Thread: My props are melting need help

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I was in my garage the other day and noticed that one of my prop was starting to look rotted. I then noticed another that was falling apart too and it seems to be because of the heat. I set up a thermometer and it read 125. I have now invested in insulation but I fear that many more items are damaged. Is there a way to repair these items. I have some liquid latex laying around. Could it be used to repair the latex and rubber on these props?

Unfortunately there's not much you can do... You could try and patch the holes with liquid latex, but other than that there's nothing else you can do.

A word of advice - Store your props at room temperature at ALL TIMES! Extreme heat and cold just disintegrates the latex!

OUCH! That hurts. Latex props really need to be kept in cool, dry places. I store all of my latex stuff in bins in our basement. I'm thinking the liquid latex could work for repairs, then you just have to match paint to color.
I've had some cheap latex masks deteriorate over time, but these were 10+ years old. Other good latex props and masks I've had for close to 15 years and they look like new. Hope the repairs work.

Here are my same props in California's destructive heat.. No real cold weather here in my neck of the woods... i am gonna redo these props with some liquid latex and make the skull faces instead of demon types again. Hopefully it all works out! But I feel you pain buddy!

You have me worried and too afraid to head down to the basement and check out my props. I have this same gargoyle and now I am freaked that he may have suffered the same fate. It has been overly hot here in Western New York this summer, especially this past week.

Crap, I have to check my shed tomorrow.

In addition to painting the liquid latex by hand, you may want to go to your local auto parts store. I may have mentioned this before, but I have a black cat in similar distress. Once before, I found a 'rubberized/vulcanized' black spray paint, primarily utilized to repair damaged truck bed liners. It seemed to do the trick.

Now I don't know if it comes in other colors, but if worse comes to worse, you could probably paint over it by hand the desired color. Sadly, the last time I did this, was about 6-8 years ago, and I can't remember the brand name. I do, however remember that I got it at Auto Zone...

I have been telling my friend about this for a few years now and he just keeps poo-pooing me. I hope he sees this thread...he has some really cool masks from Spencers and we don't have one nearby anymore. I have been collecting since about 1980 and only lost one item which was plastic instead of latex. I'm pretty sure the gold paint broke it down and not heat since I have always kept my stuff in the house.

Originally Posted by Thom_Serveaux

In addition to painting the liquid latex by hand, you may want to go to your local auto parts store. I may have mentioned this before, but I have a black cat in similar distress. Once before, I found a 'rubberized/vulcanized' black spray paint, primarily utilized to repair damaged truck bed liners. It seemed to do the trick.

Now I don't know if it comes in other colors, but if worse comes to worse, you could probably paint over it by hand the desired color. Sadly, the last time I did this, was about 6-8 years ago, and I can't remember the brand name. I do, however remember that I got it at Auto Zone...

Along those same lines, I found that a product called "plasti-dip" is very useful. It's sounds similar to what was mentioned above, but it was designed for refinishing the handles on hand tools. You can get it in a spray or liquid at most big box home improvement stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.)

I have had this happen, I usually leave the door to my horror barn open, and close it when I know it is going to rain, if I am home, this has seemed to work for me. We have had temps over 100 degrees so far this year. I know alot of you probably cain't do this due to the area you live in, but if you can find some way to get ventilation out of the roof it will help.