Custom Paint Jobs

[Hero]

I recentley acquired a set of the TMNT reissues and thought I'd try my hand at custom painting.

The figures themeselves are fine, but the plain weapons could have done with a touch up that Playmates could have given.

So, I stopped by Games Workship (In fact my 2nd bus-stop to Uni is directly outside it) and bought a pot of Mithryl Silver (I love the names these paints have!) to add some 'blade' effect to the otherwise dull looking katana swords, sai daggers and nunchaku ends.

The Result

The paint is sadly peeling a bit and the finish is rubbery. Not sure where I am going wrong, but I am wondering whether I am not letting it try for long enough or I've just bought the wrong style of paint.

===KEN

[legios]

Feb 8, 2009 13:07:03 GMT Hero said:

The Result

The paint is sadly peeling a bit and the finish is rubbery. Not sure where I am going wrong, but I am wondering whether I am not letting it try for long enough or I've just bought the wrong style of paint.

===KEN

You may be getting a reaction between the paint and the plastic of the toys. What did you use as a primer? Last time I was working on soft-ish plastic I used a car primer spray can with reasonable results. (The paint job itself failed, but that was for other reasons.)

Karl

[Hero]

Primer? I'm a bit daft sorry.

I assume that's a first coating. I did that and painted over again after a couple of hours and found that mixing a equal-ish amount of water with the paint really helped. Shame I did'nt use water to start with .

===KEN

[mellowshade]

GW primer is generally available in spray form. It is not essential but can improve your overall finish. Metals look best when painted over black. If you give them a wash after it gives depth and detail. Also water the paint down slightly with some water and apply several thin coats rather than one thick one straight out of the bottle.

I would start with black where the metal is going, begin with chainmail, add some badab black wash then drybrush with chainmail and then again with mithril silver. That will give a metallic finish but if you want a cartoony look dont do the drybrushing just use the one silver.

[Hero]

Ta very much for the tips Mellowshade and Karl. They are working wonders. Will post an update in the morning when the results are more dry.

[legios]

No worries. Looking forward to hearing how things went.

Karl

[mellowshade]

I look forward to seeing the results. I am adding detail to Animated Swindle when he's done I'll post pics. In the meantime here are some bad pics of my detailing to Universe Cyclonus.

[The Doctor]

Looking good.

-Ralph

[Andy Turnbull]

Looks pretty damned good!

Andy

[Hero]

Great job bud. Hope to see more pics

[mellowshade]

Here's some pics of Swindle.



Here I've filled in the windows to match the front ones and blocked out the paint that was only applied to the front of the vehicle mode.



Here, painted the rear window, upper lights, indicator lights, vents, bumper and license plate.



Here is the robot mode. The black has been added to the feet, waist and torso detail. Purple has been added to the torso lights and projectors on his back. The neck has been painted metal so that his tie in black is better defined.



Here the torso details can be seen better.



On the arm the purple has been extended after the clear plastic ends and detail has been added to pick out the palm projector.

[Hero]

Feb 9, 2009 22:12:31 GMT legios said:

No worries. Looking forward to hearing how things went.

Karl

Nothing special, but a little thing that makes a big difference



And... Wow! Mellowshade. That Swindle looks top dollar, err shanix! I did'nt know the figure was out yet.

[mellowshade]

Feb 13, 2009 0:13:44 GMT Hero said:

Feb 9, 2009 22:12:31 GMT legios said:

No worries. Looking forward to hearing how things went.

Karl

Nothing special, but a little thing that makes a big difference



And... Wow! Mellowshade. That Swindle looks top dollar, err shanix! I did'nt know the figure was out yet.

That metal is looking good!

Swindle isn't out here yet. I got shipped two Henkei Powerglides by accident so swapped the spare with someone for Swindle, Blurr and Cyclonus.

[legios]

Looks like some good work from both of you there. Those blades have a nicely metallic visual texture Ken, and the detailing work on Cyclonus and Swindle is pretty good Mellowshade. Nice work.

Karl

[Hero]

Is that a copy of Cereal Geek I see with Swindle?

Ta for the compliments on the 'Henkei' Turtles Karl . I may look into touching up the Nunchaku on Michaelangelo also.

I touched up Universe Prowl's shoulder launchers and gun with the same chrome. Pics later when the work is dried off.

[The Doctor]

Cool beans. I lack the skills to do paint jobs so I take my hat off to those who can.

-Ralph

[Hero]

It's about trail and error, bud. I hope I can do better with custom painting if the occasion calls for it. I hope you guys like the small adjustment I made to Universe Prowl, a change which I think has done the toy some justice. Pic up later.

===KEN

[mellowshade]

Feb 13, 2009 23:19:38 GMT Hero said:

Is that a copy of Cereal Geek I see with Swindle?

Ta for the compliments on the 'Henkei' Turtles Karl . I may look into touching up the Nunchaku on Michaelangelo also.

I touched up Universe Prowl's shoulder launchers and gun with the same chrome. Pics later when the work is dried off.

What's a cereal geek? You see Babylon 5 series 1, a Terry Prtchett book about realworld cultuer and a box of tools.

You are right about the trial and error Hero. All the problems that come with adding paint to a figure need to be looked at. I would like to be able to repaiunt figures entirely, I have a couple of proffessional airbrushes now buut need to test them on proper minatures before turning them onto a TF.

Keep practising with little things until you feel confident. I have an advantage in that I paint games workshop miniaturs so have tools, paints, brushes and all the miscelaneous crap that should make this customing easy. Swindle's painted bits have been given a coat of matt varnish. It still looks shiney. Might try watering it downa a bit or applying to the whole figure with an airbrush. Again its all trial and error to see what gives a good finish.

[Hero]

Cereal Geek is a really good zine about 80's toons. The font used underneath Swindle look familiar to the episode guides printed in the zine.

I'll certainly work on the little things and hopefully perfect my craft some more

Keep the pics coming, Mellowshade.

===KEN

[mellowshade]

Cheers. Animated Soundwave is next for the painting treatment.

[Dark Stranger]

LOVE that license plate for Swindle Lee, hahahahaha!!

Have some karma!!

[mellowshade]

Here's a preview of a work in progress:

[Hero]

Have some karma for that!

===KEN

[mellowshade]

Cheers!

Here are some 99% done pics. I got to do something with the rear lights and maybe the license plate. The paint is a bit tempermental so I shall be leaving it alone till the new dullcoat varnish I ordered arrives.

[Andy Turnbull]

It looks really good.

Andy