Any tips for someone new to customizing?

[One-Swood-Grommet]

I'm semi new to the world of pony customizing (I attempted one on a G4 pony a while back, it didn't go so well) Recently I came across a fakie pony in my basement with some of my old toys
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

(sorry for the low quality the only camera I have is on my laptop)
One of her hooves is chewed off so I'll most likely try to get some apoxie clay to fix it

I've already planned a design for her, but I'm wondering how I should go about painting over the bright green body. I don't have an air brush so I'll most likely have to go with acrylics. I'm planning for her to have a darkish pink body kinda like G1 Cotton Candy

If you have any advice on this or any other tips on customizing in general please let me know :3 

[Roogna]

you shouldn't have any trouble painting over her with acrylic paint. will take a few coats. get a flat shader brush
if you plan to replace her hair, take the old hair out, then paint, then rehair
if you don't, then wrap the hair in saran wrap or tin foil, or something to keep it out of the way

[shadowlark]

Lots of thin coats are better than fewer thicker coats so try watering down the paint a bit. I usually just wet my brush then dab it in the paint, but I'm by no means an expert lol You'll figure out what works best for you with practice

[One-Swood-Grommet]

Thanks you guys! I'm actually planning to buy hair from Dollyhair, it would be my first rehair! Should be interesting, my dad helped me make a rehair tool

[Em_L._Pea_Customs]

I always did FBRs with makeup sponges before I had an airbrush.  I would thin the paint, with water, to the consistency of milk.  I would then sponge, using a dabbing motion (not a sweeping motion), the paint on in several coats.  I recommend investing in some Testors Dullcote to seal the pony (less than $6 a can which lasts several ponies).  Good luck!

ETA: I second everything Roogna said about the order in which to paint, rehair, etc.

[aintnobuffalo]

Sounds like some great tips so far! I would recommend doing some ponies without a full body repaint also; when you're just starting out, you want to see some easier successes to give you confidence to keep pushing.  FBR can be hard, but it's great that you're diving in to try it out!

[Em_L._Pea_Customs]

Sounds like some great tips so far! I would recommend doing some ponies without a full body repaint also; when you're just starting out, you want to see some easier successes to give you confidence to keep pushing.  FBR can be hard, but it's great that you're diving in to try it out!

This is really fabulous advice!

[LunaMoonCustoms1212]

if I were you I would watch some videos on how to reroot, its rather simple after you get the hang of it, but its tedious. NEVER use nail polish when customizing a pony (even tho many youtube customizers say its alright, its NOT), and always use a really tiny brush when painting the eyes and cutie mark. Also remember to seal it before you reroot.  I hope that it comes out great!

[Xenotropos]

I'm new to customs and learning the hard way as I go 

If you do try painting the entire body, check to see if your fakie has any mold lines or seams.  If it sticks out now, it'll stick out much worse later on with a layer of paint on it.  Go to a hardware store, get a very fine grain sandpaper and lightly sand those seams before painting. 

I'd also give the pony a bath with some non-oily soap, like dish soap, before painting.  Rinse it well, pat dry and then let air dry overnight.   The paint will stick better.

[Uninu]

I'd also give the pony a bath with some non-oily soap, like dish soap, before painting.  Rinse it well, pat dry and then let air dry overnight.   The paint will stick better.

This is a good advice that I would have said myself.

[artful_fox_customs]

I have been customizing g4s for around 5 months now. My tips would be to use thin layers when painting and take you time. Nothing looks good when you rush it. As for rehairing and that sort of stuff, I don't know. I use air dry clay for my manes and tails.