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*** Head on over to my Ebay Auctions to see what’s available this week, or commission me if you’d like your very own custom action figure like this one. ***
After picking up the new TMNT figures, I noticed they had beautiful sculpts, but hardly any paint applications. Seeing a way to fix that, I set out to give proper paint jobs to each of the four turtles in order to really bring out the great sculpt. Each turtle has been painted with 4 different shades of green on their skin, each one having the right skin tone for their character (Leonardo – True green, Donatello – Olive green, Michelangelo – Light yellow green, Raphael – Dark blue green). Washes have been applied to their shells, and their pads, straps, and belts have been painted to look like worn leather.
I’ve even repainted each of their weapons. For Michelangelo, I gave him real chains on his nunchaku and his kusarigama. I did the same thing to Donatello’s trisected bo staff. All of their weapons were painted with realistic weathering and metallic effects for the blades. I won’t understand why Playmates gave these figures such great sculpts but decided not to show them off with an equally good paint job, but they’re fully painted now and ready to take on Shredder and the Foot Clan!
Be sure to also check below for some comparison shots with the original unpainted factory figures.
Impressive work !!! BRAVO
How did you do with the chains ? Where did you find them ?
I found the figures at Target. They had them in the back. The chains came from Michaels I believe. I just used small chain and cut off the plastic chains on the weapons. π
Well done.
Now your turtles are awesome.
Thank you. π
These are amazing!
When you get a chance I’d love to read a quick overview of your process on this.
I second this! I’m just getting into custom painting and I think this is a good first project for me. I love the turtles!
Fantastic job, BTW
Wow! I like the retail version, but your repaints make them look shamefully cheap. I wish these were available instead. They are flawless and beautiful!
Thank you. I thought the sculpts of these were perfect, they just needed a good coat of paint to help really bring it out.
Hey John! I love how u used black wash to incorporate how much detail really is put in these figures, absolutely amazing!!! Love the way they look, love how you painted every weapon, an more importantly the chains!!
I knew if I bought my TMNT Figures id have to add chains to them, but I didnt exactly know were to find any till I read the previous comments. One thing id love to modify myself is their Party Wagon!! XD
Again awesome work, and thank you for showing me that theirs a possibility to add real chains to the weapons!! =D
Thank you, that means a lot. I hope it helps you out with your own TMNT figures.
I know it will thank you so much!! π And anytime!
GREAT stuff!! Love to see you do the same thing to some Transformers … π
Amazing job! Would you do a set of these for a commission? And if so, how much would it cost? Also do you plan on doing the 11inch versions?
I do not plan on doing the bigger versions, but I’d be more than happy to paint you up your own custom set. I don’t like to discuss pricing in the comments, so email me at: john.mintcondition@gmail.com and I can give you a quote for the entire set.
Awesome job! Love it! I’ve been a fan of the TMNT since the Mirage days. I’ve sent an email requesting commission for TMNT figures. Can’t wait to hear back from you!
first and foremost awesome customs!!! I picked up the whole set of 9 and repainted all the weapons right out the box!! I wanna pick up another set to try and ad the real chains to mine or I might just sculpt them from scratch. anyway I wanted some advice on my next tmnt custom job. I’m just getting into customs and I’m thinking I’m gonna make an attempt at a custom Slash. I’ve decided to go with Raph for the base fig and sculpt the various spikes and what not but from there I’m stuck… any advice… thanx in advance!!
I would recommend getting a Vintage Slash figure and utilizing parts from him to complete the custom, to save yourself sculpting. It’s what I plan to do ha ha.
Hi, I was wanting to touch up my Turtles as well, but I’ve read that the weapons were very paint resistant. Did you have any difficulties with them? Any tips? Thanks! π
Yes, nothing but difficulty. They’re molded in a very waxy plastic. The best you can do is lightly sand them down, or perhaps use some Bulldog Adhesion Promoter: http://www.wmbarr.com/Images/ProductImages/etpo123image.jpg
It’s used on CARS for crying out loud…it’s not cheap, due to that fact, but a coat of that on the weapons and the paint will stay on perfectly.
