Blood for the Baron!

seriously thinking about customizing some figures and would realy appreciate some tips, like can i paint directly on the figure or does it need to be sanded down and primed, if so what should i rub it down with, what primer should i use and what paints work best for the original Action Force figures and the Articulated ones, what paint brushes work best etc etc....
i was quite surprised not to find a sticky on this subject what with all the custom posts...

any help would be very appreciated

I use Games Workshop paints depending on the original colour of the figure I sometimes undercoat also it depends on the colour you want to paint onto the figure. For example I painted a TIE fighter pilot using white then red to make it lighter but I painted a figure today brown over the gray of their uniform and it turned out ok.

do you rub down the figure or just paint directly onto it?

Paint directly on it as I have only changed uniforms and hair colour nothing too major again depending on your project but never do bright colours on a dark background they don't look too great

I just use white undercoat before the colour.

I also use citadel acrylics (games workshop) they dry much quicker !

do you seal them at all?

make sure you clean the figs before painting.
i always use an undercoat and also a dull varnish when finished.
Bill

is there a certain method of cleaning before painting plus when you seal do you paint or spray?

I've only painted vehicles, for which I use Plastikote sprays. Undercoat first, then the colour, normally only one coat needed and then a lacquer. There's a Which Paint? sticky thread.

Squad Leader wrote:is there a certain method of cleaning before painting plus when you seal do you paint or spray?

just hot soapy water, make sure its dry before you start to paint.
i ues an old brush for the varnish. used spray once but it warped the plastic.
Bill