Ghostbusters Ghost Costume

Introduction

Hello Everyone,

First, I would like to thank you for viewing my instructable.
And, if you enjoyed it, please give me a vote!
Thanks....

When Ghostbusters first came out in 1984.
I just got out of the US Army.
My older brother had originally made this costume back in 1984.
26 year ago.


So, today I tried to duplicate what I remember from then.
As, I thought it was a very good costume.
I believe he took 1st place at some costume parties.

The costume is fairly easy to make.
Cheap too.
Costume total cost was under $25.

There are many different ways to do things, so I am showing
you the way I did it.
If you know of a better or cheaper way, let us know.

( I believe, there may be a Ghostbusters III coming out in 2012!)

Now onto the instructable...


If you like my instructable, please take a second and vote for me!

Step 1: Items Needed to Make the Costume

These are the items I used to make the Ghostbuster costume.

Materials Needed
$10    1 - 2" x 4' x 8' sheet of white foam (at your local home store)
$6       Paint (sample cans at your local home store)
            red and White
$4      1 - White Sheet (or take the one off your bed!)
$1      6 - Ceiling hooks
$1      6 - Rubber Bands
$3      Transparency film (or just freehand the drawing!)


Tools Needed
Jig saw
Router
Overhead projector (or freehand draw it)
Paintbrush
3/4 drill bit (for the eye holes)
Epoxy or white glue
Sandpaper (100 grit and 220 grit)

Now, onto transferring the logo to the foam...

Step 2: Transferring the Ghostbuster Logo to the Foam

You could free hand draw the logo, but I preferred to use my
overhead projector.
That way, I get everything in correct proportions.

Get the Ghostbuster logo above.
I converted the logo to a vector in Coreldraw.
I made a transparency with my laser copier.
Then I projected it onto the foam.
I used a red sharpie to outline the logo.

Now onto the next step...

Step 3: Cutting the Foam

I used my jig saw to cut the foam out.
My jigsaw just cuts, above the 2" foam thickness,
which made it very easy to cut.

I just laid the foam flat and cut on the lines.
Then there was only about 1/8" of foam left, where I just snap broke it.

You don't have to be exact as you can sand it, very easy.

Cutting the foam is very messy, I would recommend to cut it outside.
(it sticks to everything from the static)

Now onto the next step...

Step 4: Sand and Smooth Edges

I used a sanding block and 100 grit sandpaper.
You do want to give the foam contours, where needed.
As, in the hands and top part of the head.
I rounded all edges and corners.

Foam is very easy to sand, but very messy.
Something you want to do outside.

After sanding with the 100 grit, I switched to 220 grit.
That really smoothed it out.

Now onto the next step, routing the eyes, nose and mouth.

Step 5: Router the Eyes and Mouth (or Hand Carve Them!)

For the eyes, nose and mouth.
I used my router.
I did use a 1/2" half round bit.
The foam routed very easy.

I also routed a depression in the back for your nose.

I used a 3/4 drill bit for the eye holes.

You could also carve them out.

Next, we have to have a way to mount the face on our head.
So, I got some ceiling hooks and epoxied them onto the back of the foam.
Each hand will get 2 hooks and the face will get 2 hooks.

Then, stretch a rubber band across the hooks and you have your hand holds.

Now, some paint....

Step 6: Paint

You do want to paint the foam.
As the paint will act like a sealer.

First, I primed the foam then painted it.
I used sample paint from my local home store.
Cost about $3 a jar.
Red and White.
For the black I used some acrylic paint.

Now, the costume is ready!

Put the sheet over yourself.
Cut some eye holes in the sheet, or cut a hole in the sheet
and put your head through.
Slip into the "No" sign and put on the mask and hold onto the hands!

Happy Halloween!

Picture is worth a 1000 words!
GOOD LUCK and hope you win some contests!


I hope you enjoyed my instructable!

Oh, his name is "Angus"! lol