Minor/Repaint: My 1st paint job-Swindle WIP (please help?)

Discussion in 'Radicons Customs' started by ORIO, Nov 19, 2009.

  1. ORIO

    ORIO Team Sentinel Prime Moderator News Staff

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    Eh... I'm not too happy with how this came out but I would love some feedback for what I did wrong so the next figure will come out better (Help me grow!!!)

    Anyway, this is for YourReflections Brutality kit. It's Energon Strongarm and there are four things I wanted to accomplish with this. Paint his the vehicle hood purple, change the red on his shoulders and brow to Purple and get rid of the 'bot symbol.

    No problem with the last one. So, I washed the figure, masked off the pieces with masking tape, hit it with Krylon Fusion Primer, and used Model Masters purple pearl acrylic paint.

    Now, the part that came out messed up (probably due to me being over ambitious) was the hood. I attempted to mask off the little lines to leave some yellow on the hood. Well, when I removed the tape I had purple and primer everywhere. Not sure what I did wrong? Did I use the wrong type of masking tape? Or did I not mask stuff off well enough? Was it the brand of primer or paint that I used?

    Anyway, I touched him up with some black sharpie and he looks better and I can live with it for now, but I'm gonna try again when I find another Strongarm. Sorry for the pics. I can post some better ones if need be.

    EDIT: Some new pics from my digital camera instead of cell phone. Still working on learning how to take good pics AS WELL AS customizing :)  So much to learn in this new hobby!
     

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    Last edited: Nov 19, 2009
  2. maximus_primal

    maximus_primal Autobot

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    A little better pics would help see what it looks like to tell what might have gone wrong.
     
  3. Demonss

    Demonss Well-Known Member

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    My guess is that you didn't mask it off good enough.

    I'm no paint pro, but that's not really a terribly large area, I might have considered using just a brush for that area.
     
  4. bellyboy

    bellyboy working working working

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    second on that

    a brush is a better tool for paint ,spraying is not as easy as it seems .

    which kind of masking tape did u use ?
     
  5. eisen

    eisen "CUT ME SOME SLACKS!"

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    can i sig? :D 

    and thirded. it's probably due to overspray i think. still it's looking good :thumb 
     
  6. spoonman

    spoonman I make bots.

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    Best advice I could throw at ya is to take your time. Multiple thin coats of brush on or spraypaint is the only approach to take. If you're brushing, brush from the tape to the plastic. That will prevent build up in the seams. Other than that it's really all about practice dude. Check out the tutorials here on the site and good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing how you do!
     
  7. Demonss

    Demonss Well-Known Member

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    I've found in just about every occasion I can produce better results than with spray paint.. There's too many variables that affect the spray coming out of a spray paint can.

    I'm sure it'd be different if I had an air brush, but spray paint.. Meh..
     
  8. Satomiblood

    Satomiblood City Hunter

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    To be honest, I think using a can of spray paint for a few spots on a scout figure is a little much. If this is your first paint attempt, I recommend brush painting until you get a handle on things.
     
  9. Nemesis Predaking

    Nemesis Predaking Offical Enforcer WTF@TFW Veteran

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  10. lotussouljah

    lotussouljah Well-Known Member

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    I have no advice as YR's kit will be my first attempt as well. I'm glad you have this up and (no offense intended) made a few mistakes so yourself and the rest of us can learn. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us Orio! Honestly, your Strongarm doesn't look so bad....but you're right, it could always be better! :D 

    By the way, nice fingernails. Or did you hire a hand model for that shot? :p 
     
  11. ORIO

    ORIO Team Sentinel Prime Moderator News Staff

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    Will try to get some up when I'm off work

    I did use a paint brush. :eek: 

    Just regular ol' masking tape

    Thanks :) 

    Ok, brush away from the tape. good call. I just coated it completely. thanks! And yeah, I love the tutorials. This project was referanced back and forth between PMs and checking out tutorials :) 

    Yeah, Paint brush. Only thing that was sprayed was the primer and the clear gloss coat.

    Yup, I did use a brush. :eek: 

    Thanks! I never clicked on the flames one because I didn't think it would apply. Thanks again!

    Well consider this my "What not to do tutorial" :lol 

    Those hands are all mine baby
     
  12. Satomiblood

    Satomiblood City Hunter

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    But not for the primer, correct? All I'm saying is that for such a small area, I would've primed it with a brush as well.
     
  13. ORIO

    ORIO Team Sentinel Prime Moderator News Staff

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    Correct. I didn't know they made a primer that you could brush on. Can you recommend a brand/type?
     
  14. Lumpy

    Lumpy Taylor Swift Action Master Super Mod

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    SEE! this is exactly why you shoulda come over to help paint my new house... you woulda had skills son!

    jk

    once i get moved in you'll have to come over and we can paint together man! then we can screw things up together and figure out how to make them better...
     
  15. Lumpy

    Lumpy Taylor Swift Action Master Super Mod

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    SEE! this is exactly why you shoulda come over to help paint my new house... you woulda had skills son!

    jk

    once i get moved in you'll have to come over and we can paint together man! then we can screw things up together and figure out how to make them better...
     
  16. Satomiblood

    Satomiblood City Hunter

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    Well, I don't know of an actual brush-on primer either, but I've primed with flat gray craft paint by brush before...if that makes any sense.
     
  17. Demonss

    Demonss Well-Known Member

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    Could the fact that the paint was spray paint also have affected it's ability to be brushed properly also?
     
  18. yourreflection

    yourreflection Well-Known Member

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    Hey man,

    I'm going to start painting my Swindle today so maybe we can walk through this together? One thing I thought about was that maybe you could try dry brushing the layers of purple on. You wouldn't get a huge saturation of paint at one time so you would be able to control it a bit better. I'm going to give this a try.

    Also, you don't need a new figure Orio. You can always wait to the paint is fully cured then sand, primer and repeat.

    I'm working from home today so I'll have an opportunity to primer my Strongarm today a lunch time. I'll update my thread today and we'll walk through this together.
     
  19. Sioce

    Sioce Radicon in training

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    IF you feel the need to spray again. Don't use regular masking tape.
    You need to hit an automotive paint store.
    They carry a type of maskin tape that is very skinny and made for tiny details (can't remember the name for the life of me)
    I used to use it for flame jobs on cars, as well as smaller paint projects.
    If you are going to go the brush route then just make sure you thin the paint a little and apply several coats.
    Hope to see it finished and you happy.
     
  20. Demonss

    Demonss Well-Known Member

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    Just watched these videos.. Fantastic work man!
    I will attempt to use this for some upcoming custom work! :)