Action figures are part of a child’s toy collection, especially for little boys. As parents, we try to spoil our children with action figures we never had growing up, some characters are even sentimental to us. There will come a time in a child’s life where these toys will serve its purpose in the playpen and be disregarded or stored away for safekeeping. But don’t get discouraged if the action figures that you hold dearly have battle scars because, in this article, we will talk about knowing how are action figures painted for repair. Knowing this technique will help you save those precious action figures for display, not only for the child’s enjoyment but also for you.
Whether you are doing this for restoration, repair, or customization purposes, some action figure parts can be small, hard to handle, and delicate. Knowing how action figures are painted will require patience, time, and understanding of the materials used. Before we get into painting the action figures, let’s first discuss the different materials toys are made of to prepare us for painting.
Materials Toys are Made Of
Toys are created with different materials. Understanding what type of material your dealing with will help you determine the paint to use. Because we are painting action figures, let go through the three most common materials action figures are made of, which are plastic, silicone, and wood. Let’s see how these three materials are prepared before painted on.
How To Paint On Wood
How are action figures painted if it was made of wood? Painting wood is a walk in the park. Either you’re doing a good job or not. When painting wood, patience and time is required for a clean finish. So, take it nice and slow.
How To Paint On Plastic
How are action figures painted if it is made from plastic? Plastic is tricky to paint because it is not porous, unlike wood. What this means is that the paint has little to stick to because of its smooth texture. To achieve success in painting plastic, you must do the right preparation first. These are basic procedures to keep in mind before painting plastic.
- Clean any plastic you are about to paint thoroughly with soap and water first. This will get rid of all the unwanted dust, which can cause problems later when painting.
- Lightly buff the plastic surface to provide a texture for the paint to stick on. Because plastic is smooth, buffing and sanding will give the surface the needed roughness.
- Applying alcohol to remove any residue left after buffing. Washing the plastic with soap and water is not enough to get rid of residue that may later cause your paint to chip.
- Add painters’ tape to parts you don’t want to get painted on. This is important, especially when painting parts by the section.
How To Paint On Silicone
How are action figures painted if it was made from silicone? Paint also does not stick very well on silicone, although it is possible with the right preparations. There are a few techniques in painting silicone material and to encourage its adhesion. The following are the necessary procedures you must follow:
- Clean the silicone figures thoroughly with soap and water.
- Next, clean the surface with alcohol to eliminate unwanted dirt that cannot be taken out by water.
- Apply a thin coat of oil-based primer to the silicone before you apply the paint. When painting silicone, it is best to use oil-based paints or latex.
Painting Action figures
Choosing the right paint.
If your action figures are made of wood or plastic, the best paint you can use is acrylic paint or lacquer paint. Do not use oil-based paint on your plastic action figures because this can deteriorate them over time. Do not use enamel paint on wood or plastic because it may not be fully dry and can leave soggy bubbles. The rule of thumb before choosing any paint is to try them out first.
Prepare the action figure.
Just like we discussed earlier, there should be an understanding of the type of material used before painting. Clean the surface thoroughly to get rid of unwanted particles that may weaken the hold of paint. You can also strip away the paint that was formerly used but be careful in doing this because it might deform the plastic.
If your action figure has moving parts, it would be best to disassemble the toy first. This is because the paint might seep into the joints and harden, causing it to be immobilized.
Prepare the base color.
When painting your action figures, always begin with a base coat. If the action figure has a dark theme, use a black base coat, and if the action figure has a lighter color theme, use white. You can use acrylic spray paint when painting your base coat. After applying your base coat, let the figure dry before you proceed.
Paint details carefully.
Before you proceed with painting in the details for your action figure, make sure to dilute some paint in water to avoid thick strokes. To apply the paint, take it one thin layer at a time using a pointed brush when you want to create highlights and shadows, dry brush, the areas painted to raise detail. When painting details, it is crucial to be patient and calm to avoid overpainting.
Spray with a clear coat to shine and reinforce.
Once you are done with painting your action figure, spray everything with a layer of clear coat. This will keep the paint from flaking and will make it hold its form better. Do not put back together toys that were disassembled unless the paint is fully dry. Once everything is dry, assemble the pieces and admire your work
Conclusion
Now that you know the answer to the question – how are action figures painted if it were silicone, wood, or plastic, you can upcycle your kid’s toys or repair those toys you want for display. Just remember to disassemble moving parts and follow preparation procedures depending on what material is used. I hope this article has shed some light on your toy painting questions. Remember that when painting, take it slow and steady to achieve an excellent outcome. Know more about toys.