Yeah, that's not happening, with an increase in KO and stolen CADS, stuff we may have gotten, just won't happen in this day and age. Which is kind of sad as Japan is one of the few places that a "group trust" ideology still exist.

 

Thanks for your insight, Rich! Would you still consider 29+ a "painted" figure? Still seems there's a level of opacity to the coating, especially since I'm not seeing the metal flake of the plastic through it. Surely the blue you cite lends to a level of opacity. Like I mentioned, seems very different from the clear coats of MP-06 & 07 and not too dissimilar to a few other painted figures in the line. To your eye, does it look like Ironhide and Sideswipe use the same technique? I'm especially thinking of how Sideswipe's red paint is affected by the red plastic underneath when comparing the more maroon/burgundy of MP-12 vs the more vibrant red of 12+.

Hey, man, you were the one that brought me up. The references to being "pooh pooh'ed," being told you have "inferior eyes," and feeling you've been somehow vindicated all refer to me per our back and forth upon 29+'s release.

Yes, brother, you're absolutely right (as usual!) about some of those bare plastic parts I mentioned being a different kind of plastic. The true plastic that needs to be observed is under the skirts and inside the boots, like you and Rich point out. I could be wrong, but comparing those areas on Shockwave and then looking at Ironhide and Sideswipe+'s painted surfaces compared to their bare plastic, I'm thinking they all share the same or similar technique. Maybe even MP-21 Bumblebee, too, now that I've just picked him up.

Wait, so your copy couldn't even bend an elbow?! Jeez, man! Good thing you're so handy and have a gift for customizing! Btw, how well do the boots on your copy hold together? The right boots on both my og and + don't really stay tabbed, but the left on my + is a bit weak there, too.

 

I got one on eBay from a Tawainese seller on the known "good" list and had no problems: 100% Takara Transformers MP-29+ Plus Destron Laserwave Shockwave & Coin NEW 4904810102298 | eBay This listing is priced at $190 w/ free shipping and I got it during a 15% flash sale, so in the end was $165.

I think several others got it from known eBay seller animetropolis for around the same price too.

 

I was thinking Ironhide shared a similar process for paint apps and possibly TT mp-10. I don't see the reasoning behind painting the same color over a colored plastic which is what is leading me to think it's a glaze. Sideswipe also has a similar look. I can reach out to some old pals from Hasbro for any insight on how it works. My ex used to paint protos there! I think for My Little Pony, though...  

 

Yeah, man, if you have the time and energy I know I'm not the only one who'd love to know more! That's incredible, dude. I should've known you were so well connected!

Maybe this process is cheaper and/or more durable? Maybe requires less paint/pigment allowing the plastic underneath to do some of the work. Sure looks lovely!

 

I still think it’s actually paint, but I’d be willing to accept a tinted clear coat as the answer. I had no idea a tinted clear coat existed. I assumed it would be clear or it would be paint.

As to why they would paint the same colour on the plastic, I believe it just makes it look higher end with a shinier finish. More bling. Same reason they painted MP-10, Ironhide, Ratchet, Inferno etc. Imagine if your car wasn’t painted and just had coloured plastic panels with no finish. That would look nasty. But I believe you’re a paint expert so I’m most likely preaching to the choir here.

That’s cool that your ex used to paint Hasbro protos! Very interesting!

 

Ironhide has interesting paint for sure. Could be some kind of tinted top coat as well. I wonder if perhaps Tracks also uses something similar, I need to look at his unpainted area.

DML I remember you were the first one who pointed out that Takara's MP-10 had paint (I wasn't even sure at the time, it was certainly a special kind of paint), I know you've got a great eye for this.

I've stripped the paint off an MP-21, and it was pretty paint-like, so I'd say that was a more traditional technique.


The boots seem to hold together fine so far, better than on my regular 29.

Nah it wasn't the elbow, it was the actual shoulder. Could stretch outwards, but couldn't move forward or backwards. Basically the shoulder ratchet was blocked (because there was no spring inside to allow it to work). Yeah better it happen to me than someone else, at least I can fix it  

Would be great if you could share some insights from the people on the inside!

In any case it seems TT have definitely experimented with a few different painting techniques. Hopefully MP-44 has the best yet!

 

I'm an expert in painting with oils, acrylics, etc. I'm a 15 yr professional illustrator and full-time art prof. if that means anything, but I don't know about toy paint application. A lot of friends from undergrad at RISD went to work for Hasbro including an exgf. I sent her a message and reached out to others, but we haven't kept in touch much over the years. I have a kid and now live in Boston so getting to Rhodey isn't an option unless to see my family (I grew up there as well).

Try stripping the paint off 29+?

 

Hehe, I'll let someone else do that I think  

For the greater good!  

 

True. Sad.

 

Mind sharing the seller? Have a buddy looking for a 2nd one without the plug after a mishap trying to remove it

 

sorry for the delay, just saw this. local guy in ontario. toy trove.

 

Were there every any upgrades made for MP-29+? I'm hoping for a replacement head like shadow fisher makes for MP-29

 

Apparently MP-29+ has a different head from the original MP-29.

 

Nope, not yet. Still no KO either.

 

So what's the consensus? I just got Shockwave MP-29+ and I already had MP-29, and I STILL can't decide which is more toon accurate. But I guess I'm curious about everyone's opinion on two points:

1. Which do you feel is more toon accurate?

2. Which do you feel looks better with other MP's?

 

(For me) MP-29+ is more toon accurate. The main purple color on both versions are arguably equally inaccurate, but I feel the hue on 29+ matches the cartoon better even if it's too saturated. However, there are at least a dozen or so shots throughout the series, and all of his appearances in the movie, where 29+ is bang on. However, he does have VERY saturated purple hands, which I've only found to be accurate to one or two shots.

Furthermore, he's got the smaller eye which was specifically remolded to better match the cartoon, and its orange color prevents it from looking green as MP-29 did. And, they painted the black behind the eye as a square instead of a hexagon, also more accurate.

Finally, 29+ has tampo-ed on cartoon insignia.

 

Thanks for this. I might try the lighter purple hands of MP-29 on MP-29+, cause I agree they are a bit off.

 

I feel MP-29 is more toon accurate.

I feel MP-29+ looks better with other MPs.

Just cause he looks cooler. And MP-29 doesn’t really fit with how cool they’re trying to make their figures look. Proper, advanced. MP-29 seems dated. MP-29+ feels fresh and powerful.