used
to make the skin T-Rex and anaconda the snake and many others. Love-able thing in Horror flixs. as well as My props. and it doesnt bio-degrade ever.

Sounds like cool stuff. Bet it's expensive. Too bad there isn't a clear, drying silicon spray that could be used to permently seal Laytex props. This would add years to their life.

Blinky, don't you have a recipe for making your own dragon skin? I thought I saw that somewhere.

Originally Posted by LT Scare

Sounds like cool stuff. Bet it's expensive. Too bad there isn't a clear, drying silicon spray that could be used to permently seal Laytex props. This would add years to there life.

I Have never tried it that way, it comes clear and you add the color you want.
once you mix part A with B in equal amounts you then can brush it on or in molds Like I do to make the prop heads hollow,hmm you nay have hit on something. thinking real hard on it.

Originally Posted by Rikki

Blinky, don't you have a recipe for making your own dragon skin? I thought I saw that somewhere.

Dragon Skin is a compound I use . what you saw was a tutorial on how to use it.But I don't make this product.
I think this is what you are talking about

Oh, okay. That must have been what I saw.

So it's just 100% silicone? Is it the same stuff as the pure silicone caulk you can get at Lowe's? I bought some of that last year to make my own silicone dipped flicker bulbs. It wasn't too thick and tutorials I read said that you could add color to it.