Tutorials, Useful Threads, & Customizing Questions
- Thread starter darth_sidious
- Start date
Hey I used some nail polish remover to take some paint off of a VC140 stormtrooper’s helmet, and now there’s a green stain. Tips on removing it?
This stuff (Winsor Newton) is pretty good at removing stuff, but the acetone might've damaged the plastic. If the brush cleaner doesn't work, a magic sponge eraser might take care of it at the risk of reducing the plastic's shine.
Gotcha I already used a magic eraser and the stain is kinda gone but the plastic is definitely a bit off. Good to know for next time!
I've never tried it on a Stormie, but plastic polish (Meguiar's, etc.) might bring it back around...
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2017
- Messages
- 295
- Reaction score
- 202
I'm trying to build up a stormtrooper army (slowly) and want to utilize more pauldrons. I have one from a Sandtrooper and am wondering if I can mold more of my own. Anyone had any experience or ideas of finding more pauldrons in the 3.75 scale?
The 5poa rogue one from the baze/stormtrooper two pack might work
Siligum or Orumayu(SP?) make molds. I've used both. Siligum molds can't be remolded into something else, but can take heat. Oru, can be reused many times, but can't have a hot medium put in.
There are a bunch of different pauldrons but they don't fit interchangeably. Casting might be your best, and cheapest option.
There are a bunch of different pauldrons but they don't fit interchangeably. Casting might be your best, and cheapest option.
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2017
- Messages
- 295
- Reaction score
- 202
Thank you. I will look for those. I have been looking at recreating different ranks as well as specialists, like a sniper, so a good variety would be helpful.
Thank you. Do you have an idea of how the materials feel after setting up?
Casting in resin is hard and brittle. Greenstuff or Milliput is hard, but less brittle.
Oru tends to rip more than Siligum as it is slightly more firm. I find making mold cases out of lego to contain them really helps with the detail.
Fimo/Sculpy have a mold maker. I don't recommend either as they need to be heated to set. If you try to demold the casting piece, they both warp.
Latex molds are very flexible, but also wear out faster. They can be trickier to use as well.
Surgu is a flexible molding material. While it might make a good mold, it is a lousy material for making bendy items like helmets or jackets, simply because it can't be painted on (at least with acrylics).
Oru tends to rip more than Siligum as it is slightly more firm. I find making mold cases out of lego to contain them really helps with the detail.
Fimo/Sculpy have a mold maker. I don't recommend either as they need to be heated to set. If you try to demold the casting piece, they both warp.
Latex molds are very flexible, but also wear out faster. They can be trickier to use as well.
Surgu is a flexible molding material. While it might make a good mold, it is a lousy material for making bendy items like helmets or jackets, simply because it can't be painted on (at least with acrylics).
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2002
- Messages
- 4,581
- Reaction score
- 162
Resin comes in different durometers hardness. most commonly used being the 65d. They also make a 45d. Softer lends itself to toys I find. Since it is translucent it can be tinted any color to make painting easier.
Customizing a 1/6 Kenner Collector's Series Boba Fett?
I'm thinking about customizing my old 1997 Kenner Collector's Series Boba Fett, using the spare set of Ultimate Bounty Hunter Jango Fett hands and gauntlets. I'd also use the opportunity to give Boba a larger, more accurate helmet. The question is, where can I find a spare one that has an accurate helmet in that scale? The T-visor and angled cheeks are usually off (in case of the visor even on the Hot Toys sculpt).
I'm considering the Titanium helmet or maybe the DeAgostini release, but the latter is 1:5, so it probably won't scale well on a 12" body. There's also a controller holder, but it's difficult to say how big the helmet is. Open to any suggestion, even food-promo (2005 BK, candy heads, etc.) or bobble heads that look accurate to the movie (paintjob doesn't matter, I'll repaint it most likely to match the armor).
I'm thinking about customizing my old 1997 Kenner Collector's Series Boba Fett, using the spare set of Ultimate Bounty Hunter Jango Fett hands and gauntlets. I'd also use the opportunity to give Boba a larger, more accurate helmet. The question is, where can I find a spare one that has an accurate helmet in that scale? The T-visor and angled cheeks are usually off (in case of the visor even on the Hot Toys sculpt).
I'm considering the Titanium helmet or maybe the DeAgostini release, but the latter is 1:5, so it probably won't scale well on a 12" body. There's also a controller holder, but it's difficult to say how big the helmet is. Open to any suggestion, even food-promo (2005 BK, candy heads, etc.) or bobble heads that look accurate to the movie (paintjob doesn't matter, I'll repaint it most likely to match the armor).
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2002
- Messages
- 4,581
- Reaction score
- 162
You can always mold it and shrink it if too big. Or grow it if too small.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2010
- Messages
- 3,084
- Reaction score
- 1,360
Sounds like a good project, not sure about an appropriate answer for your helmet needs, is the UBH Jango helmet (I'm assuming you have it if your have those hands) not a good one?
