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Author Topic: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error  (Read 2643 times)

Offline XRFIWR

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New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« on: March 07, 2011, 05:19:36 PM »
Hi all,  I could use some guidance.  Before I found you all someone told me to use transparent gesso as the base coat before painting and I did this on a few figures I'm working on.  I've since read here that I should be using Krylon Fusion.  Have I started out with a disaster waiting to happen or can I proceed with the gesso and make the switch for future customs?

Great site and amazing customs by the way. 

XRFIWR
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Offline wraithnine

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2011, 05:57:10 PM »
i have no experience with the American brands i would suggest that you talk to Clonehead,Luke Sprywalker or Doc Outlands
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Offline Clonehead

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2011, 07:06:24 PM »
hello and welcome to the Shipyards! I just use what ever acrylic base color that I am using for that part of the figure and paint it with two coats as needed. When you mentioned gesso, I was reminded of the few oil paintings that I have ever done where you put a coat of it down before you do your painting.
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Offline DocOutlands

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2011, 07:09:25 PM »
Welcome aboard!

Never tried gesso, myself.  If it is an acrylic medium, I'd say you are fine.  The Krylon Fusion line is an acrylic, I believe, which is why it works well on action-figures.  Just stay FAR AWAY from enamels!!  They are great on models, but not on figs.  I use the 2oz bottles of brush-on paints you get in WalMart's craft section (and real craft stores, for a HUGE selection) like Ceramcoat, FolkArt, Apple Barrel, and the like.

I'm interested in hearing your experience with the gesso, though.
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Offline XRFIWR

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2011, 07:14:36 PM »
You're all great!  Thanks for the many quick replies.  I'm going to push forward and do a little trial and error with it and see how it goes rather than stripping it back down.  Thank you.   
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Offline Luke Sprywalker

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2011, 05:13:50 AM »
Hello and welcome to the yards! Gesso you say, I have not played with that stuff since art class! Gesso is a glue type product that seals a porus surface before painting. Plastic is not as porous as say a canvas. I would never use Gesso on a plastic figure. Though I would love to see a picture of what these gessoed figures look like now. For me the best way to start on a figure is to give it a warm soap bath, scrubbing with a tooth brush then rinse and let dry. Some people spray the figure with a primer coat, I tend to brush the figure with flat black for my primer coat. Then get out the acrylic paint, thin it a bit with water or windex and paint away!
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Offline Tamer

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2011, 05:57:20 AM »
Looks like the guys already said welcome, but I want too as well!
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Offline XRFIWR

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2011, 08:19:35 AM »
Okay I made two errors here.  The gesso did seem to go on a bit thick and I also didn't thin the paint when applying, so there was some serious flaking on the shoulder joints due to how thick it went on..  That said, I was still pleased with my first crack at a paint job. 

I'm going to strip these guys back down and restart with your feedback here. And I'm going to start with one figure as a trail and not get too ambitious before I've got one or two under my belt.  Thanks again.
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XRFIWR

Offline Tamer

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2011, 08:22:35 AM »
Well I know I can speak for everyone here when I say lets see some pics!
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Offline XRFIWR

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2011, 09:13:14 AM »
I'll snap a few tonight and post them.  Provided I can figure out how to post them.
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XRFIWR

Offline Clonehead

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2011, 09:17:58 AM »
It's pretty easy. If your camera has a vga setting, pics in that resolution can be uploaded directly to our server using the additional options function at the bottom of the page as you post, 4pics max.

If they are a larger resolution than that, you will need to host your pics using a site like flickr or photobucket and grab and insert the image code using the insert image control above the emoticons as you post. It's the button that looks like a framed painting.
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Offline XRFIWR

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2011, 07:00:51 PM »
Giving the picture posting a try. 

Still going to strip this guy back down, but it was a good first pass.  5 stores today and not one had the Krylon Fusion in stock.  Curses.
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XRFIWR

Offline Tamer

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2011, 05:51:42 AM »
Doesn't look bad to me. I couldn't paint as good!
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Offline Luke Sprywalker

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2011, 06:08:42 AM »
I agree, not bad. I see the clumping you were refering to and thinning the paint a bit will help. When I am doing armor, vehicles, astromechs or equipment I thin with a squirt of windex. It provides a sheen and seems to harden the paint a bit better.
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Offline XRFIWR

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Re: New to customizing - Thinking I made an early error
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2011, 06:56:27 AM »
Thanks all for the guidance and encouragement.  I'll be back with an update once I take a fresh run at it.
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