Recycling my post: a good airbrush?

[Cobblestone]

Okay, I wanted to wait until she was mine to ask the community about her. I grabbed this gal off ebay the other day.

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I have some info about her from the seller but if anyone recognizes her I'd love to know more. I know she was created by Elizabeth Brookman and is possibly from Canada. She's also about 20 years old.

Girl is in rough shape due to time and I'm sure back then we weren't exactly using the same customizing processes that we are now. Depending on what can be done when I get her I'm considering trying to clean her up or maybe redo her? That's why I'd like to know more about the intent behind her. The seller couldn't find her old tag so theme wise and name wise she's in limbo. The best I can figure is maybe futuristic carousel?

I'd love any input.

So, I’m thinking a good airbrush would help out with repairs. Any suggestions for a good newbie airbrush that won’t break the bank?

[TwistedRiver]

She's completely new to me so I can't be much help when it comes to history. She's very cute though and I love the theme you've chosen for her.
The  name that pops into my head is Star Prancer or something along those lines.

[starscout]

I believe this custom's artist is on Instagram and Facebook under the name DOLLS4EMMA, if you'd like to ask her about it directly.

[BlackCurtains]

Looks like you can contact the artist. She doesn't look familiar to me.

What exactly were you planning on doing? I can see her hair needs help. Is she sticky?

I've altered customs in my collection by cutting their hair or resealing them. I feel like redoing a custom by someone else is kind of weird though. I guess I need more info.

[Cobblestone]

I believe this custom's artist is on Instagram and Facebook under the name DOLLS4EMMA, if you'd like to ask her about it directly.

I knew this was the best place to ask. I wasn’t able to find them but I don’t have either of those social media accounts so that’s probably why. I’ll grab an insta to ask more. Thank you!

Post Merge: November 16, 2021, 08:28:43 AM

Looks like you can contact the artist. She doesn't look familiar to me.

What exactly were you planning on doing? I can see her hair needs help. Is she sticky?

I've altered customs in my collection by cutting their hair or resealing them. I feel like redoing a custom by someone else is kind of weird though. I guess I need more info.

According to the seller she’s gone sticky so that’s got me thinking the paint is degrading.
My thought was to maybe replace the paint and rehair? I want to preserve her as best I can. I feel like you don’t see many custom this old (or at least I don’t).

Post Merge: November 16, 2021, 08:30:14 AM

She's completely new to me so I can't be much help when it comes to history. She's very cute though and I love the theme you've chosen for her.
The  name that pops into my head is Star Prancer or something along those lines.

thankfully I should be able to find out more. I think she’s cute too, but I want to put her in a position to last longer.

[SunPony]

Ooo, she's really lovely!  What a nice find.

If the only issue is stickiness, you could try re-sealing her.  I had a custom that became sticky, and a coat of sealant fixed it and now she is lovely.  I first washed the accumulated dust off her, then dried her thoroughly (waited a couple of days), then used a brush on matte sealant, I think it was polyurethane.  That was about two years ago and so far so good.

[Cobblestone]

I’ll make a note of that if the only issue is slight stickiness. Just sent her a photo to confirm which pony I have. Exciting!


Edit: of course Etsy goes down mid conversation. Anyway, she’s going to look for a record of the pony when she’s got time. Asking permission to do touch ups if the pony needs it.

Post Merge: November 16, 2021, 11:38:02 AM

Alrighty, I’ve been told to do what I want. So, we shall see what sprucing up this pony needs.

[BlackCurtains]

Glad you could contact her

I agree about resealing. I've had to do this to multiple customs in my collection over the years. I use a spray sealer.

[Cobblestone]

I think I’m going to do some note taking for what I might need.

Should the paint be beyond a sealant, is there an airbrush anyone would recommend? I’m committed to keeping the repairs as close to the original design as possible and I suspect to get a good looking silver an airbrush might be necessary. UNLESS…maybe that chrome powder? I wonder if that can be done on a whole pony.

[tailrustedtealeaf]

I think an airbrush will help it to apply more smooth, the original coat looks painted on. I think it looks like any silvery craft paint you might find but it will likely be difficult to match the original sheen and shade.

[SunPony]

If you have a table top games shop near you they might be able to help you out with color matching/paint selection and possibly air brush selection.  At the shop I visit there is at least one staff member who is incredibly knowledgeable about paints, brushes, airbrushes, etc.  But their selection of airbrushes may be limited...I would definitely consider asking for help paint matching, though.

[BlackCurtains]

Considering the age of the pony, you can guess at what paint was used maybe. Apple Barrel and Folk Art craft paints have been around for a long time. Folk art had a metallic line back then. I doubt an expensive paint was used.

I can't really help with airbrushes. I only bought one and went all in, it's a paasche double action. Definitely worth the money though.

[puuush]

I had a very cheap airbrush from Revell, but it was not worth it. Splatters, low air pressure from the pocket-compressor... was a pain to work with. More cleaning the clogged thing than airbrushing and unreliable results.

So I bought a Harder & Steenbeck Evolution 2-in-1 (with 0.2mm and 0.4mm nozzles as I do miniature wargaming figurines as well as ponys) and a Fengda FD-186 compressor. You also need a air hose to connect and some paints and thinners.
This did add up to 300+ Euro though but worth every penny.

No matter which airbrush you buy, make sure it is a double action one. (Press down for airflow, pull back for paintflow)

But maybe check if you can get a used one?

[Cobblestone]

Thank you for the tips everyone. I finally got her in the mail. Her paint is definitely in bad shape. It's very sticky and smudging in certain areas. I think tlc is in order. I'll try to remember to post updates so everyone can see what I end up doing with her.

[starscout]

Thank you for the tips everyone. I finally got her in the mail. Her paint is definitely in bad shape. It's very sticky and smudging in certain areas. I think tlc is in order. I'll try to remember to post updates so everyone can see what I end up doing with her.

Good luck. Can't wait to see what you do with her!