How do you swap heads?Very carefully. It's tough at first, but with practice, everything gets easier.
I use a blow dryer to heat up the neck first.Then I pull at an angle. It usually pops right out.
To attach a head, I re heat the neck, and push in the plastic piece.
I use a customized tool to push the neck piece all the way in.
Tool - using pliers, I bent the end of a metal crotchet needle. (It eventually broke, but worked for about a year.)
I made a VERY amateur video on youtube of a head swap:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyY9FF4l81QWhat is Primer?A primer is a coating put on materials before painting. Priming ensures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the material being painted.
Do you prime the pet or paint right onto it?I use primer 98% of the time. The only time that I paint right onto the pet is when I use my husband's expensive "Citadel Colour" paints.
Why would you use primer?I use primer because I paint using a "dry brush" technique, and the black primer shows the "shadows" and "details" in the background of the paint job.
I use primer because I hear it keeps the paint "stuck" to the pet better.
What kind of primer do you use?I use both black and white Krylon Ultra Flat or Semi Flat.
How do you apply primer?Honestly, I don't. My husband does it for me. It's one of those things that you don't want to mess up. I'll quote him on the instructions:
"Do it outdoors or in a well ventilated area. There are usually tips and instructions on the can. But generally, spray from about a foot away, side to side. Never spray too much on one spot. It could cause clots or drips. It's really trial and error. Practice on something you don't mind ruining first. You can always add another coat if you don't spray enough, so don't be trigger happy. Allow about 30 minutes to an hour to dry, then flip over to spray the underside."
What kind of paint do you use?I use Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint.
How do you paint the eyes?I don't. I use silly putty to cover the eyes when I'm priming and painting.
Any painting techniques to share?I was only taught one way - dry brushing.
Here's how it works:
I squeeze some paint onto a sheet of paper.
I put some paint on my brush, but then brush it off on the paper.
Then, in a back and forth motion, I apply the paint onto the pet.
It takes, literally, about 3-5 coats of paint to have a finished look.
New paint brushes are golden! Synthetic brushes are best for dry brushing. The white or yellow bristles. I buy the variety pack. You'll need a thick one and a thin one, for sure. All the ones in between come in handy.
Why would you use sealant?I use a sealant to keep the paint job from chipping.
I use a sealant to get a semi shiny look.
What kind of sealant do you use?I use Krylon Crystal Clear Non-Yellowing .
How do you apply sealant?I don't. Another job that I have Mike do for me. Same advice as the primer.
What if the sealant is sticky?This has happened to me with two different customs. And both times it was because I used a different sealant.
Option 1: Return the buyers money and have the sticky SOB in a "pets parts" drawer.
Option 2: Repaint it. It totally solved the problem.
What is a Demel?Dremel is a brand of power tools known primarily for their rotary tools. A rotary tool is a hand held power tool with a variety of rotating accessory bits and attachments that can be used for cutting, carving, sanding, polishing and many other applications.
Why would you use a rotary tool?Why wouldn't you!? Again, this is an advantage of having a customizing husband. Mike has cut and dremeled and sliced and sanded many a figures. It's his influence that drives me to "dremel outside the box". (Lame)
I use the dremel for the following:
Creating a hole in the base of a tail or spike I'm going to attach. It creates a suction type seal.
Destroying the plastic for my Zombie Pets.
Creating a bigger neck hole when doing head swaps.
Creating a hole to insert an extra magnet.
Removing unwanted bows and saddles.
etc.
How do you cut off parts?I use an x-acto knife.
I rarely but have used a pocket knife.
Mike had a very nasty x-acto blade cut once. It is SO very dangerous. ONLY AN ADULT SHOULD ATTEMPT.
How do you attach parts?I use good ol' Super Glue.
What do you use for sculpting?I use Aves Apoxie Sculpt.
What sculpting tools do you use?I use an x-acto blade.
I use a wooden sculpting set.
Any sculpting techniques to share?Keep a small cap full of water nearby to help with the stickness of the apoxie sculpt.
I sometimes will practice on silly putty first.
This is one of the more frustrating parts of customizing for me. I've thrown away several failed sculpts. It's not easy. And if it is for you, feel blessed.
Where do you buy all of your supplies?Primer, Paint, Paint brushes, Scupting tools, x-acto blade and sealant - Wal-Mart
Aves Apoxie Sculpt -
www.avesstudio.com/Products/Apoxie_Sculpt/apoxie_sculpt.htmlWhat are the prices for those supplies?Primer & Sealant - @ $3
Paint - 44 - 99 cents
Brushes - $7-$12
Sculpting tools - unsure
x-acto blade - unsure
Aves Apoxie Sculpt - $14-$16
How do you come up with ideas for customs?It's hard for me to work on customs that don't "excite" me. That's why it's hard for me to do commission work.
I have about 10 unfinished customs that I either lost interest in or became discouraged with. Mike has about 30, so I'd like to thing that it's common with customizers. I'm saying this because I don't want you to get discouraged if a custom isn't completed. It's common that every custom doesn't turn out.
I do customs that I love. If I "fall in love" with an idea, I want to do it.