| So we
have reference photos and selected the figures we're going to use to build
our mod. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| My next
step is stripping the paint off the figures. I understand that this is
a somewhat controversial step in some circles, but in my experience, stripping
the paint not only allows the fantastic details on the original sculpt
to show through, but it helps the Green/Brown Stuff stick better to the
new figure. |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
There
are a number of solutions bandied about for stripping the paint off WizKids
figures. I've tried a few and the one I use was discovered completely
by accident. My solution of choice is Windsor & Newton Brush Cleaner
and Restorer. Huh?! That's right, I use a brush cleaner to strip my figures.
It's the only solution I've found that doesn't kill me in a small apartment,
cleans the paint off really well, and does no damage to the figures (even
when I forget a piece in the solution for longer than I intended.) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Now,
a couple of quick caveats - the brush cleaner is still chemical-heavy,
so please ensure good ventilation in your work area. However, it's not
as bad as turpentine that some recommend. |
|
|
|
|
|
| I use
a small glass jar with a screw-top lid to soak my figures. Make no mistake.
The lid is very important. On average, I soak my figures for 4 to 6 hours.
You DON'T want exposed solution in your workspace for that long without
a lid. Additionally, if you have a lidded jar, you can re-use your solution
for quite a while. On average, I can usually use my solution for six months
or longer, depending on how many figures I've cleaned. |
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| At this
point, I toss the selected figures in the jar, ensuring complete coverage
with the solution. It's all right to have MORE than necessary, especially
if you're re-using solution. Just be sure the figures are completely covered
by the cleaning solution. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| I allow
them to soak for a minimum of 4 hours. Longer is fine, but try not to
soak for longer than 12 hours, at least at first. If you work in a "dry"
work area, be sure to spread a lot of newspaper or a dropcloth as the
next steps can be messy. Personally, I work over a sink area during the
following steps. |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
At this point,
a pair of latex gloves is optional, but I always use them. Then again,
I'm a little obsessive when it comes to my hands. When you pull the figures
out of the solution, they will be a little soft, and that's normal - they'll
firm up in a bit. The paint will be bubbly and flaking off. Take an old
toothbrush (or a new one if you really want ;) ) and give each of the
figures a good scrubbing. It usually takes about five minutes per figure
to get the paint off. Continually dip your brush in the solution as you're
scrubbing, both to rinse the paint in your brush and keep solution on
your figure. Once you've got the majority of the paint off, I usually
pull apart any "joints" and scrub the individual pieces. Since
WizKids glues pieces together AFTER they're painted, you'll be amazed
how much paint is in there. If, after giving the pieces a good scrub,
you feel they're still not clean enough, throw them back in the solution
and soak them for another hour or so and repeat the scrubbing process.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Once
the figures are scrubbed, I soak them in a warm water solution for 15
minutes or so then wash them with soap and water to ensure all of the
solution is gone. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Some
figures, even after scrubbing, may not have all the paint removed, especially
if they have very small details in they're sculpts. At this point, using
an Xacto knife, I'll go back and try to clean the paint out of some of
the finer details. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| So now
that we have our paint-free starter pieces we're ready to start assembling
our mod! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up
next: Piecing it all together!
|
