Painting a Squadt: Not Step by Step - A Work in Progress

CoD makes an excellent point. Must use caution when putting Acetone on vinyl. I haven't had any problems with Squadts. That doesn't mean there might not be some if you are not careful. I always strip off the paint and then give everything a thorough washing with soap and water. I would not recommend leaving the Acetone on the vinyl but you will notice that visibly it evaporates quickly.

Sources for paint that I use.

Rustoleum - Home Depot, Lowes, and some Wal-Mart stores although not all have what I use.
Posca paint pens - http://www.durablesupply.com/
Belton Moldow Premium - http://artprimo.com/catalog/index.php

The blue gassed and nozzel helmets shown in this thread was a test I did that involved leaving the original paint. It did not work at all with Belton, the paint did not stick and cracks/flakes off easily. I suggest stripping, primer, and then paint of your choice for best results.

Sunday I'll be posting a real installment for this thread. MikeyK is coming over to help take pictures and we will show stripping, priming, and painting.

Feel free to continue to ask any questions.

Another rainout.

MikeyK came over just as it started to rain. Couldn't get out to go anything, again. I'll try to post more info as soon as I can. Has anyone tried stripping a Squadt yet? Don't hesitate to post questions if you are beyond the step of stripping the original paint. I know the order is all messed up here but getting to the end result is what matters.

Sorry everyone!

wow
you've got a great idea and a lot of courage, I think they are pieces that you bought x2
x3
Nice work

I just stripped a nkd nozzel this weekend, found the tip of the mask and head were GID, i also primered with valspar primer. Stripped with acetone and washed afterward. The valspar goes on great if anyone is looking for a easy to get primer, plus they have paint primer combos as well.

Great! I have found a variety of different parts in Squadts I've stripped. Have some parts from bluey. Wonder if I bought enough I could build one complete.

squadts are made up of various parts? really?
that might explain something
the arms on one of my nkd nozl are very very soft
if i pressed firm enough i could flatten the end that goes into the body
i wonder if its gid vinyl reacting with paint
my other nkd isnt like that

now im curious which parts you have found on what specimens

itsa_mia wrote:squadts are made up of various parts? really?
that might explain something
the arms on one of my nkd nozl are very very soft
if i pressed firm enough i could flatten the end that goes into the body
i wonder if its gid vinyl reacting with paint
my other nkd isnt like that

now im curious which parts you have found on what specimens

I have a NKD Nozzle as well that has a glowing cheek. Very very faint but it glows haha

I've taken so many apart that it is tough to say which parts came where. I have two nozzels that had gid blue for the hose. Did find another body that was regular GID. Brightest GID piece I have ever seen!

thats crazy
so theres blueys bits kicking about
i wonder if theres gid jack masks hidden under nkd disguises lol
this is messing with my brain

Hahaha! Next thing we know, freestuff is gonna be stripping all his squadts in an attempt to assemble a blue GID

Looking forward to the next update. And hopefully we get some NKDs soon because I have a few things I wanna try out!

ontheDL wrote:Hahaha! Next thing we know, freestuff is gonna be stripping all his squadts in an attempt to assemble a blue GID

Looking forward to the next update. And hopefully we get some NKDs soon because I have a few things I wanna try out!

Anthony decided to go a different route.

I'll try to get an update together this weekend, really sorry it has taken so long everyone!!!

Wow, thats interesting. Now I know I'm not going crazy, when I turn off the lights I noticed my NKD Nozzel has a very faint glow to him!

Would the acetone method work on the soft rubber flippers that come on the Fr0gs or would it be too harsh? I spray painted a pair but need to strip so I can repaint it... any advice?

CankleBreaker wrote:Would the acetone method work on the soft rubber flippers that come on the Fr0gs or would it be too harsh? I spray painted a pair but need to strip so I can repaint it... any advice?

No idea since I don't know what material they are actually made from.  Wouldn't try it unless I was willing to throw them away.

UPDATE:

Absolutely nothing new to report. Haven't been able to do any painting in months. It has been rainy and humid! Besides which, work has taken all my free time. I am about to quit this job so that will not likely give me more free time as I will be self-employed after that. One of these days I will get back to painting some Squadts, only have half a dozen or so already in process. Still glad to answer any questions that I can so don't hesitate to ask!

Probably missed them but has anyone posted any pics of stuff they have painted??

The flippers are made of a soft PVC type rubber, any ideas Greg?

EDIT: I stripped the spray paint w/ rubbing alcohol, no issues.

EDIT #2: I respray painted the flippers w/ a matte black spray paint, however it doesn't seem like its drying properly. Doesn't seem like its adhering to the vinyl... looks glossy and is still tacky.

im hoping to grab some supplies tomorrow and see how this goes
wondering if i need to buy a clear coat (matt) afterwards to keep the paint on
i suspect ill end up at home depot for this stuff


oct 14 edit: take 2
here's what im going to try next

Greg...HALP!

ontheDL wrote:Greg...HALP!

ive run into a problem

the primer is still very tacky on the arms (rustoleum primer ultra cover 2x)
i know they wont dry if it hasnt happened already

in hindsight i think it would have been best to leave the og paint and just spray ontop
(even on og i notice sometimes the paint doesnt 'stick' to the rubbery arms)

looking suggestions plz

If the primer you applied is enamel it will not dry on bare vinyl. I had this issue with a munny once.

thanks, its not labeled but ill assume it is enamel
the body/head seem fine but the arms are a different substance

i guess my only option is restrip the primer and just go straight paint?
someones painted arms out there, what u do?

You can use primer just make sure it's acrylic. Keep in mind I suck at painting so as far as technique you're on your own.  

Sorry for bringing an old thread up but has anyone ever have any expirience with air brushing? Or any oplinions on air brush vs. spray paint?

I would say use what you have. airbrush is great if you have it , if not then you would need to buy the air brush(adjustable- meaning thin to wide) compressor or compressed air cans, keeping it clean.
Ive been using spraycans, i like the rustoleum (primers)from home depot or lowes, Blicks has Montana spray cans with tons of colors.
i think you can get more detail with a airbrush.
oh and dry brushing works great for detail as well.

Appreciate that! My technique is sloppy when it comes to spray painting. I can never it get it even, so it always comes out sticky after drying.

Always do several light thin coats and allow plenty of drying time in between. Good thing you brought this thread up becus I'm gonna be trying to spray paint a figure soon too!