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liz-neko — Epic MLP: FIM Customizing Tutorial Of Awesomeness!
Published: 2013-06-06 20:37:26 +0000 UTC; Views: 9944; Favourites: 141; Downloads: 53
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EDIT Part Deux: I re-discovered both of the vectors used here on dA! The first is "Therapist Sparkle" and it was done by the talented JunkiesNewb [link] while the second is "Nurse Redheart" created by the wonderful lockiesajt [link] and you should totally head on over and take a peek at their stuff!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT: Guess what epic customizing tutorial just got posted on Equestria Daily? This one!! If you are as awesome as this is, you should head on over and check it out!!
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Part One! If you guys like it, more shall follow.
As far as the vectors and other random photos that I didn't make myself...I found them on google and bing image searches...so I don't know who made them... If I did, I would give credit where credit is due. The only one I know where came from is the "Discord Approved" logo in the bottom corner. That was made by the wonderful Ambris [link] and can be found in the scraps folder. If you are someone who made one of these vectors, just lemme know and I will indeed credit you!
Questions, comments, requests for other tutorials? Leave 'em below!
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Comments: 62
If they're the long and super skinny ones used for beading and metal work, ...maybe? I don't own a pair of these, so I can't say for sure. But I don't know that I can see the regular pluck-my-eyebrows kind to be much good. The hole into the head is too small for the tweezers to be able to open fully (at least for MY tweezers, anyway) so pulling the hair out would probably be a very long and tedious process.
If you do end up trying it, let me know how it goes. I would be interested to hear about it.
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I asked my mom(a science teacher) and she said that acetone is somewhat of a controlled substance. Would paint remover work as well?
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A controlled substance? Well I suppose if you were the wild, crazy, and possessing questionable judgment type, you could probably use it for less than intelligent purposes. (I wouldn't know anything about that though. I'm crazy, but I like having my brain cells intact, thank you very much.) You don't get carded or anything for buying it at Walgreens/CVS/any other beauty store though (at least I never have). I mean, basically, it's a condensed form of nail polish remover, so I can't think that access to it would be too terribly restricted. (However, they do check IDs for cough medicine now, so I'm not willing to put any money on that.)
At any rate, every type of solution that I have used/researched for removing paint in any application is, well, some form of noxious chemical that can do less than pleasant things to you or anything you happen to apply it to. I prefer acetone because I know that it won't dissolve the plastic of my pony bait unless I soak the darn thing in it (see here for further info on that: fav.me/d6pv4vh) and that I won't risk getting high off of it unless I hold the bottle directly under my nose. I don't know what a regular paint remover would do to pony plastic, having never tried it myself. If you read the label and see that it lists PVC based plastics as a safe surface to use said remover on, then you will probably be fine. Otherwise, I would hesitate to recommend it.
And long answer was long! I hope I didn't confuse you too badly!
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Yeah... and then five hours after she said that(church), I went out and found it at my local Wal-Mart. Also, and sorry to bug you, but could you explain how exactly you re-install the neck plug? I want to start on that step, but I don't want to mess up. Oh, and I got the head half-bald, but the higher on the head I go, the harder it is to get the hair out. So I reached a point where I wasn't pulling anything out, and I've tried three different tools.
Sorry for the pseudo info-dump! I just really want to see if this is something I could benefit from. Thanks!
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I like this tutorial! I accidentally used nail polish one one of my pony's (Lyra) eyes. But the next time I go to wallmart or something I'll make sure I get some Acetone! But still,thanks for making this! I'll add this to my favorites and I'll watch you! I hope to see more awesome stuff!
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Yay! I'm so glad you found my tutorial helpful. I have created several others too, for the later stages of customizing. Also, if you have any questions about things I didn't cover, I'm always willing to lend a hand!
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I really wish I could some day finish my toy. I actually did use nail polish remover on it and it worked great for me. I just need to get the hair for it but for some reason... We never ordered it :/
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Really? How come? Seems a bit sad to do all that work and then not finish...
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I told my parents to order some and they said ''Lets look at it next week'' It's been over 1 year when I asked
He is just there looking at me with just one hair tuft that I got from a wig and with his head removed. I lost the part that keeps it in place
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That's so sad! And doll hair is so inexpensive, too! You have my sympathies!
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Well hopefully I can finally get my mom order some. I would LOVE to get some glow in dark hair
Do you have some sites where I can order some? I only have Dollyhair or something. Can't remember XD
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Glow in the dark hair? Sweet action! Retro Dolls sells that, actually. It's a wee bit more, due to A. the effect and B. it ships from the UK, but it is still quite affordable! You can find it in their "special effects" section at their website, here: www.retrodolls.co.uk/
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I just visited the site and looked at the fantasy nylon hairs but sadly the pages won't work Dx
But at least I can get the glow in the dark one. I need to order one color from dollyhair and still search for the third one.
