Making your HT Pred 1 Perfect! [Archive]

SilentSurfer

07-06-2009, 05:21 PM

I'll go first. Not a first time posting this, but it makes the most sense to have this here for those who want the lighting feature in their Exclusive mask.

First, I heated the regular mask with a blowdryer (it's got electronics so don't use hot water) and pried out the plug that sits inside the back of the mask's targetting module. It has a bit of glue on it, but it comes out fairly easily. All that is in there is one LED.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Forum%20Fodder/HPIM4369.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Forum%20Fodder/HPIM4370.jpg

The wires are glued into a groove along the underside of the mask from the targetting module to where they exit through the holes on the left side to go to the power supply. Unfortunately the rubber insulation on these wires is very thin and the stranded copper wires pulled right through it when I peeled them out. If I had it to do over again, I would have used some sort of glue remover to free them.

Once pried up, I had to cut the wires to get them out through the holes in the left side, so I cut it right at the back of the LED where it was soldered originally. I then fed the wires into the holes of the Exclusive mask.

I didn't know where to find 30 gage stranded copper wire in my fairly new neighborhood, and Radio Shack didn't have it, so replacing the stripped wires was not an option as I was impatient to see this finished and get it displayed. So now I was faced with re-covering the wires. For that I used heat shrink tubing. I used clear so you can see what I did. Covering all exposed wire, I heated up the tubing until it gripped the wire securely. The wires were now at least twice as thick as before (yet still very thin), so I had to Dremel the groove a little deeper and wider in the underside of the mask so they would sit flush with the inside of the mask like they were in the regular mask. Fortunately the mask is pretty thick so you don't have to worry about unexpectedly finding your way through to the other side unless you go crazy on it. I just took it nice and slow, bit by bit until the wires sat inside properly. Then I plugged the LED into the Exclusive's socket with a tiny bit of glue (don't get any on the bulb or you may fog the glass and dull the shine), soldered the wire back onto the LED (make sure you don't bridge the very tiny gap between the connections or the circuit will fail), and glued the wires into the groove.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Forum%20Fodder/HPIM4374.jpg

I was able to accomplish this in 30 minutes, and I had to first take it out of the regular mask, so it is my opinion that there is no excuse for Hot Toys not to light the Exclusive mask for us, especially when we are paying $5 more for it. As a matter of fact, with the right parts from an electronics store, you could easily duplicate the lighting rig for the Exclusive without using the regular mask's parts. Hind sight is 20/20 they say. Oh well.

The groove in the underside of the mask is exactly like the one in the underside of all the AVP Predator masks, which leads me to believe Hot Toys initially intended to give all the AVP masks light up targetting, but cheaped out in the end for some reason.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Forum%20Fodder/HPIM4375.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Forum%20Fodder/HPIM4376.jpg

These were just quick pics I took to show the Exclusive in place and lit up. I hadn't settled on a pose yet, but will take new photos later when I figure out what he will be doing while he collects dust.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Forum%20Fodder/HPIM4378b.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Forum%20Fodder/HPIM4382b.jpg

dedguy

07-06-2009, 05:40 PM

The first thing I did was try to put the helmet on without the mandibles to get the helmet closer to the head. No dice. Not only didn't get the helmet any closer it didn't stay on worth a damn. Eventually I did the following to my exclusive helmet.

Dropped it in near-boiling water and reshaped the helmet with wider cheeks and a more sloped back dome.
Dremeled out the cheeks taking out the sculpted bits meant to hold onto the mandibles.
Added carpet tape inside the helmet to hold it to the face.

Comparison of stock vs modded

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3685283002_e9fa86cbc6_o.png

I the added leather lacing to the side of the helmet at the temple and the lower jaw (not pictured yet). There should be three tubes leading from the temple and one from that little nub at the corner of the jaw.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3685107303_f12213a173_b.jpg

I made a new more accurate pouch. Currently working on both a newer new pouch (I ruined the first when I took it off the old plastic belt) as well as a more accurate leather belt with the faux stitching.

