Customization!

[Darth Legolas]

Well lemme tell you... you can go on ebay, bricklink, any customizer and this is what you will find: Over Priced minifigs!!! You take a first glance at an amazing 501st replica or an awesome Twi'Lek. YOu say "wow! I'd like to get that for the holidays!" So, you click add to cart. When you get there, you see the price. Your jaw drops to the floor and a little ditty goes through your head. "I am NOT buying this!" I mean... Luminara Unduli costs $40 USD! So here's the simple solution: cheap customization!

I've made many minifigs with this method... and learned from many mistakes...

1. Coloring: Sharpie markers or any similar permanent marker brand is great on Lego! Over a period of 3 months and heavy play wear, only a tiny bit rubs off, which you can again reapply. These markers come in a variety of colors, yet sadly... no white. We'll get to that later.

2. Removing color: Yeah. I hate to break it to ya... we're human. (Well most of us! ) We make mistakes. On your first try, you'll likely mess up. So to remove color apply some rubbing alcohol. After a couple of swabs and hard work, it should all be off.

3. Decals: Cheap decals are easy. Print from the computer, apply some hot glue (be careful, and do it quick before it dries!) In simpler terms, cut and paste. To MAKE decals you can go request them from an expert or attempt yourself. Also to resize decals you could use photoshop or again, those of us who are cheap like me, use Powerpoint. Works like a charm, with the resize tool.

4. White: I'm still solving that little problem. Note: Do not attempt to use 3 things. 1. 90 percent of the time plastic paints will NOT work. they won't stay on and leave an ugly faint mark where you tried to apply it. 2. Do not not not not NOT use spraypaint. A lot of people say "maybe I'll be the first to have spray paint work!" It never does. It makes the studs of your pieces get wider around the edges causing it to be worthless, since no pieces can attach any longer. Please remember this. 3. The absolute worst thing of all to ever do EVER is use white out. I am still working on a good way to color [pieces white but whiteout (liquid paper) does NOT work. It leaves and ugly thickness on the piece and the only way to remove it is with Goo-off or Goo-gone. These chemicals are both toxic, can also both melt through plastic, and worst of all, it makes your piece yellow! So if you really wanna make some pieces white, then I suggest going against all of my money saving ideas and buy some fancy little white permanent marker. (Any brand suggestions would help, and be taken in thankfully! )

So thanks, by the way I'm new... and umm... the most important thing to remember is that if the new minifigure is coming out next week (Yoda! ) Then be a patient and good little boy/girl and wait. Don't waste your pieces. Oh and one last pointer: If you are trying to change the shape of an actually piece (like with tools and scissors) then there's only a 40% chance. The only time it's worked for me is cutting off the line of the harpoon making it into a blaster. Thanks for your time!

Edited May 9, 2009 by Darth Legolas

[KimT]

Oddly this belongs in the minifig customization forum

[Darth Legolas]

Oddly this belongs in the minifig customization forum

This proves I'm new, don't it?

Now to find the perfect way to make a piece white...

[tin7_creations]

i also suggest buying sculpey. it's fun and challenging at the same time, sculpt your own molds. sculpey's cheap as well!

[Bobskink]

Good guide, but one comment. I sell a lot of customs on eBay, it helps me buying other toys I collect, actually, that's the only reason I sell them, collecting Lego is an expensive hobby. And some may find that some customs are overpriced, but when you calculate the time, material, eBay costs and paypal costs you put in it they are not that expensive at all. There are some exelent customisers out there and they deserve every €, $ or £ they get for it.

Edited December 16, 2008 by Bobskink

[Darth Legolas]

Thanks to the 2 who replied. I will post my own Luminara fig soon. I also had a Kit Fisto but I just got the real one!

I'm working on a Galactic Marine (looks like a snow trooper, but with red on helmet) trooper, and it's turning out great! I forgot to mention but if you want to make a darker color such as dark red, get a black marker and blend it into the tip ofthe red sharpie. It works perfeclty, except for blue, which turns out purple!

[heyann]

Using double-sided tape actually works a lot better than hot glue for decals. Also, putting regular scotch tape on the front gives it a nice finish.