D&D mini modification

[Desdichado]

Anybody tried to modify the D&D minis? I have two choices, both are relatively close to a current character of mine; the Half-orc barbarian from the Archfiends pack, or the Longtooth Barbarian from the Aberrations pack (I'll probably pick up both singles from my FLGS this week.) In either case, I'd like to sculpt my character's darkweave cloak over the figure, and then I'll have to paint it. If I go with the half-orc, I'll also want to paint it so it looks a bit more shifterish rather than half-orc, although I think the two look close enough anyway to work fairly well.

Anyway, has anyone tried to do anything like that? Any wisdom on painting or scultping these minis? I've never tried, although I've done plenty of stuff with regular metal minis, and GW-style plastics in the past.

 

[ledded]

Yo, JD, I've done some of this. Mostly with Clix of different sorts, but with a few D&D minis also. It's a little different than the metals, as you can't depend on being able to file as reliably as metal when you make mods, but cutting and gluing can be a bit easier. You can also make small cuts, then heat/bend/cool rapidly to do position changes, which is much more involved in Metals.

Personally, any of those that I've taken time to convert I've gotten around to stripping with Goof-off also, and you wouldnt believe the nice detail under some of that crappy paint .

I would use a floquil or GW primer to re-prime for painting personally, most of the commercial primers might "craze" or damage your plastic/rubber minis.

The brown stuff that I use for modeling and filling sticks just fine to these minis (so far) and works well since you dont have to bake it like the cheaper sculpey I've used on some of my metals (ovens + plastic minis = bad).

If you have any specific questions I'd be happy to answer them.

 

[Desdichado]

What's goof-off? I'm not sure exactly how to strip the paint on these types of plastics. Your brown stuff; it that pretty much the same as green stuff, i.e., Kneadatite?

 

[pogre]

I know Frank the DM has done quite a bit of this. He has talked about it on the Arts & Miniatures forum (probably where this will end up) Dig up a few of his threads to get some ideas.

The brownstuff is made by the same company that makes kneadatite. It cures much harder. Correct me if I'm wrong Ledded.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I spray painted a bunch of Cursed Spirits black to use as Shadows and they look awesome!

 

[Krieg]

What's goof-off?

Goof-Off

Be extremely careful when using it as it is extremely potent.

 

[pogre]

Here is another thread you might find helpful.

 

[ledded]

The brownstuff is made by the same company that makes kneadatite. It cures much harder. Correct me if I'm wrong Ledded.

Yup, that's it. Just like green stuff but dries harder.

Goof-Off

Be extremely careful when using it as it is extremely potent.

Yup, that's the stuff. According to the label, it's main constiuent, Xylene, has been shown to cause cancer in test subjects, but only in the State of California, so unless you live there you're probably ok if you just take normal safety measures.

I would test one you don't care that much about first to see how it works, dunk it in a sealable jar for a few hours or more and then scrub with an old toothbrush.

I have also actually used my heated multi-tool thing that I use for easily cutting foamcore, with the soldering attachment, to help me modify position on plastic minis and it works like a champ if you are careful.

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Yup, that's the stuff. According to the label, it's main constiuent, Xylene, has been shown to cause cancer in test subjects, but only in the State of California, so unless you live there you're probably ok if you just take normal safety measures.

I can't disagree with this more. Xylene is extremely hazardous. I work in a neuroscience lab and we use xylene frequently. We always use it under a commercial fume hood, and never handle it without wearing nitrile gloves (no, latex is not good enough). It is a very powerful solvent (which is why it strips paint so well), and easily absorbs through your skin or lungs. Aside from the cancer issue, it is toxic to your nerves, liver and kidney. Which one of those would you be okay with damaging?

 

[Krieg]

I would test one you don't care that much about first to see how it works, dunk it in a sealable jar for a few hours or more and then scrub with an old toothbrush.

I've used goof-off for other applications and I would be willing to bet that if you left it on a plastic fig for more than a few seconds you would quickly have a puddle of goo on your hands.

So be very careful & definitely follow ledded's advice to test it before using it whole scale.