Finding Best Rerooting Method? (& Paint Brands)

[babystarz]

Hey everyone,
I'm hoping you can help me out. I'm trying to decide which re-rooting method I want to use for rehairing. When I did it before (several years ago), I just did the old-fashioned knotting method. Very time-consuming, but also secure. I'm looking at the various re-rooting tools and they look sooo much faster to use, but it seems that the hair is not as secure unless you glue it. I guess I'm wondering, if I glue the hair when I'm done, is it as secure as the knotting method? Or at least decently secure?


Also, which re-rooting tool/method is your favorite? I would love some recommendations.


Also, the variety of needle sizes confuses me. Do you need more than one needle size to rehair a pony? Or just one size? And how often do needles need to be replaced?


Thank you very much for you help 


Edit: I just realized I want to ask about paint brands too Please share your favorites. I used cheap acrylics before and it showed. I'm ready to try higher quality paints. I would prefer paint that can be ordered online, but if there's a brand that is great and in a store chain all over, I could do that too. I'm not the best artist by any means, but I think higher quality paints will be less frustrating to work with, and I know that the only way to improve is with lots of practice.

[Maniah]

I make and sell my own rehairing tools (link in sig) and needles do break, but if you take care, they can last you for a good long while. I widen the holes first with an awl or a push pin before inserting hair. The needles I use are smaller in size so that they don't catch on the vinyl as much, and break less. But it all comes down to preference I think.

The hair is super secure once glued in. Without glue, it is moderately secure. The vinyl closes back around it and secures it well enough that I can pick the pony up by her hair and play around with hairstyles gently.

I did the knotting method once.. HATED IT SO MUCH! I have been using the reroot tool ever since!

[babystarz]

Thanks Maniah, I'll definitely take a look at your needle kits And yes, the knotting method is enough to drive a person batty You can't have plugs of hair that are too big, but then you also have to worry about the knots being too small... ugh.

[Maniah]

As far as paint goes, I am loving Testors Acrylic paint for my full body repaints. They go on so smooth with a brush that they look airbrushed.  http://www.testors.com/category/425530/Acrylic_Paints

Odd thing though.. They have more colors in their assortment, than they have available to order individually.

Model Master has a wider variety of colors.. http://www.testors.com/category/136645/Acryl_Paints  But their paints are thicker and I prefer to thin them for full body repaints. But for symbols, they are just thick enough to not run.

My FBR is the part I use my most expensive paints on.. Other things get cheaper paints depending on if I want texture, or will be adding more on top of it, or if its something small.

Just play around with different brands and see what you like. I buy small bottles of various colors from various brands. If I find something I like, then I buy bigger bottles (if they sell them).

[PonySeeker128]

Maniah gave you the same information I pretty much would've about the rehairing tool and needles. As far as paint goes, I use golden acrylics for airbrushing because they are easy to mix to the right consistancy. And for everything else I use liquatex heavy body paints and just add however much water needed until they are the right consistancy.

[babystarz]

Thank you both so much, I really appreciate you taking the time to share this info 

[PetiteTiger]

I have to second Liquitex and Golden brand paints!  Golden is more expensive so I only have it in white and some iridescent colors, but I love their fluid acrylic because you don't have to water it down nearly as much.  I find that the cheaper craft paints have a very chalky finish to them, while the other brands have a smoother feel.  It's hard to describe the difference, but it's definitely a big one. :p