I have considered doing casts of either 1/6 scale Jango helmet, with the electronic figure taking the edge. Going straight with an existing helmet would be the quicker solution, though, and I couldn't bring myself to repainting the Jango helmets.
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, I'm assume this is the 3.75" general custom thread?
Has anyone seen Greef Karga Mandalorian Season 1 custom yet? And/or does anyone have any suggestions on what parts could be used to make one?
It's somewhat annoying they didn't make the Season 1 look first to go with the other season 1 figures but I'm sure it will be released eventually.
Has anyone seen Greef Karga Mandalorian Season 1 custom yet? And/or does anyone have any suggestions on what parts could be used to make one?
It's somewhat annoying they didn't make the Season 1 look first to go with the other season 1 figures but I'm sure it will be released eventually.
Does anyone know of a fabric dark blue or navy blue Jedi cloak with hood? I have seen a grey one that might work but I’d rather it be blue. I am contemplating using Rit dye on Old Luke’s cloak if I can’t find one already made.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2010
- Messages
- 3,084
- Reaction score
- 1,360
It wouldn't have the hood, but maybe one of the blue royal guards soft goods or even the VC General Lando? I know you want the hood and don't know of any (Star Wars or even other lines) blue donors, but maybe you could sew or glue a snippet to get the hood??? I've tried to do that (add a hood) and it's pretty dicey but my skills with soft goods are fairly limited, but I think it could possibly be done. There's some really well done soft goods by some people, and dyeing is definitely one option (again, not really in my wheelhouse), I'm really just spitballing here with those two (Lando/Blue Royal Guard)......
Thanks for the input yodashizzle, I was thinking of using the Lando too with plastic hood. Idk yet. Sewing would be a wreck for me even though it’d be pretty simple. I think I’m leaning dye.
Fabric glue is an alternative to sewing.
Ahoy!
Anyone got a tip on the best way to non-destructively get a TVC ewok apart at the waist?
Just keep yanking or pry with a flathead?
Anyone got a tip on the best way to non-destructively get a TVC ewok apart at the waist?
Just keep yanking or pry with a flathead?
Define "non-destructively." 
Can't speak specifically on ewoks, because I can't access mine right now to determine their construction. Generally speaking, there are two ways to separate a figure at the waist:
1) Easy way - Boil and pop. If it's a soft plastic torso you can submerge it in hot water (I microwave in a mug for two minutes), which will soften the plastic. When it's soft you can pull the pieces apart.
2) Hard way - Cracking. If it's a hard plastic torso, you'll have to "crack" it apart along the factory seams. If you're lucky, the halves will come apart in a way that lets you superglue them back together. All kinds of different techniques, but most involve scoring the seams with an X-acto and prying the halves apart, or squeezing the torso with padded pliers or a vise until the glued seams pop apart. 95% of the time when I crack a figure, it's to steal the arms or legs. Been lucky a few times but I never count on it.
Hope this helps.
Can't speak specifically on ewoks, because I can't access mine right now to determine their construction. Generally speaking, there are two ways to separate a figure at the waist:
1) Easy way - Boil and pop. If it's a soft plastic torso you can submerge it in hot water (I microwave in a mug for two minutes), which will soften the plastic. When it's soft you can pull the pieces apart.
2) Hard way - Cracking. If it's a hard plastic torso, you'll have to "crack" it apart along the factory seams. If you're lucky, the halves will come apart in a way that lets you superglue them back together. All kinds of different techniques, but most involve scoring the seams with an X-acto and prying the halves apart, or squeezing the torso with padded pliers or a vise until the glued seams pop apart. 95% of the time when I crack a figure, it's to steal the arms or legs. Been lucky a few times but I never count on it.
Hope this helps.
This is discombogulatin'!
I am in the market to give my Spider-people figures magnetic feet. I was wondering if someone had some details on adding magnets to figures. I swear there was a tutorial on FigureRealm but I cannot locate anything. I imagine you get magnets and glue them into the peg holes and it is that simple. I do not know details though. What magnets, glue, etc. work the best.
Thanks again for any input you may have!
Thanks again for any input you may have!
Did this with Earth magnets. I cut a flat magnet strip to the shape of Spider-Man’s feet. Worknicely
There may be ones that can be drilled into the feet.
edit: just checked SM the magnets have fallen off so you may need to play around with different strong magnets & glue them as needed
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2010
- Messages
- 3,084
- Reaction score
- 1,360
I'll give you my 2 cents on magnets....
