CAF: 101 – 10 QUESTIONS WITH GENE “PUGSLEY” SEYBOLD!

CUSTOM ACTION FIGURES: 101 – “10 QUESTIONS WITH A CUSTOMIZER” – GENE “PUGSLEY” SEYBOLD
By Rob Panick aka General Panick

Some of you may know him as “Darth Simmons” or “meandnooneelse”, but I’m sure most of you know “Pugsley”. Gene “Pugsley” Seybold, from Leesburg/ Albany, Georgia, is a 38 year old action figure customizer. He’s married with 6 kids. Gene works in the radio industry as a day job, and is a musician and a big fan of punk rock and metal music.

CAF:101 – First off, as I always ask fellow customizers, how long have you been customizing and what got you started?
PUGSLEY – I’ve been customizing for about 8 years. I started in 2007. My oldest son got a 2006 Saga Collection Endor Luke Skywalker, the one with the swivel elbow joints. They kept popping apart and were aggravating to use during play, so he asked me to fix him. I went online looking for answers and found http://www.ffurg.com I was surprised to find that there was a large community of customizers out there. I got hooked! Growing up I always wanted figures with better articulation, working holsters, and better sculpts. Learning to customize has allowed me to have those figures!

CAF:101 – What’s your favorite figures to customize?
GPS – Modern era GI Joes are my favorites now. Just like when I was as a child, I started with Star Wars and got to where I preferred GI Joes. I got burnt out on Star Wars. The new movies may revive my interest, but I will not buy action figures with only 5 points of articulation, not even to customize. I refuse to support a line of figures that is going backwards in progress. My kids don’t even like them. I also don’t collect/customize anything that’s not 1:18 scale (3.75”-4”) It’s funny, there are a bunch of kick starter programs popping up for 6” figures, but I have no interest because they don’t fit my collection.

CAF:101 – What’s your workspace like?
GPS – It’s a mess. I live in a small house with 7 other people (wife and 6 kids) so I have to use the only bit of space available to me… the end of the kitchen table.

CAF:101 – What paints and brushes do you use?
GPS- Is this not the biggest topic of debate amongst customizers? LOL! I prefer Model Masters. I have encountered no other acrylic that matches Model Masters in durability. I don’t use sealers like Dullcote because I usually don’t need them with Model Masters. Plus I haven’t come across a sealer that doesn’t make soft plastic parts sticky after a couple of months. Other customizers deny that like crazy, but that’s been my experience. Maybe it’s got something to do with the South Georgia humidity, I don’t know. All I can say is that it’s been my experience that spray can sealers have the same effect as enamel paints on PVC plastic, they get sticky… so I prefer to use a durable paint that doesn’t require sealing, Model Masters.
As for brushes, I prefer Testor’s brushes. I get ‘em at Michaels. I also use cheap “Fine Touch” flat brushes from Hobby Lobby. Flat brushes are great for painting larger areas on a figure. They tend to leave a smoother finish. Plus they’re absolutely necessary for dry brushing.

CAF:101 – If you could give advice to someone who is brand new to customizing, what would it be?
GPS- Don’t be lazy. Do the proper prep work before painting your figure. Wash it and sand it. Do it right!

CAF:101 – Give us your best “secret trick” you use when customizing.
GPS- Well, lighting is a big thing. I’ve gotten good at color matching, and I can’t get a match if I’m not in the right light. Sunlight is perfect, but not really feasible, so I use a desk lamb with a fluorescent daylight type bulb. It’s much more accurate lighting than the yellowness of a soft white bulb. Also, people keep asking me how I paint camo, but honestly there’s no special trick. I look at reference pictures and paint what I see.

CAF:101 – What other things are you into besides customizing?
GPS- I used to play in a metal band, but between working full-time and being married with 6 kids, most of which are aspies and/or have ADHD, I really don’t have much free time.

And now, to consult the magical, mystical random question generator…
CAF:101 – Would you rather be stuck in a house with someone you hate or be stuck in a house alone?
GPS- I’d much rather be alone. I have no issues with that. At least no one would be bothering me.

CAF:101 – What is the first thing that you notice when meeting someone new?
GPS- That it’s 10 seconds into the conversation and I’ve already forgotten their name….

CAF:101 – What do you think the best invention is?
GPS- Well antibiotics are pretty useful, but I’m also pretty fond of air conditioning and electric guitars.

Be sure to check out more of Pugsley’s awesome customs on his facebook page, and while you’re there give it a “like”!
https://www.facebook.com/meandnooneelsecustoms

Click over to check out “Da Hawaiian’s” review of Pugsley’s “Pin Point” custom figure!

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