If you are into Kendama’s or just starting to play with it, you know that after a while, it gets worn out. It may need some repainting to restore it’s life back. There are several varying types of paint used for Kendamas, and each one changes the way you play Kendama drastically. There are tons of eco-friendly paint styles used by various Kendama brands, but the main types include natural or no paint, sticky, glossy, and rubber/silk paint. So, if you are planning to repaint the Kendama yourself, you have to choose wisely. Here are some tips on how to custom paint a Kendama.
Types of Paint
Before we begin with some tips on how to custom paint a Kendama, here are some of the paint types you should consider in choosing which paint to use for your Kendama.
- Natural or No Paint
Kendamas with no paint are called natural or “natty” Kendamas. In the Kendama community, they are a classic and a must-have for any true Kendama player. These Kendamas come in various wood types, and can even have a polished finish on them. Natty Kendamas are very “slick” when doing Tama grip tricks, but can also be very “grippy” after breaking them in well. Natural Kendamas are much easier to use in very humid areas as the wood absorbs the humidity and can increase traction between the Ken and the Tama. - Glossy Paint
A Kendama company rarely produces glossy paint anymore, but there are tons of Kendamas out there that sport glossy paint. A glossy painted Kendama is very slick right out of the box, and it usually takes several months of play to break it in properly. If you prefer a little challenge and don’t mind putting in extra work to make it play like a dream, glossy paint is the way to go. - Sticky Paint
The most trending paint style nowadays when it comes to Kendamas is sticky paint. Sticky painted Kendamas enable you to learn tricks faster, advance in difficulty quicker, and try out Kendama tricks even further. Sticky-painted Kendamas have the most grip and tends to keep that grip at a longer period. Various tricks in Tama grip become more achievable with sticky paint, which is why it is so popular. So if you are looking on how to custom paint a kendama, sticky-painted Kendamas are the way to go. - Rubber or Silk Paint
Rubber/Silk painted Kendamas can be deceivingly grippy, despite its smooth and silky feel. It started to inspire a new generation of Kendama play and has improved significantly since its introduction. This paint style feels and looks nice, and it plays like a dream. It can be best described as a happy tool between natty or glossy and sticky paint. It’s grippy enough to improve the playability of the Kendama, but provides an adequate slip for you to fix your errors while playing. This paint is very accepting and makes for an excellent addition to any Kendama collection.
Quick Tips on How to Custom Paint a Kendama
Here are some quick and easy tips on how to custom paint a Kendama using acrylic spray cans.
- To get the paintjob nice and smooth, start on the wooden ball by making a nice layer with a primer in the color you have chosen (best to use white so that you can use any basic color over it).
- After spraying the primer and drying the ball, feel if the ball’s surface is smooth. If not, you can use some 800 sandpaper to make it smooth.
- Clean your tama and make sure it’s dust and fingerprint-free before you start spraying the basic paint color you like.
- After you covered the whole tama with your chosen color, finish it with a high gloss acrylic clear coat. You can spray about seven to eight layers of coat to protect the color for a longer period.
- Make sure to let the ball totally dry.
Other Tips When Painting A Kendama
- Make sure to keep the hole of the ball clean, (make a cone to cover it).
- Keep a distance or a foot away of the ball when you spray.
- You can hang the ball on a string so that you can turn it when spraying.
- Use face and mouth covers when spraying.
- When you spray in layers, you need to pause for 15 minutes before spraying the next layer.
- When you’re done with the base color, wait for one day before you start building up the layers. (If you spray a clear coat 15 minutes after spraying the basic color, the basic color will stay soft and wet under the clear coat. This would cause the paint on the ball to dent faster whenever you play the Kendama.
Conclusion
Custom painting Kendamas is quite easy, especially when you know what paint type you’re going to use. These paint types eventually affect the way you play your Kendama. But, using acrylic spray paints are the easiest and fastest way to custom paint your Kendama. If you are considering repainting the Kendama yourself, we hope that these quick tips on how to custom paint a Kendama will help you achieve your goal. Know more about toys.