My redcoat

[seawarrior]

Hi ,

      This is my redcoat, that I just finished painting, I hope you like it!   

          Seawarrior

[seawarrior]

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[seawarrior]

enjoy! 

[playmofire]

A very nice piece of custom and painting work there, seawarrior.  Nicely done.

[Timotheos]

I think he looks great!

Do you use acrylics or enamels for the paint?

I've had trouble with paints--feeling that my klicky becomes a "piece of glass" after I paint and seal.  On the other hand, I've had fun doing it.

And, your painting of the klicky's torso red probably was a necessity.  I'm amazed, but it is very difficult to find klickies with raw red chests anymore.  I think the only one on the market now might be the farmer who comes with the rabbit hutch (under his over-alls top piece).  I have several red pirate chests with decals on them, but rubbing off the factory paint with mineral water is a labor intensive task (took me 30 minutes of heavy work once to rub off stubble from a pirate face--there must be a sanding-type tool that will do it better).

-Tim

[Martin Milner]

(took me 30 minutes of heavy work once to rub off stubble from a pirate face--there must be a sanding-type tool that will do it better).

-Tim

Desperate Dan sometimes used a blowtorch - I prefer to wet shave.

[Indianna]

  Very nice redcoat custom, seawarrior! 

Desperate Dan sometimes used a blowtorch - I prefer to wet shave.

  That literally made me laugh out loud! 

 

. . .  I have several red pirate chests with decals on them, but rubbing off the factory paint with mineral water is a labor intensive task . . .

Being less witty than Martin, my first thought was of this thread which has some info that may improve the process of removing factory paint: Sir Gareth's Figure Restoration and Cleaning
and, specifically, Sylvia's follow-up comment which references the pertinent info:
 

. . . I was removing the print from the torso of a klicky using silver polish ("Silvo") yesterday and I noticed afterwards what a great shine it leaves on the plastic. I haven't tried any of these other ones you've mentioned, but I will certainly look out for them. . .

Hope this helps you reduce your pirate rubbing time, Tim!   

[Richard]

Hello, Timmy ... 

... rubbing off the factory paint with mineral water is a labor intensive task (took me 30 minutes of heavy work once to rub off stubble from a pirate face--there must be a sanding-type tool that will do it better).

This is another one of those times that you are very fortunate that you live in the United States!

All you have to do is go to your local supermarket and visit the laundry aisle ...

Look for Bar keepers Friend (powder).
see attachment

After you've made your purchase, and have taken your magic powder home, take your magic powder and your most challenging Klicky into the kitchen.

1.   Put a little Bar Keepers Friend powder in the kitchen sink. Dampen your finger (drier is better than wetter).

2.   Gently touch the little pile of powder with your damp finger.

3.   Look at your finger. A small amount of powder should now be on the part of your finger that the police use to take your fingerprints ...

4.   Gently rub the marking on the Klicky that you want to remove.

5.   Be surprised and amazed at how easily the unwanted markings disappear.

NOTE: I can't stress the word "GENTLY" enough! It doesn't take very much pressure to remove the markings! (However, probably the only damage that you can do, by NOT being gentle, is to make your finger a little red.)

Have fun and all the best,
Richard

[Dan]

I use a fine wire brush (the sort shoe shops sell for brushing scuffs off suede shoes) to get the decals off my clickies.  If you're going to paint them as well it leaves very fine scratches for the paint to key in to.

[playmofire]

I've found a cotton bud moistened with cellulose thinners works.  Apply it to the printing without rubbing so as to soften the printing.  Then you can gently rub it with a dry cotton bud and spread it out thinly.  Repeat the process until the printing is gone or very faint.  Then rub using T-cut and finish with car polish or metal polish.   Another way is to use a nail/emery board like the one in the scans below.  I find starting with the smooth side usually works, but with heavy printing you may need to very lightly use the shape side.  Then finish with buff and polish, possibly using T-cut and car polish with them respectively.  I accept no responsibility for the results.