1/6 Hot Toys Batman & Batmobile - Batman Begins

[rory]

Thought I'd share this here. I know it's the quarter scale, but I thought the mod process might be helpful for those who want to dull their 1/6 Begins figure without pulling off the paint, because I'd wager they use a very similar suit material for both. I always felt the quarter scale figure was too shiny as well. Last night I gave the entire body and cowl a few light coats with a mix of matte/satin finish topcoat. It definitely knocked back the shine a bit and helped match the finish of the cowl to the suit better. I also gave the gauntlets a semi gloss finish to better match the film version. The top coat I used, and this is crucial, is Vallejo Mecha Finish (it's a far more durable sealer). This is a WATER based Acrylic top coat, so it's the least chemically abrasive choice. I also sprayed it on in three really light mist coats, letting it dry in between, as it doesn't take much at all to do the job.

Not sure if it's any help on the 1/6 version, but thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[Nine Inch Nails]

I was actually coming here for recommendations on painting the gauntlets. Thanks.

 

[rory]

I was actually coming here for recommendations on painting the gauntlets. Thanks.

I used Vallejo's acrylic gloss topcoat. It's safe for the plastic, but isn't as durable as I'd like on the gauntlet's smooth unpainted plastic. So I'll probably properly prime, paint and seal them in the future.

 

[willy156]

now that's a beautiful looking batman begins figure. shame on hot toys for their atrocious 1/6

 

[Nine Inch Nails]

I used Vallejo's acrylic gloss topcoat. It's safe for the plastic, but isn't as durable as I'd like on the gauntlet's smooth unpainted plastic. So I'll probably properly prime, paint and seal them in the future.

Since I’m a noob at this,

Prime, then paint, and conclude with seal? Clear primer?

 

[Nine Inch Nails]

Wonder if ungluing the crouch area and then raising it a little will help the crouch area and abs be more accurate.

 

[rory]

Since I’m a noob at this,

Prime, then paint, and conclude with seal? Clear primer?

Yeah, first I'd do a light sand with a fine grit nail sponge just to give the primer some texture to stick to. Next a few light coats of a Tamiya fine surface primer. Then probably a few coats of gloss black base, like Alclad Gloss Black, building up to a heavy "wet" coat that will leave it smooth and glossy. The primer, and the Alclad (which is really more of an enamel paint) are pretty damn durable on their own, so then I'd just use an acrylic satin topcoat to tone down the gloss finish to the more screen accurate semi-gloss. Sounds like a lot, but it goes pretty fast. And since it's all one color, you kinda breeze through it. The pieces being black already, I thought I could cheat, and go straight to the semi-gloss topcoat, but since the gauntlets appear to be unpainted plastic, there's really nothing for the acrylic coat to "bite" into, meaning it's a bit less durable.

 

[Zurdo95D]

Thought I'd share this here. I know it's the quarter scale, but I thought the mod process might be helpful for those who want to dull their 1/6 Begins figure without pulling off the paint, because I'd wager they use a very similar suit material for both. I always felt the quarter scale figure was too shiny as well. Last night I gave the entire body and cowl a few light coats with a mix of matte/satin finish topcoat. It definitely knocked back the shine a bit and helped match the finish of the cowl to the suit better. I also gave the gauntlets a semi gloss finish to better match the film version. The top coat I used, and this is crucial, is Vallejo Mecha Finish (it's a far more durable sealer). This is a WATER based Acrylic top coat, so it's the least chemically abrasive choice. I also sprayed it on in three really light mist coats, letting it dry in between, as it doesn't take much at all to do the job.

Not sure if it's any help on the 1/6 version, but thought I'd throw it out there.

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[user 72759]

Thought I'd share this here. I know it's the quarter scale, but I thought the mod process might be helpful for those who want to dull their 1/6 Begins figure without pulling off the paint, because I'd wager they use a very similar suit material for both. I always felt the quarter scale figure was too shiny as well. Last night I gave the entire body and cowl a few light coats with a mix of matte/satin finish topcoat. It definitely knocked back the shine a bit and helped match the finish of the cowl to the suit better. I also gave the gauntlets a semi gloss finish to better match the film version. The top coat I used, and this is crucial, is Vallejo Mecha Finish (it's a far more durable sealer). This is a WATER based Acrylic top coat, so it's the least chemically abrasive choice. I also sprayed it on in three really light mist coats, letting it dry in between, as it doesn't take much at all to do the job.

