How Is it done? Breyer custom bodies…

Somewhere on my computer I have some links I could provide that lead to expert advice, but it would be a while before I can find them. Fallen Leaves Forum might have some info on prepping. 🙂

http://fallen-leaves.net/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=index

As for myself, I’ve only prepped 6 breyers, so I’m no expert. And most articles I read on the subject state slightly different methods. I used Ajax to lightly scrub the horse to slightly rough up the topcoat and give the surface some “tooth” (I used the powder Ajax that has some grit in it). But I don’t think many people bother with this step as I’m not sure if it’s necessary and I didn’t bother using it on my last two horses. Then I sanded the seems (which you can skip), then primed, as this is an important step: prime! It keeps the paint from rubbing or flaking off later. It’s fine if you prime over the previous paint job, but make sure the piece is clean and free of your natural hand oils before you prime. I washed mine with a dab of Dawn dish detergent to get clean. Now here’s the confusing part for me, what primer to use. 😕 Some say Krylon white primer is fine, but others say the forumula has recently changed and is now ubber crap. Those artist use Rustoleum (sp?) or another brand. Some use spray gesso in place of a traditional primer (supposedly Krylon makes a spray gesso!). And although most articles I read had artists using white primer, I’m part of a yahoo group for a horse artist who recommends gray primer because she says white primer yellows over time and will change the color of the horse (not white gesso though). I used Krylon white primer for the first few breyers, but moved over to the gray Rustoleum after reading her recommendation (but I’m overly cautious), then I just airbrushed a white acrylic paint topcoat over it. So, LOL, after you figure out what you want to do for primer, then you can use whatever paint you wish: acrylics, oils, or pastels. I’ve seen them used all beautifully, with oils being my favorite because of the richness of color, but it’s just takes to long to dry and clean up so I don’t use them 😆 So acrylics for me, but I have tried one in pastels and I’d like to do more that way.

Now before I ramble on more…

I use Walmart brand primer, it’s a good idea to wash the model with soap and water I use dawn, I lightly sand the body to get a better tooth for the primer. I rinse and wipe down the body after sanding and I prime in layers. I do at least 2 coats. I use acrylic paint and powdered pigments. I have discovered after many many mistakes that before starting another layer of color it better be very dry if the paint is to thick when you apply another layer the wet layer pulls the dry layer off. I water my colors down a bit, less brush strokes. Painting acrylic paint on a plastic pony is a tricky bussiness.
I use magic sculpt to remake manes and tails and other parts like neck or changing the shape of legs. It’s a two part epoxy and you mix it till the color is even and you have between 1 and 2 hours of working time and within 24 hours it’s rock hard and can be sanded,grinded and carved. I use a dremal tool to hack up the plastic body and remove the manes and tails.
I’ve been doing it for almost 5 years. I mostly do them for myself lately as the market seems to be at a stand still.
There is a great web site called “Model Horse Blab” they charge a yearly fee to view all the pages but it’s devoted to models. There is a free site called “Fallen Leaves” you can get all kinds of tips and advice on either site.
Go see my Breyer remakes on my web site.
http://www.freewebs.com/thegreeneyedunicornstudio/

there is a lady that makes and sells the wings, great artist. Make sure you read the size of the wings!
http://www.abbeyincstudios.com/catalog.htm