Custom Action Figures 101: with Rob Panick ‘PREPPING YOUR CUSTOM FIGURE, STEP 2: STOPPING JOINT RUB’!

Custom Action Figures 101 With Rob Panick: PREPPING YOUR CUSTOM FIGURE, STEP 2: STOPPING JOINT RUB

In this week’s edition of Custom Action Figures: 101, we’re going to have a look at how to solve a problem that plagues many customizers. We’re going to be discussing how to prevent the dreaded problem of paint rubbing off of joints. With a little bit of prep work and proper sealing, you’ll not have to worry about your nice paint job being ruined again.

I’m fairly confident you’ll hear this not only from me, but from other customizers as well; the key to a great finished product is great prep work. In order to be able to move the joints of your figure without paint rubbing off, you have to prep the joints. The plastic material that the ball joints is made of is generally going to be harder than the surrounding vinyl of the actual arm/ leg/ hand attached to it, so it will not accept paint the same way.

The best way I have found to prep the ball joint is with a variable speed rotary tool and a “burr bit” like a dentist would use. As you’ll see in the video, I use this bit to grind down the ball joint so that it doesn’t rub on the body part as it passes through when it articulates. Grinding the swivel also gives you a rough, porous surface for your primer to bond to.

Next I use an acrylic polyurethane primer for a base coat on the swivel, just as I would on the rest of the figure. The primer I use is Stynylrez by Badger Airbrush, but there are many other acrylic polyurethane primers as well as automotive plastic primers that will work. You just have to experiment and see what works best for you. After you prime it and let it cure, paint it the color you want using thin coats, then let the paint dry and cure.

After your paint cures, give the surface of the joint swivel a very thin coat of super glue using a toothpick, then let it fully dry. The superglue provides a hard shell over your paint that will keep it from getting scratched or rubbed off. After the super glue is dried, use the blade of your exacto knife to slide down between the swivel and the limb to allow it to move freely.

I actually do this whole process one side at a time. I move the swivel to the extent of it’s range of motion, prime, paint and seal; then when I’m satisfied with it, I move the swivel to the other side and repeat the process.

I hope this tutorial helps you guys and gals out with keeping the paint on your joints! Be sure to give the video some love, and share the tutorial! May the Force be with you!

Do you have questions for Rob after watching the Tutorial? Please make the JUMP to the forum and he will be glad to help you out!