Mcfarlane Figure Questions

[Viking Slade]

I've got two questions at the moment regarding the Mcfarlane figures. I have five figures that I'm looking to paint up, but I know there some best practices for this.

 

First is, what is the best way to safely partially disassemble the figure for easier washing?

 

Second, my Assault Intercessor is one of the pre-painted ones. Do I need to strip this one first somehow, or can I simply prime over the factory paint job?

[Grotsmasha]

1 hour ago, Viking Slade said:

First is, what is the best way to safely partially disassemble the figure for easier washing?

Soaking in hot hot water will aid assembly and disassembly. 

When reassembling, on warm one piece at a time. For example, start with the chest piece, warm abdomen and push into chest, warm arms, push into chest etc. work inside out.

1 hour ago, Viking Slade said:

Second, my Assault Intercessor is one of the pre-painted ones. Do I need to strip this one first somehow, or can I simply prime over the factory paint job?

A light wet sand with fine sand paper/sanding stick will give a better surface for a prime coat to adhere to. You don't need to sand all the way through the factory colour, just a good solid roughing.

[Evil Eye]

Hot water will help, but be aware the McFarlane figures are designed to be disassembled for painting so it should be fairly simple. As for painting, you can paint over the factory paint; most of it is coloured plastic anyway. That said I would recommend priming with a good lacquer primer, and doing the majority of colour "blocking in" with a durable, solvent-based paint by airbrush (Tamiya, Mr. Color etc) and reserving acrylics for details. You COULD use full acrylics but be aware they won't handle wear as well, and for a poseable figure that could be a problem. Topcoating should help in any event but still.

 

I'd actually recommend looking up videos and tutorials on Gunpla painting, as the principle (painting a poseable figure that's going to be manipulated) is much the same.

 

I gave my McFarlane Flayed One a complete paintjob, used Tamiya for the majority of it.