kind of a sucky time for another one of my masks. this time it’s what I consider to be my first ever accurate Myers mask. I got it back during the days of all the excitement and chaos of trying to nab one of the $40 '99 Shatners after it was found out they were no longer being produced. I was one of the lucky ones. I got it in September of '99, sent it to Denny “The Bogeyman” Lemaster to convert (which by the way, he said mine was the final Shatner he ever converted for a customer), and it came back to me just in time for Halloween 1999. just like my '85 The Mask, it’s doomed to dry-rotting. wish there was something I could have done to stop it, but I guess it just happens with these poorly-made masks being cranked out by companies over the last decade. it’ll be withered away pretty soon, but it was always one of my favorites!
but it’s comforting to know that the great Sam McCain acquired a '99 mold and is producing copies that are made to the exact specs of the originals. Sam? you reading this? if you happen to have a spare copy laying around that you just can’t seem to get rid of… are you feeling charitable this Christmas?
Aww that sucks man… Like you said though, the 99s are available again. So, its not like you lost a 75 kirk or something. Maybe Santa will bring you one this year.
Oh dude, that sucks. I lost two '85 The Masks to dry-rot, and a '99 (larger) Shatner as well. The Shatner actually only lasted 6 years for me. Maybe it was because I used actual appliance white spray paint on it
I HATE that feeling man. Save your pennies and grab a Shat from Sam when you can!
damit man! stories and pics like this always get me worried about my masks. but man that 99 shouldve lasted longer than that. DP must have used some very poor latex that round. i still got my don post ‘the mask’ i bought new in 96 and the latex isnt showing any signs of dry rotting. its the fact that my 13 year old don post is in good shape that gives me hope of my higher dollar masks lasting my lifetime.
I never heard of an “enlarged '99 Shatner” Ive owned 3 or 4 and they have all been the same size. I believe all the production copies were the same size. You may be reffering too the '98 Shatner (the 99’s have 1998 copyrights but are different sculpts) The 98 shatner looked great, but was enlarged before full production and looked pretty poor after the enlargement IMO. Im pretty sure thats what he means by a larger copy, just mistaked the dates and mask.
Its funny I am trying to do a Time line of how a mask rots by leaving a mask outside in the elements all the time its been out there since early October and I have take a picture of it every day, to make a video of it and it s been through massive storms, freezing cold, and heat. In the sun all day and it hasten even started to turn yet, amazingly tough mask.
No doubt! Imagine had you saved it in order to get it done today…& it deteriorated as it has before you had done so!
That’s a sad thing to see happen - at least you have the laser sculpt at HSS to fall back on. But, I gotta say that in my humble little opinion - NOTHING tops those REAL 98 Shats, man. I know of a few sculpts that maybe match them, but there’s something so magical about those original $40 to $90 (at the time I’m currently researching) Shat’s that were just absolutely outstanding & unbelievable accurate to The Hero when converted right
So sorry for your loss, but luckily we all have HSS to thank for a GRAND 99 copy - I’ve already seen a few conversions that are complete homeruns!
That gooey mess isn’t dry rot- that’s rot from being worn. The sweat and oils in your skin will break down rubber- just like when you see a rubber steering wheel cover become sticky and gooey from absorbing the sweat and oils from your hands.
That is sad to see man, sorry about that, this is why I like resin & silicone LOL but latex can last a hell of a long time to, seems more like a fluke that this happened, take care!