[Grippen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberlad

Thanks for the tips (and the kind words)! I’ve used the nail polish remover before, and I usually try to wash figures first so the paint sticks, but I’ve never sanded anything down.

Anything I paint too much just ends up looking like...well, like I painted it. Here’s Conan custom I made to go with Sonja using an ultimate Thor head, Hercules torso, and thor 2-pack legs. I ended up painting a lot to get the skin tones to match. I like it, but if somebody walks by my action figure shelf, they could easily pick out the custom.

Paint thickness is important. You should try to give first a coat with a very "dry" paint. Pencil should be dry. You don't have to cover everything, the primary thing is to apply it as thin as possible. This will act as a primer. Not all paints allow this since some are quite liquid. If they are too liquid they can chip also more easily specially if you don't prep the parts.

I also use a similar technique.
1. Remove all paint applications with acetone. Not nail polisher because it takes more time and doesn't remove all. Industrial acetone works best but can burn plastic. Just ensure you don't rub it too strong.
2. Sand parts, first with low grit say 400 or 600 and later with a higher one to get ride of heavy scratches. Specially focus on parts that will rub each other. Try to make room for the paint apps.
3. Clean all parts with denatured alcohol. This alcohol can also be used as a thinner for acrylic paints. It's strong stuff but doesn't arms plastic that much. The washing with dish soap is also a good one. I use this because it dries quickly and I don't have a sink where I do my works.
4. Apply a quick almost dry brush paint layer. Make sure you cover everything but don't worry about pencil marks or shadows. Important is that it's really thin.
5. Give a second layer with a more liquid paint this time. Again don't use too much paint.
3. Give third layer, you can go a bit more heavy on the paint this time.
4. Let it dry well, specially in winter. You can also use a hair dryer to speed the process. Actually doing so will also help the paint to bound to certain plastics. If you don't let it dry well you may have problems later because after applying varnish, the paint underneath will never dry totally since it's sealed underneath leading to paint chips
5. Finish with a varnish, thin layers specially first time.