Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Hotwire Customs wrote:Testors Dullcoate is about as good as it comes. However, if the moving parts you mention rub on each other, even a sealant won't stand up to too much movement. Check for paint rub issues before you seal it.

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll give this a shot, I'm just hoping not to restrict the movement by adding too many thick layers on these smaller parts, I don't sit and transform my figures all day but at the same time don't want the paint rubbing off the second I look at it, so hopefully your suggestion will serve me well.

Thanks again.

I've been trying to remove the pins from the lower leg of Tomahawk, but the pin won't budge (even after hammering). Should I heat a bit the plastic (with a hairdryer) before hammering?

I need advice on preparing a figure to paint. I'm a real amateur at repaints...dont have a lot of time, just do it for fun. I want to paint RID Powerizer Prime as his paint apps are just awful...In the past I've had trouble getting the figure to take the paint. I've read about washing with warm soapy water but I'm wondering about sanding that I've heard about.

It would make sense that it would allow the paint something to hold onto, but wouldnt the figure show scratches from the sanding?

Thanks,

For the pin removal, try heating the pin using the tip of a soldering iron. Be very careful not to touch the surrounding plastic as this could harm the figure beyond repair. First, figure out which end of the pin see threaded. Then heat the pin for a few seconds. Once its heated, push from the other end. When the tip pokes out, grab it with your needlenose pliers, and pull it out. Go slow, don't rush. If you melt the plastic too much, it's ruined.

As for prep, it all depends on the paints. For most of my work, I lay down a base of Krylon Camouflage Ultra Flat Black as a primer, then go over that with Testers enamels. You can sand it to promote adhesion, just be sure to use a 1200 grit paper or higher so as not to gouge the plastic. Also a good idea to transform the figure while in the primer stage to find rub spots and then sand those down using an emory board first, to remove the bulk of the material. Then use progressively high grit sand paper to smooth the finish. Go slow at this stage as you can always take away more plastic but, you cannot put it back.


I hope this helps you guys. Another word of advice, practices these tricks on junkers! That way, if you mess up, no harm done to your project.

Scrap, I just realize this is the thread I should be posting my toy disassembling questions.

Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone here knows how to remove the clear headlights on TF's. Certain ones like Movierverse Swindle and RTS Bumblebee have tinted headlights, which is cool, but they look fake because the plastic underneath is showing through.

In order to paint under the plastic headlights, I naturally need to remove the headlights but can't seem to find a way to do so. I'm hesitant pry them off for fear of damaging the plastic.

Thanks in advance.

Arlekkin wrote:I've been trying to remove the pins from the lower leg of Tomahawk, but the pin won't budge (even after hammering). Should I heat a bit the plastic (with a hairdryer) before hammering?

Soldering iron. Take a look at the pin first. You'll notice one side is flush with the plastic, and the other is recessed a bit. Heat the soldering iron until it's nice and hot. Then, touch it to the flush end of the pin. Be very careful not to touch the plastic or it will melt beyond repair! Heat the pin for around 30 seconds, then quickly tap the other end with the hammer and nail. This may take a few tries but, it works. I also suggest practicing on some junkers first, so that you don't ruin your Tomahawk figure.