I want to customize a TRU Masterpiece Rodimus Prime into a black version. Steps that are completed: My steps to customizing my toy. 1. I want to disassemble the figure completely as possible without breaking anything. 2. I want to clean the pieces as perfectly as possible so the paint will come on perfectly. 3. I want to tint the windows and headlights to a reddish color. 4. I want to prevent the paint from cracking, peeling, smudging. 5. I want to give it a perfect, realistic, shiny metal finish. If any of you has any ideas, tips, suggestions, or videos on: 1. What tools, paint, brushes, and whatever else to use for customizing. 2. How long and how much to use for each step. I would greatly appreciate it that you post them in this thread.
You are going to want to begin by watching a ton of tutorials on youtube. I have found some of the videos that CustomsByZ have put out (Zildjian is an active member of these threads) to be the most helpful for beginners. There are a ton of others out there as well. Digging around youtube, as well as the tfw2005 threads, is the way to go. It may be time consuming, but there is a lot of great experience contained within these pages. But as a first step, CustomsByZ's "Guide to Disassembly and Preparation" is an essential watch for what you are talking about: https://youtu.be/1Ky4zcQAS5o Just my two cents. I am in no way, shape, or form an expert on Transformers customs.
Here's a good place to start: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/tutorials-how-tos/201900-table-contents.html
