The Energon Pub

Hi there everyone! Fantastic repaints, kitbashes, and other creative projects on these boards!! I am truly inspired by what I see. I'm new to Transformer painting, and I read (on figurerealm's how-to, as suggested by another post) that Transformers need to be taken apart in order to successfully paint them. Is this really the case? Or does it perhaps vary on a figure-by-figure basis?

I'll be laying down plenty of practice on some busted garage sale/flea market finds before building the necessary confidence to attack an intact figure, but somewhere down the line I'll be interested in doing the obligatory Universe Seeker (deluxe) repaints for those tricky con/club exclusives, Thundercracker and Skywarp.

So what do you guys think? Necessary? Should be avoided at all costs? Particular to figure type? Based on painter's skill and dexterity?

Thanks!

MutantDinosaur

I have done about 10 repaints now, I always take them apart because I don't like to see any of the original colouring showing through on my repaints(reason one) I'm still very much a rookie and my technique is slowly developing. But I love the challenge. I am waiting for the repro labels to come in and I will be posting my thudercracker and skywarp. I used the 25th anniversary version of starscream cause it was lighter. One I hand painted the other I used testor spary enamil for and the testor glosscotte after. I love them both but skywarp I liked a little better. I never really try to take any pins out so SS can only be dissmantled so far with out the removal of pins. I kinda ramble so I'll just say good luck, can't wait to see something and feel free to check mine out. Leobreaker1977.

So, does everyone agree? Do you all take yours apart? A nod of affirmation from anyone willing is helpful. (I'm very nervous about taking them apart, and knowing that EVERYONE does it that way would at least propel me to do so.)

Thanks again!

I'm hardly qualified to answer, however in my research the only consistent answer to this i have found is: It depends on the painter. Some artists completely dismantle the figure. Others mask and spray. Some brush, some spray, some airbrush, many use a combination.

I think the key is to find what you enjoy and are comfortable with, and do that.

I find it's easier to paint if you take them apart first. You're able to get to areas not otherwise accessible, and there's less chance of painting joints shut. If it's an older toy (like my G1 Soundwave), I'll go ahead and fix any loose joints at the same time.

I also do plastic models, so a lot of the techniques carry over: go slow, only do one limb at a time, and label the screws if need be. I usually use double sided tape, or empty pill or paint bottles to keep them organized, too.

I generally take them apart but only when it's necessary for the part. With the Classics Seeker mold, I take the cockpit area completely apart so I don't get sloppy around the canopy but I don't do that to the chest of the Universe Prowl mold. It depends on the piece itself.

I personally like to completely dismantle them so i can paint every last inch of the figure. but it depends on the level of detail you want to achieve.

the outside of the cars I usually airbrush and keep everything together. just to make sure the color is nice and even. then I apply a quick finish so I will be able to clean of dirt or paint without damaging the color

afterwards I start dismanteling the thing and airbrush the parts that are not invisible in altmode but represent parts from the vehicle... this way these parts look exactly like the real vehicle parts.
I see a lot of people painting these parts by hand but you can always tell its painted by hand.
a good example of this is my eurotrip longarm

dismanteling is only required if there is no way to access whatever it is you need to paint or it its too hard to properly apply a finish

always tape off joints or don't apply too much paint on them, take your time, using color layers will give your repaint a lot more depth then applying just one color, mask your windows, go eazy on the dry brush.

have fun

Wow. Thanks, everyone!! I can't believe all the helpful comments. Totally feelin the love.