So I’ve been in love with your customs for a while, but after purchasing the entire 2012 TMNT set I have to agree – they are painfully under-detailed.
I’ve been wanting to dive into figure painting/customizing for a long time. Do you have any recommended places to draw inspiration/tutorials/misc info from? There is an imageboard that I frequent that almost always has a “customs thread” running but there is a woeful lack of information for newcomers to the scene.
Keep up the good work, John! You’ve inspired me to take my painting into the third dimension.
– Alex
Thanks man. That makes me feel awesome to hear. I actually do have some links for you.
These three links should give you everything you need to know to start customizing:
https://www.figurerealm.com/viewcustomtutorial.php
http://www.jinsaotomesdangeroustoys.com/guides.html
https://mintconditioncustom.com/guides/
Awesome work! I was hoping to repaint these turtles myself when they finally arrive in the UK and I had some questions if you wouldn’t mind sharing your wisdom! Firstly, since you repainted the skin, did you have to take the figures apart to get into the joints and hard to reach areas? Also, I’m guessing you used acrylics – will acrylic model paints for miniature wargaming do the trick? Finally, how did you apply the dark wash? Thanks!
First off, amazing work! Those turtles look extremely nice with the added paint details.
Secondly, Was just wondering what you used paint-wise on the figures themselves since they are cast in rubbery plastic. I was going to paint mine to have all red bandanas (i.e. the comics), but with the rubbery plastic, I’m not sure what paint to use. Seems like acrylic would crack off and enamels remain tacky.
Acrylics will work. Use Testors Model Masters though. They’ll adhere to the rubbery plastic and they won’t crack. π
Thanks! Going to make some comic inspired TMNT with a complete re-paint and some big foot mods. lol
Awesome work! Do you mind me asking what color/s were used for the wash on the turtles skin? Did you use different colors to correspond to the different turtle or just one color across the board?
I used different colors. Some Testors, some Citadel paints, because they have a lot of different green flesh tones. Some I had to hand mix to get right. It was a pain lol.
I wish I could get a set of weapons painted from you…..these customs are probably the best I’ve seen.
Email me at: john.mintcondition@gmail.com about it. π
I was randomly searching google when I stumbled upon these. Repainting action figures had never occured to me and I thought it was an awesome idea. So i took out one of my ole 80s turtles and did my first (practice) job on Head Droppin’ Don. I would love to see your work on some of the original 80s line. Especially any of the crazy disguises they had. Keep up the awesome work sir!
Thank you! I might delve into the vintage figures, or at the very least using parts from the vintage figures in combination with modern ones. I have some ideas up my sleeve, for sure.
I just picked up a couple of these figures and plan on trying to get the rest of the series this weekend. One thing I want do do is make Venus and Slash by swapping pieces with Mikey and Don. I was wondering if you know how to get them apart (boil and pop?). I’ll almost definitely be Emailing you about repaints too, do you also do sculpting?
All the parts made of soft plastic just need to be heated up to make them really soft and they’ll pop apart. I personally use a hair dryer, because it’s much quicker and you don’t have to worry about letting the figures dry off.
hello u still got them on ebay right!
if u r selling them is the back ground stand coming with it?
They’re not on eBay anymore, but I would be more than happy to repaint you your own set! π
thanks for the reply dear
Oka u can do the same with mickys steel chain wepon and how much will it cost.
Coz if its sutabile with me i will be sending u the money to start on them
Thank you.
hello dear
i would really like to know how much will u charge me on the same thing u did on this figures and there wepones specialy the chains on mickys wepon
if the price is fine with me i will send them to u so u can start on painting them for me i would like to have the same of what u did?
Can you post a full picture of the base instead of just close ups.
i like this website
I’ve got all four turtles but none of them came with anything.. their all in great shape I just need weapons.. preferred original.. tho I love what you have done.. do you know anyway I can get my hands on them.. your help would be greatly appreciated!!