Customizing Action Figures Tutorial - How to Remove Tampographs and Paint from figures

[@CollectorExpress]

I wanted to let everyone know that Winsor and Newton have changed the formula for their brush cleaner. The new bottles don't have "restorer" on them, and the new formula no longer works as a paint remover.

[@jasoncain4593]

Great to see another tutorial up! I never get tired of these. ALWAYS something new to learn. Awesome job as always!

[@jasoncain4593]

Thanks for the mention too! 😁

[@namelessjedi2242]

Thanks for explaining this so thoroughly.

[@wilfredoflores4364]

Amazing video! This helped me with learning some stuff, and another video of yours helped me with another custom! Thank so much!

[@CollectorExpress]

Great to hear that the tutorials helped out!

[@apachegypsy88-98]

Thanks so much for making these videos! Super helpful!

[@CollectorExpress]

Glad it was helpful! I should have more coming soon.

[@kurious2a607]

Thanks This will definitely come in handy in the future. I'm new to customizing and suck with a brush. 😄

[@CollectorExpress]

Starting out I ruined a few figures trying to figure things out. We all start at square one... that's why I like to share these tips and tricks to help make the learning experience easier. And with the prices of figures nowadays we can't have costly lessons like that anymore 😁

[@domenicvavala5646]

Great video, thanks for the awesome tips!

[@jonathanhampshire6856]

Another great vid with some top tips. Keep em coming and thank you.

[@CollectorExpress]

Thanks, will do!

[@Saiyan1229]

The super clean has taken off all the paint as easy as it did in the video. How long should i leave it in there? Removing a whole paint job on a figure like you had to do

[@CollectorExpress]

It depends on the type of paint and if you applied any sealer. If the paint has been sealed its taken a couple of days with scrubbing every so often. But just acrylics 30 minutes to and hour.

[@neillowery7634]

Awesome info!!

[@CollectorExpress]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaeljohnson4624]

Question I used a chrome marker on my marvel figure do have any idea how to remove it

[@dmvdream-shootintheish...5266]

Hey great vid. I’m having trouble with my paint scuffing after I’ve applied the finish. What I’m I doing wrong? Thanks if you can help.

[@CollectorExpress]

A lot of figures have very tight tolerances where you need to sand/shave down the collision points to allow for the extra thickness that the paint adds to the figure.

[@dmvdream-shootintheish...5266]

@@CollectorExpress ok thanks

[@BoArtTakeOver]

What about if dye rubbed off on a figure from a custom cape, how can I remove that, acetone doesn’t seem to be super effective

[@CollectorExpress]

That can be very difficult to remove. The dye can actually soak into softer plastics. I had a similar issue with the G.I.Joe Classified Dr. Mindbender the cheap cape Hasbro put on it stained the shoulders. Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner wasn't removing it, so I had to sand the parts and then use the Winsor & Newton on the parts to remove the stains.

[@cristian.crixus]

Hi, one question: you know how enlarge the legs or body of CALIBAN, for increase his high to 9 inches or make muscular legs in the Professor Hulk BAF figure?

[@JomasterTheSecond]

Are there any good alternative brands for the brush cleaner product? It's very expensive to get the Winsor and Newton brand here in Australia so I'm just wondering if there's any cheaper brands out there.

[@CollectorExpress]

Acetone will also work, but you have to be very careful with it as it will damage the plastic if you use to much.

[@onlycheez]

Same issue here in Australia.. Did you end up finding anything, beside acetone (which I REALLY want to avoid)?

[@lokiwartooth1138]

So this super clean stuff will work on acrylic but leave the original paint in tact? My son painted my duke classified all black with acrylic primer.

[@CollectorExpress]

I've had really good luck with removing acrylic paints with it, and it doesn't bother the factory paint. But you don't want to let it soak for too long on lighter plastics. Because if left in too it can soak into the softer plastic tinting it purple.

[@djb6496]

Some of my old action figures feel very sticky. Just the plastic parts. Anyway to remove that?

[@CollectorExpress]

I would try hot water bath with some Dawn dish washing detergent first scrubbed with a toothbrush. If that doesn't do the trick move up to Clorox wipes. And for the more extreme measure is a bath in Super Clean and a scrub with a toothbrush, but be sure to ware rubber gloves.

[@vanessaashba520]

Hello...that was a great video..have you restored a action figure for someone you don't know..I'm trying to make an action figure for my autistic daughter..she loves general tataran from the 1980s he man..I have ordered the head and body armor..but I don't know how to paint it..do you or can you recommend someone for me.. thanks

[@CollectorExpress]

I personally don't do commissions, and I couldn't really point you to someone directly. On Instagram there is a great community of very talented customizers and toy restorers someone there should be able to help you out. You should be able to find someone there using the #customactionfigures - instagram.com/explore/tags/customactionfigures/ I hope that you can find someone to help out.

[@emnems809]

Great video and awesome tips. One question: what brand is the clear coat nail polish? Thanks

[@CollectorExpress]

I'm glad that this was helpful. The one that I used in this video is Revlon, but any brand should work.

[@maddestmike5791]

Thanks, this will help a lot. ^^

[@DocChristiansen]

Great vid!! Will this work on the Classified Road Pig's stomach tattoo??

[@DocChristiansen]

You are using nail polish or nail polish remover??

[@CollectorExpress]

I used clear nail polish, which has acetone in it. It's what strips the paint. I like using it because you can control where it goes better. It depends on the type of paint they used on Road Pig's tattoo. Some of the newer digitally printed graphics can be stubborn to remove. I've used the clear nail polish to remove chest tattoos off of WWE figures, so it's a good possibility that it will work.

