Jeff Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hello all! I just joined the MM and have been collecting Minimates off and on for awhile now (as they are hard to find in stores). Here's my current collection displayed in a shadow box I picked up from Hobby-Lobby. I did some tweaking to add the shelves (foam board with super glue). However, I would love to create minimates based on Left 4 Dead. I have all the characters from both games (Battlestar/T2 parts swamped mostly), I just need to paint them and add some waterslide decals to the chests. I'm starting to work on Rochelle and bought some paints to get started. Here's what I picked up: Model Master Acryl Flat White 4769 (I was told you have to sand the figure first then get a base coat of white before applying the actual color you want) Model Master Acryl Hot Pink 4640 (the color of Rochelle's Shirt minus the Depeche Mode decal I have yet to make) Model Master Acryl Flat Clear Acryl 4636 (to paint over the pink for a shiny finish) The question I ask you: Have I bought everything correctly? Am I following the right steps? I only have ONE of each figure and don't want to screw things up. I have other figures to use as 'tests' but I'd really like to just start on the l4d figures. Any tips? Pointers? Do and Don'ts? Thanks, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthRaider Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 HI Jeff! Welcome to the Multiverse! I'm not really much of a customizer myself, but you seem to really have a clear vision of what you're doing and that's always a good thing. With regards to Minimate customizer tips we have quite a lot of talented guys here in our Custom Creations section. Our very own luke314pi has his own website, where he posts a lot of helpful tips about choosing paint and applying decals and stuff. For any other questions you can always consult him or the rest of us right here on the 'verse Here's hoping you enjoy your stay here, and I have to say that is one good-looking Minimate collection you've got there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trekker 42 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Well I know this is more about the customs, but as this IS your introduction to the Multiverse I will give you that challenge of challenges: THE T42 MOVIE CHALLENGE!!! That's right kiddo, I quote a movie, you name it! Your quote is: "What're you spooks up to?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 Well I know this is more about the customs, but as this IS your introduction to the Multiverse I will give you that challenge of challenges: THE T42 MOVIE CHALLENGE!!! That's right kiddo, I quote a movie, you name it! Your quote is: "What're you spooks up to?" Hmm....Back to the Future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 HI Jeff! Welcome to the Multiverse! I'm not really much of a customizer myself, but you seem to really have a clear vision of what you're doing and that's always a good thing. With regards to Minimate customizer tips we have quite a lot of talented guys here in our Custom Creations section. Our very own luke314pi has his own website, where he posts a lot of helpful tips about choosing paint and applying decals and stuff. For any other questions you can always consult him or the rest of us right here on the 'verse Here's hoping you enjoy your stay here, and I have to say that is one good-looking Minimate collection you've got there! Thanks! It started with the Fantastic Four two packs a friend bought me- then picking up more and more as time went on. I visited Luke's site several times- he does awesome work. He had mentioned in a recent poll of doing a step by step process of how to customize a minimate. I've tried my hand at customizing action figures and completely botched it. I'd also like to repaint the Ghostbuster Minimates in the Real Ghostbuster uniforms and try to make a Jubilee, Mimic, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trekker 42 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Well I know this is more about the customs, but as this IS your introduction to the Multiverse I will give you that challenge of challenges: THE T42 MOVIE CHALLENGE!!! That's right kiddo, I quote a movie, you name it! Your quote is: "What're you spooks up to?" Hmm....Back to the Future? Nah. That's "What're you looking at Butthead?" This was Gran Torino! I really applaud you for not googling. Welcome to the Multiverse man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Harris Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Hi and welcome to the 'verse! Being one of the (newer) customizers here, I know pretty much how you feel. What I learned or what I am actually doing right now when it comes to colors is, I use a color-testing-mate. That's a spare mate who has the privilege to get tons of colors tested on him. There might be better solutions, but that's what I do before applying a color to the actual mate. When it comes to colors I'm pretty satisfied with the Citadel colors from Games Workshop. I never sanded a figure nor did I put a basecolor on it. Maybe I would get better results with that, but I haven't felt the need for that procedure yet. A clear coat is a good idea. I haven't done it on my first custom and after a while it lost its paint. The clearcoat prevents that, so I'd really recommand using it. Anyway, if you got a question, just ask. We usually are a really nice community and especially when it comes to customs most people are glad to help. And as NRaider already pointed out, go check out Luke's stuff! Good luck with your first customs, although I don't know "Left 4 Dead" - sounds like a videogame and I'm, erm, pretty ignorant when it comes to videogames... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Not to dissapoint those who clicked on this thread looking for Left 4 Dead Minimate Customs, Here's mine: Bill is the only one that needs major work. He's missing his trademark beret. Louis needs to have his neck painted and a new decal added (it's paper right now). Zoey needs darker hair. Francis is complete. They were mostly Battlestar figures along with T2 and Wolverine Origins. They're may be 24 (tv show) as well. I can't remember. Luckily, the toys'r'us by me has an abundance of generic 'mates. Not necessarily the figures I want for my shadowbox collection, but parts are always good to have for projects like this. I just wish I could find more Winston/Zombie Taxi Driver two-packs for a larger horde. I also wish I could find a Nightcrawler. He appears to be non-existent on the internet- or maybe I haven't been looking hard enough? -Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthRaider Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Don't worry, you're not the only one having trouble finding Nightcrawler. He's been long overdue for a rerelease for a while now, and to date he's only ever had that one figure from all the way back in that Giant-Sized X-Men set (and the Target packs I guess, though I hear the QC issues on some of 'em were legendary.) And those aren't bad for someone just starting out! Are you planning on doing Left 4 Dead 2 or just the first one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted February 24, 2010 Author Share Posted February 24, 2010 Don't worry, you're not the only one having trouble finding Nightcrawler. He's been long overdue for a rerelease for a while now, and to date he's only ever had that one figure from all the way back in that Giant-Sized X-Men set (and the Target packs I guess, though I hear the QC issues on some of 'em were legendary.) And those aren't bad for someone just starting out! Are you planning on doing Left 4 Dead 2 or just the first one? I suppose I could just make a Nightcrawler......? Left 4 Dead 2 characters are on the way. I searched the minimate database for figures that looked as close to the characters and swapped pieces from there. The most challenging was Coach. I ending up using the 'gut' piece from the movie Blob along with the head of Black Panther (unmasked). I still have to sculpt a collar and then paint. I'm also making a hunter (hobgoblin), boomer (stay puft), smoker (?), witch (?), and tank (movie abomination?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goober Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I got one of the Target issue Nightcrawlers, but the ball joints for his leg came off with the leg when i tried to pose him the day i got him. I had to dig the ball joints out with a small pin needle and then replace his pelvis with the pelvis from Heavy Assault Batman with a bit of red painted on the front. Long story short, try to get a NON-TARGET Nightcrawler. Oh, and welcome to the forums. I've only been here a week or two and already love it, I'm sure you will too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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