Not sure if it's any help on the 1/6 version, but thought I'd throw it out there.

View attachment 617393
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That’s looking a lot better. I tried to do a lot of the same stuff too but I couldn’t get past that damn full diaper look the Hot Toys figure has. I ended up swapping its accessories over to an enterbay figure. I’m not happy with the cowl but that will be fixed soon enough.

 

[rory]

I’m not bothered by his crotch armor. It’s mostly his limited articulation and cowl that bothers me. I’m happy with his suit and finish now, especially his semi-matte appearance, but man those clunky ratchet joints and that cross eyed looking cowl is aggravating.

 

[MedievaL]

Thought I'd share this here. I know it's the quarter scale, but I thought the mod process might be helpful for those who want to dull their 1/6 Begins figure without pulling off the paint, because I'd wager they use a very similar suit material for both. I always felt the quarter scale figure was too shiny as well. Last night I gave the entire body and cowl a few light coats with a mix of matte/satin finish topcoat. It definitely knocked back the shine a bit and helped match the finish of the cowl to the suit better. I also gave the gauntlets a semi gloss finish to better match the film version. The top coat I used, and this is crucial, is Vallejo Mecha Finish (it's a far more durable sealer). This is a WATER based Acrylic top coat, so it's the least chemically abrasive choice. I also sprayed it on in three really light mist coats, letting it dry in between, as it doesn't take much at all to do the job.

Not sure if it's any help on the 1/6 version, but thought I'd throw it out there.

Will the coating flake off if you bend the suit?

 

[rory]

Will the coating flake off if you bend the suit?

It’s highly unlikely. It’s water based acrylic, so it’s very soft and seems to bind really well to the rubber. Of course it’s basically just a few mist coats so not really heavy enough to peel or flake. It’s more likely that it would just sort of fade away with excessive handling. But time will tell.

 

[Kameo Kid]

I swapped out bodies too. Just used plain old gel super glue. Holds like a champ.

I’ve always just used rubber cement in the past.

 

[MedievaL]

It’s highly unlikely. It’s water based acrylic, so it’s very soft and seems to bind really well to the rubber. Of course it’s basically just a few mist coats so not really heavy enough to peel or flake. It’s more likely that it would just sort of fade away with excessive handling. But time will tell.

Since I don’t have an airbrush I’ve got to use spray cans matte spray.

 

[rory]

Since I don’t have an airbrush I’ve got to use spray cans matte spray.

I would be careful with that. Most aerosol topcoats are lacquer based which could have really damaging affects to the rubber of the suit.

 

[MedievaL]

I would be careful with that. Most aerosol topcoats are lacquer based which could have really damaging affects to the rubber of the suit.

You are right. I shall have to rethink this. Was it difficult to remove the suit so you could dremel the sides away for his arm to stick closer?

 

[creasy]

Just got my shipping notice from sideshow for this

 

[franpincho]

Can someone please list recommendations as to what to do to make this figure look better?

Other than putting it in the trash or return it, please?

Custom cape, what else?

Surely not looking to spend more than what the figure costs. Any other modding needed that can be done by someone that hates moding things?

Explanations assuming the person is 11 years old will help.

Asking for a friend.

 

[Nine Inch Nails]

Can someone please list recommendations as to what to do to make this figure look better?

Other than putting it in the trash or return it, please?

Custom cape, what else?

Surely not looking to spend more than what the figure costs. Any other modding needed that can be done by someone that hates moding things?

Explanations assuming the person is 11 years old will help.

Asking for a friend.

Well if you don’t want to spend money on a sculpt, all you can do is glue the cape clips in the right area( though the way the cowl is made on the bottom it still wont accurate) and then tilt the head down.

The body, you can use tape to get rid of the shine or let the shine naturally go away. Futz with the articulation to get a more natural look. You can lower the belt a little.

Any other modification will require actual work and more money down which by the looks of your post, you don’t want to put in

 

[Drftfan]

I just wanted to provide an update. My alcohol treated Begins figure looks exactly the same as it did the day I did it. I have fully inspected it and I see nothing detrimental to the rubber suit.
I am looking forward to my OT cowl and cape being added to it. I will be repainting the entire figure at that point with a premium paint used in the special effects industry so it will all match. I will be using Imperial Surfaces Kashmir which is very flat in finish. It is just very expensive if you are only doing a figure or two.