I started on my first custom Joe today.

The character is a Joe, codename Ghost...shadowy past, assassination, black ops, sniping, hand to hand combat, demolitions. I want him to be a scarier than hell character for my dios, kind of a rival to Snake Eyes. Due to the large nature of the hands he's equipped with (I may mod him with smaller hands later) he's going to be using customized and camo-painted Lanard Corps weapons. Next week I'm getting a few BBL parachute guys and scavenging one of their chutes and their para gear so Ghost is ready for infiltration.

I started by scraping a Gung Ho V8 for his knife scabbard, then I proceeded to cannibalize a BBL figure for those cool pouches they have mounted all over their gear and the lower part of his legs.

Next I took a Beach Head V4, stripped him down, fitted the BBL bottom legs to is, then put them together to test for my fit, cut and swivel jointed his hands (my first time, it's easier than it looks) Now I'm stopped, I decided before I sand/cut/cannibalize another thing I ought to ask some basic questions.

What is the best Grain sandpaper to use on a custom Joe? I'm assuming I'll need some rougher material to take down his torso, then a finer one to plane it out. These areas will be covered by pouches.

My second question of the night is that I've noted that the BBL pouches came pegged and glued into the characters. Should I merely make holes to fit and superglue these accessories in place?

Paint: I've decided to use a dark ops camo scheme, perhaps all black or dark blue with black tiger stripes, wondering if anyone has any advice for me on my paint scheme. I'm thinking of midnight blue and using a micropen for the tiger stripes. Any advice on what brand of paint I ought to use?

_________________

Congrats!



120 to start with, followed by 220 to smooth it and 400 to sand it down completely. That's what I go with. I also use a micron abrasive film sold by Mona Lisa for parts I need super smooth (this is roughly 600 or 800 grit). You can get the first three in hobby packs made by Testors or if you want larger sheets, go with Mona Lisa (price is roughly the same). I prefer ML over Testor's because I can cut the sheets down into strips, which is easier than using a whole sheet at once (you can do it with Testor's but you get more overall area to work with using ML.) A multi-pack of sandpaper runs around $4 in either brand, last time I bought some (I tend to stockpile the stuff).

I also use a Dremel sanding bit much of the time for grinding things off, the 1/4" sanding drum in 120 grit is ideal.



You're lucky--most times I pry them off the peg snaps off. Drilling the holes and super-gluing it in should give you a much more snug fit; I've had parts I glued on flat (mostly BBI pouches) pop off unexpectedly so it's probably not a bad idea.

_________________

Thanks for the Advice, I finally decided on Crosshair V1 as the ahem...donor for his head (dig the boonie hat). I need to head into town for the finger grit sandpaper...besides I need to get the foam, moss, and spray paint for my first Dio anyway.

Going with a green camo with black tiger stripes by the way, after it's done I'll do a wash with some watered down black to give Ghost a more textured, 3D look.

The thing to do with the BBL gear isto gently pry around the edges with a tiny flatip, work your war around slowly (this can be a long infuriating process).

Thanks again for the advice.

_________________

Try boiling a bowl of water in the microwave. Drop the figure in the hot water for a minute or two (after removing form the microwave) and then try prying off the gear. The hot water will not only losen the glue but will soften the plastic making them easier to get off.

As far as the pegs are concerned I've gone either way with them. Sometimes it is nicer to have a solid connection other times It is easier to just glue them on. It depends on the custom.

_________________

Speaking of pegs, the Dragon/21st Century line of WWII figures are useful because they come with the pegged accessories, but you don't have to pry them off (they aren't attached). Downside of it is these are "period" figures so their gear is not very modern.

I've snagged several just for the pouches, etc. since they started showing up locally at Toys R Us and Wal-mart.

_________________

Damn near done, changed my paint scheme and Ghost is drying in pieces as we speak. I got some neat items in the last two Corps watchtower playsets I bought and I decided to camo up an iron sighted M-4 with an M-203 on it and what appears to be a Remington 700 BDL. I'll wait until I have a few extra characters with holsters lying around to add one of those. By eleven PM Ghost will be assembled and outfitted.

Yeah, I've noticed that the Dragon figures gear is easy to pop-off.

Also thanks for the tip on the BBL figures pluv.

Now I gotta modify his pack with a BBL parachute and I have to find a helmet that fits him so he can have oxygen while HALOing...

Anyone know of any good matrials for gunslings? The M-4 that I have has a nifty little hole just DYING for a sling.

_________________