universe 2.0 classics starscream to thundercracker

I'm new here and thought by way of introduction I'd make a thread for a repaint I've decided to do. I used to paint a lot of models so I thought this might not be too difficult for me.

I don't have a lot of spare time right now so it might take me a while, but I figure this will be more fun and less expensive than trying to get a Henkei or Botcon Thundercracker.

I decided to go with repainting a Universe 'Classics 2.0' Starscream as I thought the white-ish plastic used in the figure would be easier to paint than the green on an Acid Storm.

For anyone thinking of doing this, note the engine nozziles are not molded in gray plastic. I was pretty surprised when it started coming off to reveal blue plastic underneath. Also for some reason the silver on the tailfins came off easily but the silver on the wings (as you can see in the picture) didn't.

Thankfully the parts done in blue plastic (feet, engine nozzles and forearms/hands) are going to be painted black, which should be easy enough. The rest is white plastic and will be painted in blue, black (tailfins and the spot on the legs) and a light grey.

I want to do something other than the curved red/silver lines on the wings - I figured some lightning bolts would look nice alongside classic Starscream and Skywarp's paint jobs.

Also, thank you anovassin for the tutorial video on how to remove pins.

I've just started on it yesterday. As you can see from the one attached picture, I've only (mostly) stripped the paint from the figure.

My next two steps are 1) to paint the blue plastic pieces to black, though I'm trying to figure if there's a way to safely remove the engine nozzles from the tailfins first and then 2) to paint the rest of the legs.

[update, Oct 12]

Well, I've got the limbs and cockpit/chest painted, as you can see. The main body and wings remain. Putting the pins back in place was a real pain in the rear! Not sure how to tackle the body yet, honestly I'm starting to think I'd be better off dying all of the parts as it is.

Attached Thumbnails

     

How did you get him so white?

The main thing I noticed about this figure when I got it was that it was very bright, especially compared to the other figures. The body was the worst offender, to me. That almost fluorescent red/orange paint used on it was just too much.

Anyways, the universe classic 2.0 Starscream is made of that really white plastic. I stripped the paint with 91% isopropyl alcohol and that is the end result.

I took the figure apart, including a few pins, and soaked the parts in the rubbing alcohol for a few hours. The paint wiped right off after that; I used cotton swabs to get the corners and smaller details. Now I've almost got the action figure equivalent of a coloring book.

If you have an acid storm you can use the black arms and feet for Thundercracker because they are already black so you won't have to worry about paint chipping on those areas that have moving parts. Good luck!

omg! it's G2 PINK starscream!!!!!

You know, I hadn't even noticed that at first. I was thinking of altering my Acid Storm figure anyways (F-23, though I've no idea if I could make it work), so this saves me some trouble. Thanks!

when repaints go awry... there's always G2.

Legs and arms mostly complete, just need a little detail added, The cockpit / chest is mostly done, too, I just have to restore the face. For anyone who feels like doing this themselves: it's easier if you just remove the head and don't strip the paint from it.

I'm using Testors enamel sprays and while I like the colors I'm really not digging the texture. It's smooth but, well, sticky. I've had that problem before and I've never fully been able to get rid of it. I thought the clear coat would help but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. Any suggestions?

I'm thinking I may be better off stripping the paint and just dying the parts at this point. It'd be a lot easier on the joints - though I tried to keep the paint as thin a coat as possible some of them still aren't moving very well. At least if they're dyed it would be easier to move.

Also, he's awfully shiny. That's probably just because I used glossy paint, but I figured it wouldn't be quite as pronounced.