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I cracked up remembering what I did to the tail when I made my Fluffle Puff. I cut it to a nub then pushed it inside the body with a pencil XD
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*blink, blink* That's a new one... I've heard of people cutting them out before, but never leaving the stub in.
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Or, instead of using acetone (this is what im gonna do) you could paint over the whole pony with white paint until it goes?
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Good question! Complicated answer. I shall elaborate! ^_^
If you're planning on painting the whole pony white (primer style) before painting your actual base coats on top, that is, in fact, a viable option. I did this with both my nearly completed Queen Chrysalis and my in progress baby Celestia. However, if that is what you are planning to do, I STRONGLY recommend using actual primer paint to do so- spray paint or airbrush style if at all possible. A lot of white acrylics dry weird over the manufacturer decals. They kind of bead up and run off or dry with a really rough and ugly texture. More of a pain than it's worth, really.
Since I live in the weather crap-shoot that is the American Midwest and do not have access to a spray booth (*sob*), I find that removing the paint is just way easier and more convenient for me than waiting for a nice enough day to prime stuff outside. However, if this is a workable option for you, go for it. It's all about what makes your life easiest, after all.
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I just have to say, I found this highly informative AND highly amusing. I want to read the rest of your tutorials just for entertainment sake now! But as I'm about to attempt my 1st pony custom, this is super useful too. 
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Thank you so much!
If you don't mind my asking, who are you making?
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I'm probably going to make a fandom pony. I just don't know which one just yet. I have a few in mind. We'll see where inspiration takes me!
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Well, good luck to you then. Go forth and conquer!!!
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Thanks! I seriously see what you meant about the first few layers of paint looking like they'll come right off. After coat 5-6, she's looking great. Now to decide how to paint the rest of her... (Using a current happy meal Celestia, tail cut off, sculpt going over it.)
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Yeah. They kinda have the acid-washed look at first, don't they?
You should totally send me a pic when you're done. I love seeing what other people come up with when inspired!
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I'm going to post it in my gallery when it's done. I started a fakie pony too. The mane is sculpted but the tail needs to be done still. And I need to choose a body color to paint it...
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I went and looked at your gallery to see the fakie you mentioned. That is some of the most puzzling molded hair I believe I have ever seen. Please tell me that it was at least painted when you bought it because if it wasn't...dang...
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My Rarity head has got a blob of hardened glue that doesn't let me pluck all her hair. What should I do to remove it?
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That does indeed happen sometimes. Rarity's especially always seem to have tons of glue brains... Here's a couple potential fixes for that:
-Keep your dunk water super hot and re-submerge the head in it as often as you need to. The glue is much easier to remove when the plastic of your pony's head is nice and squishy.
-Reach in with your forceps/pliers and, keeping them closed, rock them back in forth in a scraping motion against the inner wall of the plastic. If the glue sticks out enough, this should dislodge it.
-Use your thumb to push in the plastic of the pony head along the hairline where the glue blob is. The plastic will be squishy thanks to your dunk water but the glue will stay rigid. Pushing against the plastic should crack the glue and allow you to pull it out.
Hope this helps!
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Right now I'm preparing to attempt and try out customizing.Since the only figure I have is a crystal motion pony, I wanted to ask if these tutorials would work on one.
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Well, that's kind of a complicated answer, because it largely depends on which Crystal Motion pony you own. Each of the three species (Earth pony, Unicorn, and Pegasus) have their own motions and the motions impact how it is put together. Might I ask which pony you have?
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I have Rainbow Dash, who has a small button to flap her wings, and poseable legs.
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Mane removal would be the same process for your pony. Take this next bit with a grain of salt, since I haven't tried to disassemble a Rainbow Dash Crystal Motion toy personally. Having studied one, though, it looks like you can get at the tail by removing the screws on her belly and pulling the halves apart. I don't want to accidentally destroy my niece's pony, however, so an educated guess is the best thing I have.
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Okay, thank you! This will help alot!
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You are most welcome! Lemme know how it goes.
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Okay, since things are busy, you probably won't get a reply any time soon, but when the time comes, of course I will!
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will you ever consider making tips and tricks for rerooting ponies?
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I already did, as a matter of fact! ^_^ I had a lot of requests for it too. You can find that bit of awesome learning
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Thanks! I'm a beginner customizer and Im gonna attempt to make a octavia now. wish me luck..
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This is me sending you good vibes!! Lemme know how it goes. I'd love to see it when you're done
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Probably the most informative and witty tutorial I've read yet. Considering my first attempt at customizing a pony ended in myself hurling the half-beheaded pony at the wall, I'd love a part 2!
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Oh my! That is quite the compliment! Thank you so much!
That is my goal. To prevent the unnecessary throwing of ponies into walls.
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Indeed. I look forward to any future tutorials!
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I never thought of using pure acetone to remove the paint, I've just been painting over everything with a white basecoat after scalping and beheading and everything.
A neat trick. I'd love to see a part 2
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