Fry_slayer's® Semi permanent Quarter Torso Solution!

[Fry_slayer]

Yo lads, it has been another while since i posted any tricks, heres a
good way to convert mass plain torso into medieval theme.


Prepare a plain torso, clean it up nicely



Carefully stick masking or transparent sticker tape on
the torso as shown



Warp up the rest of the torso so only the to be
paint on part is exposed



Spray color with model color spray, in my case i
used a Tamiya professional model color spray
Note: for best result, refer to instructions on can,
ONLY use proper model spray paint



Optional
To achieve more lasting paint job, spray a layer of clear
coat after the color for lasting play

Now the best part of this method is while the paint can withstand standard
play with no problem, you can brasso it should you feel regret or want to
reclaim the torso for other purpose at any time


Here are the real photo of torsos Before the process and After the process


Action Shot

This guy was instantly dubbed "Orio knight" by my bro,
hmm.. yummy


Interesting soldiers color combination can be made


Enjoy!

[Lord Mikal]

Well, that seems less expensive than a decal, but more time consuming. Great trick for simple designs, but I'll stick with stickers and water-slide decals.

[MaxiVisVires]

That's a very interesting way of customing, and that Black Falcon you made up came out very well. A few things though, 1, this seems a lot more time consuming than say, making a decal (ya I know cutting them out can take a lot of time too). And 2, my experience with spray paints is that it can leave a noticable layer (meaning the paint layer is risen), does the model paint do that? Would it be better to do Sava's style of dyes instead of the spray paint? Even though you can't remove the dye, it seems to give it more playability and genuine feel is why I ask.

Other than that, to me it looks great, and the tutorial you made up is very well done.

[SavaTheAggie]

Vinyl Dye may work, but not with tape, such as I can figure. Plastic tape is... plastic, and will most likely absorb the color. What's worse, Vinyl dye's #1 ingrediant is acetone, which may melt and actually BOND the plastic tape to the fig! I actually plan on testing tape and accessories, this might be a good subject for that test.

However, paper tape, a semi-waterproof tape used for bandages, may work better. You'd have to use an exacto blade to get a smooth cut, and even then, paper tape is kinda fiberous, so you may not get sharp edges.

Not to mention that because vinyl dye is absorbed, you may get bleeding into un-coated areas even with a perfect tape solution.

But on to the topic at hand:

I really like this, it looks very sharp. I don't have a huge number of blank torsoed figs, but I do have enough to make then annoying. This would definately be a good alternative to leaving them in a box.

--Anthony

[lil Jon]

Did you use a matte finish on that? It might look better with gloss.

Overall, it's a great idea and an easy process for a pretty cool result.

[Fry_slayer]

this seems a lot more time consuming than say, making a decal

Not really, with a little practice you can finish everything under 30 mins, the most tidious part of the whole process is to form the quarter correctly. Once this is mastered, you will be good to go.

my experience with spray paints is that it can leave a noticable layer

That is why i insist you use proper model spray, really good spray on proper spraying will leave a "layer"so thin you will believe it is official print form TLC

Would it be better to do Sava's style of dyes instead of the spray paint?

This will be a case of comparing orange with apple, Sava's dye method is more geared towards for changing the color of whole piece, permanently, and like what he wrote i can imagine the mess of messing up chemicals with tape, not to mention u cant brasso it to reverse the process later

Did you use a matte finish on that? It might look better with gloss.

It is glossy (from the clear spary coating, where as end result from the color spray alone is determined by the type of spray u used), just that i cant present that in my photo

Hope that clears up the matter

[g2]

Very nice article, with very nice feedback comments. I have couple more questions for you.

1. How many layers of spray paint do you use?

2. Have you had problems with the paint "bleeding" under the sticky tape?

3. Have you used proper masking tape? Or is this too thick (ie not leaving a nice clean line)?

4. Have you tried to painting a light colour (ie white) on a dark torso? If so, how has it come up?

Thanks

[MaxiVisVires]

Thanks for the quick answers Fry. Again, the Oreo Knight really looks great, but to get the true appreciation of it I'd have to see it in person

Not really, with a little practice you can finish everything under 30 mins, the most tidious part of the whole process is to form the quarter correctly. Once this is mastered, you will be good to go.

Ah now see, that's the key. It can end up taking under 30 mins, but how long does it take to being mastered? Especially with people that are all thumbs?

[Fry_slayer]

1. How many layers of spray paint do you use?
4 to 5 if i remembered correctly, in between spraying u can actually inspect them and apply layer by layer until u get a nice solid color

2. Have you had problems with the paint "bleeding" under the sticky tape?
Happily i can tell you i have yet to suffer any of it, make sure you pressed the sticker on the torso firmly. (If you DO get bleeding issue, there is always brasso anyway)

3. Have you used proper masking tape? Or is this too thick (ie not leaving a nice clean line)?
Not sure which type of tape u are refering to, anyway i am using lamination film but anytape which can stick well and reasonably firm should work, the purpose is to masked area while spraying, thats all

4. Have you tried to painting a light colour (ie white) on a dark torso? If so, how has it come up?
No, not yet, actually I am itching to find out too, but so far i have yet found sufficient reason (and parts) to purchase another can of spray, they dont come cheap, but one can should last more than dozens of torsos. Anyone who try it out are welcome to post results here.

but how long does it take to being mastered? Especially with people that are all thumbs?

Been playing too much playstation ? Well i could not be a judge on that, it all depends on your method of approach. Alternatively, bribe your nephew and niece to do the job for u should they have agile fingers


Thanks

[Modesty]

That is a great way to easily modify a bunch of plain torsos...It makes a great Black Falcon Look on the blue torsos.