[@whitemikebegeta6439]

Have you tried using .3 brake fluid

[@CollectorExpress]

I haven't ever tried using brake fluid to remove paint. Is that what you use?

[@namelessjedi2242]

ToyPolloi has used it on his channel. Brake fluid as well as lighter fluid.

[@mysteryzack2857]

Does nail polish damage original painting?

[@CollectorExpress]

Yes, if the nail polish gets on the original paint it will start to dissolve the paint.

[@combustedgremlin6716]

I have a question. Do you know how to remove scuffs on matte painted figures? For example, when you hold a figure at different angles, you can sometimes see those lines / streaks on the paint. Is there any way to safely buff out those shiny scuffs?

[@Avenging_Archer]

I tried removing paint from the classic Sunfire marvel legends and it's just left a mess using acetone mostly. Plastic seems ok but it's been very slow and it looks like a smudged mess or white on red.

[@ozymandias2k]

Can you please tell me if the Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner can damage the plastic? I know that too much acetone on the plastic can definitely damage some plastic but wasn't sure about the Winsor & Newton. Thanks in advance!

[@CollectorExpress]

If left on too long it can indeed damage the plastic. That's why I use just a little at a time with a q-tip. It's also good to rinse off the parts when finished as well.

[@ozymandias2k]

@@CollectorExpress Thank you so much for your response. Any idea if this is milder than acetone or similar? There is a line of action figures (Jakks classic superstars) whose plastics gets damaged by acetone so been experimenting with different solvents to see which one wouldn't be too harsh. So far, either they can't remove the paint or is too harsh :(

[@adamcosmic4278]

I've tried the Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner to remove the acrylic paint on Marvel Legends figures, and it literally does nothing, even if I rub with a solution soaked q-tip for a full minute. The label on the bottle I purchased is newer and different, and I wonder if the company diluted the solution strength to be far less corrosive.

[@adamcosmic4278]

I looked at the Amazon reviews just now, and reviewers there claim that the company changed the brush cleaner formula, and now it works about as good as "tap water". I can confirm that has been my experience so far, ugh. On another note, I've learned that pure acetone actually works pretty smooth and isn't too harsh on ML limbs and chests, which are made of a different kind of plastic than ML abdomens, but unfortunately, it quickly dissolves this different abdomen plastic, which compromises sculpted contours and leaves a shiny surface in its path of destruction that is in stark contrast to the original plastic.

[@Southtown_Paint_Appz]

Great video bro!

[@CollectorExpress]

Appreciate it!

[@alessandrosignore7500]

What's the Brand of the Polish remover? O Need to get those splotches from the what if Spidey.

[@CollectorExpress]

I use Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner & Restorer to remove splotches and other tampos.

[@darkangel076]

First off, props to you for making a Prime custom - I didn't think anyone remembered or cared about those old Malibu characters. Second, a question: What method do you recommend to remove the symbol from Classified Gung-Ho's chest? Last but not least, have you ever heard of/tried the dry erase marker method?

[@CollectorExpress]

With having both the brush cleaner and clear nail polish available either would work. But for that I would probably use the clear nail polish. The dry eraser method sounds familiar, but I haven't tried it personally. I'll give that a try later on. Thanks.

[@CollectorExpress]

Yeah, I am a big fan of the Ultraverse and a lot of the characters from that universe. It's sad that Marvel rushed to buy it just to keep DC comics from buying it just to shelve the characters and never use them again.

[@darkangel076]

@@CollectorExpress That's what I was thinking as well. Thanks!

[@muursnorthwestamexem8581]

Are you taking commissions

[@Nekro_216]

Can Goof-Off be used? Or is it too harsh to use on plastics? Love your channel Brotha!

[@CollectorExpress]

I haven't tried Goof-Off to remove tampographs, so I couldn't really couldn't say.

[@ghostman5620]

Wanted to remove the camo from Classified Dusty's face. Goof-off worked... Took a lot of scrubbing with cotton swabs...but once it broke thru, it was pretty easy and clean.

[@Nekro_216]

@@ghostman5620 I have found that Windsor & Newton Brush Cleaner works best. Apply a small amount on q-tip(trust and believe, a little goes a long way)and immediately clean any excess with a damp soapy rag. It will remove any paint or tampo.

[@ghostman5620]

Sorry....it was Goo-gone, specifically.

[@Southtown_Paint_Appz]

Great video bro!!! Ty

[@CollectorExpress]

Thank you very much 👍🙂

[@MrTopera69]

Nice.

[@CollectorExpress]

Thanks!

[@benquirobiequiratman4646]

Sand the number off or paint thiner

[@CollectorExpress]

Sometimes both... if you need to sand the raised numbers after you finish sanding you can take a dab of thinner on a q-tip and smooth out the surface.

[@benquirobiequiratman4646]

I ate get some super clean I'm custamizing me A cyberpunck from scratch with a vintage 12 inch Gi Joe Marine red shirt

[@BoydFilms]

whos darkheart

[@CollectorExpress]

Misspoke, I meant Blackheart.

[@darthtater6543]

Make sure you don’t get any of that stuff on your hands, shows he has gloves, then proceeds to not wear the gloves 😂

[@CollectorExpress]

I take it that you didn't watch the entire video because I do wear gloves when using the Super Clean.

[@darthtater6543]

@@CollectorExpress No I watched the entire video, yes you used them on the super clean but you even said the other stuff you shouldn’t get on your hands either lol 😂 like the brush clean. I also took your advice and bought myself super clean, that stuff is amazing.