I've been out of the game a long, long time, but I finally have some free time to pursue a past hobby. I've been wanting to paint the version of Ratchet I want since the moment I saw the Siege Ratchet figure. There is so much detail left whitewashed out in this mold. I want to strike a balance of bringing out the finer details without making it too busy. While I originally started out wanting to make a more cartoon acurate version, I have seen a lot of repainted versions of him lately that match that scheme. So I decided to go for the red-helmet Marvel Comics version, which honestly was the best G1 version in my own opinion. So this thread will be my day to day, W.I.P. journal. Here's to getting back to business after a dozen years!

Edit: Project complete, final pictures further on in the thread.

 

I started off by taking Ratchet apart as much as posssible. From what I can tell there are only 3 screws that hold him together. The crotch piece is glued from what I can see. I masked off the hands, face and chest piece. I plan on painting those tomorrow.

 

Looking forward to it!
I have a spare siege ratchet just for someday having both properly customized- one as toon Ratchet and one as comic Ratchet.

 

This is exactly the thread I needed to see

 

The last week got away from me with work and not being able to get to the stores for supplies. I was finally able to give some of the parts a Krylon white base coat and pained the tires black. Once those are dry the next task will be to paint the tire hubs silver with some texture using Testors paint and then a clear coat for protection. Once the white parts are fully dry, I will be giving them a clear coat and then taking the painters tape off. The next challenge after that will be to re-tape parts of the head so I can paint the helmet red and then give the other parts red highlights where needed.

 

Made a little progress. Dry brushed his wrench, painted the tires, hands and part of the head. Going to give them a light clear coat tonight and then it's on to the body.

 

Got some more fine details painted today.

 

So I ran into an issue with pinstriping the forearms and had to start over. The mold is so damn uneven. Looking back I kinda wish I would have sanded it all down to be even and more square, but it's too late now. First one is done, just have to let it dry, even out the fine edges with an exacto blade and then give it a clear coat so it doesn't scratch or flake off. Then I have a template for the other one.

 

Glad to see u back in the saddle, amigo. Keep going, he's looking good. I especially love the detail given to the hands... The details between each of the digits is a nice touch. Someday, I'll crack out my Seige Ratchet and pretty much do the same thing. Good luck, thanks for sharing!!!

 

Ready to paint the traditional crosses on his shoulders. Initially I wanted to use the Toyhax labels, but I didn't like how theirs had the oulined boxes right next to the cross. To me it seemed too busy, and when I contacted Toyhax about them making a version of the sticker without the outlined boxes, they declined. 10 years ago I had the ability to make labels myself, but not anymore. So, I went with masking tape and paint instead, which hopefully will turn out better since the the total surface area is slightly larger than what a label would stick on. I also finished the forearm pinstriping and details, the head, painted the crotch silver and added more detail to the legs.

 

I have started using some glue that washes off with water with my masking tape to mask off all the crevices and cracks. It takes time but it is worth it.

 

Got a little more done this weekend, painted the inside torso and crotch silver with some details, a layer of clearcoat and finished the crosses and pinstriping of one of the out side panels. Going to smooth out the pinstriping lines and then it's on to the legs.

 

I am watching on baited breath for what you do with this.

 

Thanks for the interest! I wanted this project to be done already but I don't want to rush it or get sloppy with the paint job. Plus I'm still working and have a family so I try to get a little bit done each day as much as possible. I have a clear coat drying on the larger weapon piece and a paint coat drying on the legs. Hopefully I'll have another progress photo in a day or two. Ideally I'd like to have this whole thing done in the next few weeks.

 

Rock on dude! Looks good so far!

 

Wow, the awesome paintwork did wonders to bring out all the details! Can't wait to see this finished!  

 

Final paint coats are applied and drying now, I'll have all the finished pictures up this Monday night.  

 

It's finally done. There are a few small details I want to add if I get the time one day, like a custom sticker for the back of his arms, etc., but I'm happy with how it turned out.

 

Man, bang-up job with all the details. I think I'll give you my Ratchet to do the same next time I see ya . Nice work all around. The medical bay mode really shows off how u chased the little molded in details. And I want to bring attention to that red stripe in alt mode.... I bet that was difficult to get it to line up that clean. Congrats on a great custom. Hope to see more in the future. Thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks man! The stripe on the sides in alt mode was tricky for sure. By FAR the biggest pain was the forearm striping and the red striping behind the knees. I had to start over twice on those. They were so thin and on uneven mold. The stripes behind the knees were the worst, first I tried to mask it and spray paint it, but the tape wouldn't stick well to the smooth plastic. Then I had to hand paint it with Testors acrylic, but it didn't stick well and flaked off. Started over, hand painted it with Testors enamel, used an X-acto blade tip to straighten out the lines, then spray paint clear coat on it so it wouldn't flake off.