This is the old bag on the plastic belt:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/3682885450_6a46fea8ec_b.jpg

And this is the in-progress leather belt. Had yet to add the faux-stitching at this point. You can't tell in this pic as I cunningly placed it back together for the pic but I tore the far left strap.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3694805601_6c689dea6c_b.jpg

This is the reference I found for the belt/pouch. This is the actual film-used suit so the pouch is falling apart a bit as is the belt but you can clearly see the three straps as well as the holes punched in the belt. The straps on the chest have similar faux-stiching. The next thing I need to do is replace the chest straps.

http://dedguy.net/junk/pred_pouch.jpg

gdb

07-06-2009, 07:00 PM

Great job, Dedguy!

mywii

07-06-2009, 07:09 PM

cool mod guys..

dedguy

07-06-2009, 08:18 PM

All tubes now connected:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/3696812018_637d12a112_b.jpg

New leather belt and new pouch.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3696829172_e66df6c285_b.jpg

ripper_joe77

07-06-2009, 08:28 PM

Great idea, i'll have to go back to this thread once mine arrives.

Harry Keogh

07-06-2009, 09:07 PM

You guys do some impressive upgrades. I am too chicken to try and modify my Predator.

Yig

07-07-2009, 04:37 AM

Hell yes, great job there attaching a tube to the jaw, Dedguy.

SilentSurfer

07-07-2009, 08:23 AM

I second that. According to what he does in the movie to remove the mask, there should even be another one on the other side of the mask too, but there doesn't seem to be any place for it to connect.

Now I want to modify the wires from the helmet to go into the front of the shoulder cannon mount where they are supposed to go, and still somehow reach the power supply. I'll work on it when I have some projects out of the way. My biggest concern with that is that the helmet will no longer be removable as the wires will be locked into the helmet and the shoulder mount.

I like the fact that the wires going into the mask are really powering the targetting, but I think the trick will be to hide those and replace the visible wires with non-functional wires that can stay on the Pred with the mask off. Of course non of that will matter when Hot Toys releases the second, battle damaged version without the shoulder mount on it.

dedguy

07-07-2009, 08:57 AM

Mine are currently unattached to anything and just are hidden back in the dreds.

Reinhardt

07-07-2009, 09:07 AM

hey dedguy, any chance of you offering up copies of the pouch for sale?

dedguy

07-07-2009, 09:30 AM

'fraid not. I don't have a lot of time to work on hobby stuff and I'm terrible at shipping things.

Reinhardt

07-07-2009, 09:32 AM

das coo bro. i understand. in the meantime i'll live vicariously through your pics, and maybe attempt some of it on my own figure.

EndIessRAlN

07-07-2009, 10:13 AM

Damn I wish I could gather up enough courage to work on my P1 like you guys did. I really want to do the 2 bio mods. Maybe someone will take a commission? :D Surfer?

SilentSurfer

07-07-2009, 12:46 PM

Damn I wish I could gather up enough courage to work on my P1 like you guys did. I really want to do the 2 bio mods. Maybe someone will take a commission? :D Surfer?

You know where to find (PM) me...:D

Wor-Gar

07-07-2009, 04:52 PM

Great stuff -- keep the tips coming. I'm sure as more people receive this figure this thread will become very useful.

And don't be afraid to post simple fixes too. Anything that will make the figure more accurate is welcome.

dedguy

07-07-2009, 05:52 PM

So who's going to be the first to try airbrushing the camo look?

http://dedguy.net/junk/Predator_10.jpg
http://dedguy.net/junk/Predator_11.jpg
http://dedguy.net/junk/PDVD_012.jpg

SilentSurfer

07-07-2009, 10:48 PM

Me, me, me, but I have to finish some other projects first!:banana

dedguy

07-07-2009, 11:27 PM

I second that. According to what he does in the movie to remove the mask, there should even be another one on the other side of the mask too, but there doesn't seem to be any place for it to connect.

Nope just watched it. He only unplugs the three tubs at the temple and the one of the jaw, both on the left. Also noticed in addition to the thongs on his elbows which Hot Toys did do, he also has similar ones on his knees which they didn't I may add those myself.

fawk3s

07-08-2009, 12:59 AM

Where did you get the third spring to connect the jaw to his shoulder/back, dedguy?

dedguy

07-08-2009, 04:26 AM

As mentioned in my first post, I used leather cording for all four tubes.

Darth Pikachu

07-08-2009, 05:36 AM

Thanks for being brave enough to try that mod first, Surfer! That's one mod I might actually attempt.

SilentSurfer

07-08-2009, 07:11 AM

You're welcome. Had to be done. Wish I had had more patience to do it better, but at least all the improvable parts are hidden anyway.

Nope just watched it. He only unplugs the three tubs at the temple and the one of the jaw, both on the left.

First he undoes the targetting link. Then he undoes the tube that you added. He removes the cannon and medpack mounts and drops them in the water.