I've used them a few times, first thing I tried was along the lines of that Saga Bespin Luke with the removable hand. Matter of fact, I think I mighta cribbed that exact magnet from that figure, think I did a Vader with a removable hand. Hasbro has done several things along that line, those magnets often turn to dust (weird sounding, I know, but true, check yours if you have that figure, probably has dirt/dust from the magnet deteriorating). Some magnets out there are too big for the application, Or too strong. I think that earth magnets are those that are pretty damn strong. Like, strong enough to pull off the other end when you try to separate them. The conundrum is you want a good strong magnet for most things, strong enough to hold a figure upside down or what have you......but those strong magnets are sorta tricky cos they'll hold things together but then they can be so strong that they don't stay where you want them on the figure (in a simple hole in the feet for example). Glueing them doesn't really hold up long-term. I've drilled a hole, inserted a magnet then filled in the hole with small "plugs" using superglue, works pretty well so the magnet stays firmly in place and doesn't pull out of whatever socket/hole it's in. Hope that makes sense and helps out.
I've used them a few times, first thing I tried was along the lines of that Saga Bespin Luke with the removable hand. Matter of fact, I think I mighta cribbed that exact magnet from that figure, think I did a Vader with a removable hand. Hasbro has done several things along that line, those magnets often turn to dust (weird sounding, I know, but true, check yours if you have that figure, probably has dirt/dust from the magnet deteriorating). Some magnets out there are too big for the application, Or too strong. I think that earth magnets are those that are pretty damn strong. Like, strong enough to pull off the other end when you try to separate them. The conundrum is you want a good strong magnet for most things, strong enough to hold a figure upside down or what have you......but those strong magnets are sorta tricky cos they'll hold things together but then they can be so strong that they don't stay where you want them on the figure (in a simple hole in the feet for example). Glueing them doesn't really hold up long-term. I've drilled a hole, inserted a magnet then filled in the hole with small "plugs" using superglue, works pretty well so the magnet stays firmly in place and doesn't pull out of whatever socket/hole it's in. Hope that makes sense and helps out.
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2008
- Messages
- 6,959
- Reaction score
- 2,892
Anyone know where I can get a kit or something along those lines for Jabbas barbecue table thing that goes behind him? I’ve found some files for it, but don’t have anyway to print them out. There is someone selling one on eBay but I guess id prefer to save some money and just buy a put it together and paint it yourself kit. I know hole in the ground productions has a cantina distillery that is a good example of the assemble and paint it yourself idea but they don’t have Jabbas rotisserie.
So any suggestions on where I could buy a kit or if anyone is able to print out the stuff and I could pay for it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
So any suggestions on where I could buy a kit or if anyone is able to print out the stuff and I could pay for it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2017
- Messages
- 295
- Reaction score
- 202
What size/scale are you looking for?
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2008
- Messages
- 6,959
- Reaction score
- 2,892
Sorry, I should have specified that! I'm looking for 3.75" scale.
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2017
- Messages
- 295
- Reaction score
- 202
No problem. I've seen a 3d printed one pop up on Ebay from time to time, but of course can't find it now. I'll keep my eyes out though.
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2008
- Messages
- 6,959
- Reaction score
- 2,892
Thanks! I’ve got one bookmarked on there right now and it looks pretty good, but I’ve seen some others with different parts that I like a little more and I wouldnt mind saving some money by painting and assembling it myself. But then again if I found the right one for the right price I could save myself the time!
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2017
- Messages
- 295
- Reaction score
- 202
No problem. I've got to be better about bookmarking 3d printers that I like!
Unrelated to the above, anyone have best guesses as to possible blue for this? I have decided on one of my first customs is going to be creating New Republic armed forces, including that trooper. A lot of the New republic is involving blue theme, which is fine as I love blue. But, I am still messing around with paints to get what I want.
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2008
- Messages
- 6,959
- Reaction score
- 2,892
What I've done is if I can't find a good match is to get some colors and mix them until you customize the paint color you want. For this one, you could start with a darker blue and a white and slowly add the white until you get the desired color. Just be sure to have an extra bottle to put the extra paint in case you need to do touch ups. And keep track of how much you've mixed in case you need to do it again! I never keep track and then I'll need it again and be like crap, what did I mix???
Then again, maybe there's an exact match out there already! My favorite paints are no longer being made, so I don't know what all is out there. I mean I know there's vallejo but I'm not a big fan, but I guess at some point I may have to adjust.
Yeah, I stocked up on MM acrylic as much as possible before Hobby Lobby got rid of it entirely. I’m good for now, but really anxious about what the future holds. I also didn’t have much success with Vallejo.
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2017
- Messages
- 295
- Reaction score
- 202
Good tip. I'm such a perfectionist at times that mixing will probably be the best bet as well as the one that drives me the most nuts! I've been looking at some of Fantasy Flights Legion paint since they have the Star Wars theme that might work.
Since this is a character I really like I think I'll plan it out a lot. Might not end up being my first custom but it will be the one the most ridiculous amount of thought is put in to
I have used the paint app on my laptop to find the color I want to mix, then look at the formula the app uses to determine how much of each color I'llneed as a ratio. It states the formula in the three primary colors, white and black.
You can then convert those measurements to your amount needs but keep the same mixing ratios.
You can then convert those measurements to your amount needs but keep the same mixing ratios.
Similar threads
