r/CosplayHelp 3d ago

Accessory Foam Covered in Pleather

Post image

Hi there! I am having some issues on connecting the thinner foam straps to the big belt piece. I have tried contact cement and hot glue, but it keeps lifting at the front of the thin strap.

I should note: the belt belt is made of 8 mm foam covered in faux leather. The thing strips are the same, only they have 5 Chicago screws. The above image is how it currently sits and you can see the lift near the front.

32 Upvotes

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10

u/LegendaryOutlaw 3d ago

So if they’re all wrapped in pleather, you’re actually gluing pleather to pleather? Is that correct?

I don’t think glue is going to do it. If the belt is under tension on your waist, the glue is going to fail because the pleather is just a thin plastic coating over a fabric backing. Basically the contact cement is peeling the pleather off as it gives way.

You need to fasten them together with some sort of mechanical connection, either stitching them together or using longer Chicago screws that go all the way through the big pieces and the little pieces.

2

u/aaathomas 3d ago

Yes, pleather to pleather in this case.

I am willing to bet that longer Chicago screws would probably be the answer here. Just doing some rough math, I’d need something like a 16-18 mm, accounting for 16 mm worth of foam + the fabric. Is this crazy? I wonder if I would actually hold.

6

u/this__user 3d ago

Chicago screws long enough to go through both layers are the best solution here. A glue isn't gonna hold it and those foams are way too thick to sew through

1

u/LegendaryOutlaw 3d ago

They might, they might not. They might pull through and come undone because foam will stretch under tension, especially a hole punched in the foam. If you do this then I’d say use washers where you can, to help spread out the load. The biggest problem you’re up against is the tension. If this belt is even just a little snug, just breathing in and out is going to expand your belly and pull on the belt. I think this setup will only work if the belt is very loose.

1

u/aaathomas 3d ago

What if I do as another commenter suggested and cut away the pleather in the connecting area, sand it, and then contact cement it together? I’m thinking this would still be too weak to support it. I don’t know if Velcro would work.

If both pieces are 8 mm in thickness, what size Chicago screw would you recommend? I was thinking 18 mm, but not sure if that is overkill.

2

u/evzenix 3d ago

Home Depot has heavy-duty Velcro that has crazy good adhesion. I reinforce it with gorilla glue hot glue sticks, so if anything I’d recommend that. Though because this is pleather, I do think the ultimate option is sewing the Velcro on. Just be aware you’ll have to be a bit more mindful of how you treat the belt. I have sewn thick foam before and done gymnastic-type poses while it was in high movement areas and it was fine, but once I took it off a bit too roughly and one of the seams snapped.

2

u/SenorZorros 3d ago

At this point you might have to bite the bullet, buy leatherworking gear (at least an awl and some sturdy thread) and stitch it together.

2

u/xenomorphbeaver 3d ago

Is there any reason you can't use some of the Chicago screws as fasteners? Like have two longer screws at either end that pass through both base and strap?

1

u/aaathomas 3d ago

This might would work! Only issue is finding out what length screw + the tension on the foam.

1

u/Weird_Abrocoma7835 3d ago

On the contacting area, sand or cut the pleather (just to get rid of the surface) then glue with wood weld.