So what is it that he does after that with both hands and the back of the mask's jawline on either side that release air pressure just before he take the mask off?

Is he just breaking the air tight seal around his face with his claws before lifiting it off?

fawk3s

07-08-2009, 07:29 AM

Yep, he just breaks the pressure and then the mask comes off nicely. If you watch AvP or AvP:R, the preds there dont do it, and the pressure breaks when they are actually taking the mask off. He just did it before.
Except, P2 mask didnt have the pressure at all lol.

dedguy

07-08-2009, 08:40 AM

What fawk3s said.

SilentSurfer

07-08-2009, 08:57 AM

Well that's just cool then. That's the kind of attention to character detail that made Stan Winston a genious. Glad we cleared that up.

dedguy

07-08-2009, 10:03 AM

Here's hoping I see some camo pics from you sooner rather than later.

SilentSurfer

07-08-2009, 11:34 AM

Should be a one night job. Maybe this week I can squeeze it in.

Reinhardt

07-08-2009, 12:17 PM

good stuff surfer. look forward to seeing it.

dedguy

07-08-2009, 01:47 PM

So... on the shin/knee armor what do you guys think is going on there? On the Cinemaquette the central dark band and the strap holding the knee pad on look the same. Both dark brown/black textured leather. I don't totally trust the Cinemaquette though as there's some obvious errors on it (like the forarm leather straps being on the bicepts, the pouch being totally wrong, or the spine being completly out of scale).

This is the best pic I could grab from the movie. I know that in actuality both pieces are just part of the foam rubber suit just painted to look like whatever but I think it would be cool to do a leather strap for the kneepad and if the center portion is supposed to look the same an inset piece of leather there as well.

http://dedguy.net/junk/pred-shins.png

Alice

07-08-2009, 02:09 PM

Looks sorta like a piece of cloth wrapped around the knee, and then the kneepad put on with the leather strap. Maybe the cloth is there to prevent chafing from the leather strap, and that's what's hanging from his knees.

I always thought there was some sort of leather or some sort of elastic band in the center of the leg armour, and that cap kinda backs that theory. Both the kneepad straps and that area of the leg armour look to both be the same material, so I say go for it.
________
Justin Bieber (http://justinbieberfan.info/)

SilentSurfer

07-08-2009, 02:15 PM

My guess is that the straps are there to look like his legs and forarms are wrapped up under the armor so that it isn't obvious that they were sculpted as one piece with the body. Kinda like the netting makes it look like the torso and leg armor is sitting over it. Guess that's another mod to do. Leg straps.

dedguy

07-08-2009, 02:24 PM

Alice

07-08-2009, 02:37 PM

Looks like a sort of cracked leather or some hide similar to what's holding P2's left bicep armour on.
________
Lovely Wendie99 (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

SilentSurfer

07-08-2009, 02:49 PM

Yeah the wrapping above the knee-pad strap is a leather thong like on the elbows (which I have already added) but I was more talking about the sort of tooled/padded looking area that looks like the strap holding the knee pad on. The HT figure has those black elastic straps.

That's actually what I thought you were talking about, but I thought they were also part of the hanging off stuff. Yeah, that padded looking stuff is also between the upper and lower halves of the lower leg armor around the sides and back. Just seems to be a flexible area of leather or something. The figure doesn't have it, but I wonder how hard it would be to make it.

You can see it in this pic of the maquette:
http://www.sideshowtoy.com/mas_assets/jpg/7143_press01-001.jpg

dedguy

07-08-2009, 02:51 PM

The figure has a place for it... so I could either cut it out and glue the leather between the two halves or thing down that area and glue the leather over it. Could look really cool I think.

I'm loving the Pred as it's such a detailed character it's pretty great out of the box but there's so many fun little things you can do to make it better. Unlike Hellboy and Abe who are just about perfect and un-changeable (other than putting wires in Hellboy's coat). I love 1/6 because of the customizing aspect of it and the Predator is great for that.

SilentSurfer

07-08-2009, 03:05 PM

Totally agree with that. It's especially great for me coming from the model kit hobby where I learned and developed all the skills I now use on 1/6 figures. Now, my models are totally posable. :banana

dedguy

07-08-2009, 07:57 PM

Excuse the poor photo quality. Didn't feel like setting up any lights so just took a few quick pics at my work desk where the Pred is currently hanging out with just the desk light on.

