What kind of paint should I use for customizing?
 

I'm not sure if there is a thread for this but I will like to know what kind of paint I should use on figures. I don't want the paint to ruin my figures like it did to my shredder figure. So any tips?

I, like many others, use Testors acrylic.

Where could I find that brand?

technically speaking, no matter what paint you use, you're going to ruin your figs.

Testors sucks. it bleeds too much. besides, it's hard to find non glossy colours in Testors. I usually use Games Workshop paints.

but if you're going to use Testors, the best place to get it is a hobby shop.

What is Games Workshops paint? And where could I find it?

I don't know if there's a Games Workshop near you.
but you can check their website http://www.games-workshop.com/gws

just click on paints and tools.

...Bleed? What do you mean?

have you ever used their gloss colours and noticed that the paint runs once its on a surface ?

no matter how little you use it still runs. that's what I mean by bleeds.

Only if I don't mix the paint thoroughly first.

I used GW paints as well. The actual brand of the paint is Citadel. Games Workshop are producers of many miniatures based table top games, and so their paint is top quality. I would recommend not getting the large paint sets though, as they tend to dry out on a long enough time line. SO I would buy colors as you need them.

I too swear by GW/Citadel paints, but have had the same frustrating problem with them drying out over time!

yeah, GW paints dry out pretty fast compared to other paints, but they're perfect for customs. another thing I use when I need gloss colours, believe it or not... is nail polish. it works great and you can find every colour you could imagine.


by the way raven, your She-Ra custom is awesome.

I could see that, but most polishes are super high gloss and wouldnt it make the figure smell like nail polish?

Permanent Markers or Paint pens are pretty handy as well.

since you're a guy, Im guessing that you dont know that nail polish comes in many different varieties. some polishes are super high gloss, but they do have flat colours as well. I usually only use nail polish for Hot Wheels and model cars, but sometimes I use it for certain details on a fig, like to give their eyes a glowing effect. and once nail polish dries it doesn't smell anymore.

Dear madam sexist,
Many men have worn nail polish since the 90's the entire idea of it being a women only thing is sort of passe.
Anyway I don't know what nail polish your using ma'am but every nail polish I've ever used has kept its stink to it after being dry, and I've not used just on nails but plenty of art pojects.
The best thing I could suggest is if your going to use nail polish is to coat it with a clear paint coat, not clear nailpolish coat we're trying to kill the smell not strengthen it. :P



But anyway if I was going to suggest a paint brand to use on custom figures and you want a glossy look or flat look this brand has both and may be a bit a expensive compared to other brand but it's great and worth it.
The brand name is Liquitex and you can find it at most craft stores like Michael or yarn and darn.

calm down Vaughn, who would have thought that a thread about paint would turn into a discussion about nail polish and male sexuality :D

to my knowledge, guys started wearing nail polish as early as the 70s. and I honestly couldn't care less what any guy wants to put on himself. I only said that to Archon cause Im assuming that he's a straight male. and as such, nail polish wouldnt be one of his areas of expertise. with that being said, Im well aware of your sexual preference and I have no problem with it.

and there is a nail polish I use that is water based so it doesn't have a smell to it. the only bad thing is that there arent that many colours, and you can only buy it online. if you want I can send you a link. :)

ive seen Liquitex paint before, but I didn't ever try it cause Im so used to my regular paint. but I'll give them a try.

I tried model paint from...WALMART!!! *thunder clap* I've never been big on customs though...not enough talent.

Sarah, love the Avi...now that I've finally actually seen PotP.

I'm the youngest and the only boy of 6, and I've been involved in various productions of the rocky horror picture show since I was 16. SO, while straight, you'd be surprised about how much I know about makeup...and corsets for that matter ;-)

Sarah, learn this now I joke allot even though my names not Jester..some other guy already took that one.
I guess your right but it really wasn't getting much notice until the goth scene of the late 80's and early 90's.
It's not the best thing to asume around here..I've thought plenty of members to be girls when they had been boys lol.
Lets see it's not a preference because if it was trust me I wouldn't choose this lonely @ss life. and just cause I likes the menz doesn't mean I'm a nail polish master. :P
That more has to do with the gothy and glam phases I had gone through growing up.
Liquitex is awesome I seriously suggest everyone uses it at least once.
And you are a better man for doing so!

i find that the best paint to use for customs is "Tamiya" brand acrylic paint. it just needs about 1-3 coats tops, and will dry completely so you will be able to hold the custom in your hands, unlike some enamel paints that if you hold the painted figure before applying clear glosscote/or/flatcote, your hand will get paint all over.

corsets? seems like we have a few things in common :)
I grew up with 4 brothers, which might explain my addiction to boys toys. :D
and The Rocky Horror Picture Show is another of my fav movies.

and you're right Vaughn, I shouldnt assume anything about anyone on the net, specially if I don't know them personally. most people online usually think that just cause Im a *chick* that collects toys that I must be fat or unattractive, but then they're shocked when they find out what I look like. (not that Im bragging) and it's funny that you mention the goth scene cause I still live the lifestyle. and I even work as a part time model for a Toronto based goth website.

thanks Jester :) Im glad that more people are starting to watch that movie.

I haven't used Tamiya paint myself, but a friend of mine casts his own figs in clear plastic and he uses the clear colours from Tamiya to give them a translucent look. they really are amazing

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm going to buy some of these paints tomorrow or later in the week. I have another question for you. I was planning on making the turtles in their foot uniforms using the new movie figures. Would that be a good base for them or should I use other figures?

You're not fat and unattractive? Aw, there go my fantasies :cry:

Stay on topic guys.

you mean the turtles in their foot uniforms from BTTS ?
probably the best figs to use would be the ones from 03
well, that's what id use.

Either those or the Fast Forward ones and sand their bodies down to get rid of the FF gear.

I use Folk Art and Apple Barrel brands of acrylic paint, both of which can be found in the craft section at Walmart for a reasonable price. Granted, my figures are mostly made out of paper and cardboard, but I've used them on plastic as well and the results were pretty good there too. The best thing you can do, if finances allow, is to buy several different brands of paint and see what works best for you.

Oh, and I use clear gloss nail polish on my figures at times, and the smell does go away after it dries. It only stinks when its wet--although I imagine that might vary from brand to brand.

I agree. Don't use the new movie figures. Theyre terrible on just about every level.

Thanks a bunch!

What parts of the ff gear should I sand off? Also what colors are their foot uniforms?