This is what my Pred currently looks like with the newly added leg straps. Still haven't figured out a good way of doing the knee/shin leather bits.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/3703273852_25bbd911bd_b.jpg

Detail, you can see how heavily weathered I did the straps. The elbow straps are weathered to match but I forgot to take some detailed pics of them. The leg straps are also shorter, as per the movie.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3702464115_545ee11332_b.jpg

And what takes about a half an hour and most would think is a waste of time? That's right! Carefully masking off all the skin on the hands to dullcoat the gloves to give them a more leathery appearance. Going to do the rest of the hands as I'm very happy with how it turned out. It's a subtle change but one I really dig. Gives more contrast and thus more separation between the hand and the glove and thus more realism (imo).

New left, old right

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/3703269062_f0c6cec25f_b.jpg

prefused

07-08-2009, 09:20 PM

all these mods so far are great. too bad i'm too chicken^^^^ to try it with mine.

know what i'd like to see? an actual medkit with removable tools. no idea how that could be done though.

dedguy

07-10-2009, 11:12 AM

I got myself some thin leather lacing today I may use to replace the string for the skulls.

Les Walker

07-10-2009, 12:28 PM

Dedguy, you are a Pred fan after my own heart. :rock
Lovin' your fixes. And one thing, aren't the skulls all a tad lighter than HT supplied? I think they are less yellowed. Can't find refs for that either.
Isn't there a thread here with tons of screengrabs and we can see some shots? I am thinking, scenes with Arnold, the unmasking point in the movie, and around then.

Great stuff. Don't forget the pink inside the mouth, folks!
PINK IT UP! :rock

dedguy

07-10-2009, 12:40 PM

I may repaint the inside of the mask when I decide I want to display it unmasked.

SOLIDSNAKE

07-10-2009, 12:51 PM

fawk3s

07-10-2009, 01:07 PM

dedguy, did you make the dreadmod with water, blowdryer or wire?
mine is being shipped atm :D

dedguy

07-10-2009, 01:20 PM

I just put a hair elastic around his whole head, blow dried the dreds and let them cool. Seemed to work well. You gotta let them cool and have something holding them in place until they do if it to work. You could also probably run it under cold water to cool faster but I didn't want to do that.

a-dev

07-10-2009, 03:08 PM

Is a blow dryer really the best idea on rubber parts?

dedguy

07-10-2009, 04:09 PM

No idea, blow dryers have lots of settings (at least mine does) you don't have to get them super hot or anything and it didn't hurt anything that I can tell. Perhaps someone who has done it more often could offer more input. I don't see how heating rubber could seriously hurt it.

prefused

07-10-2009, 08:31 PM

every time i've used a blowdryer or hot water to fix dreads it never ever stays the way i set it.
it usually looks great for about an hour and by the next day the dreads are back the way they looked out of the box.

the only pred i have with perfect dreads is the p2 elder and they were perfect right out of the box.
it looks like they were actually molded to lay down flat and i dunno why ht didn't do the same for all of them.

dedguy

07-10-2009, 09:00 PM

The key is to make sure they're totally cold before removing whatever it is you have holding them down... or at least that worked for me.

fawk3s

07-11-2009, 12:50 AM

think im gonna go with the wire instead then. have done it to all my preds anyway except elder.
but its gonna take at least 2 hours to get it right. thats why i wanted to try some other way.
fact is, its gonna look great anyway.

espino419

07-11-2009, 03:27 AM

ok i just received my figure yesterday its the exclusive and i haven't opened it i was wondering before i do where is the second mask its the exclusive

Reinhardt

07-11-2009, 03:28 AM

on the back of the plastic inlay. and congrats.

Snake Eater

07-11-2009, 05:02 AM

I have to get round to the dread mod on mine, but a little nervous of the rubber deteriorating.

Dark_Spidey

07-11-2009, 05:39 AM

I have to get round to the dread mod on mine, but a little nervous of the rubber deteriorating.

It won't if you use hot water ;)

dedguy

07-11-2009, 08:14 AM

I've disassembled my Pred somewhat to get started on replacing the chest straps and wanted to make a few other changes while at it.

- I'm going to remove the black elastic strap on the left biceps armor and attach it to the mesh suit instead.

- Probably going to replace the string used for the skulls with leather

- Going to remove the plastic piece between the shoulder strap and the right shoulder armor as it's not supposed to be there.

Which brings me to... I was looking through screencaps and what few pictures I can find of the screen-used suit to see if that metal strap between the shoulder strap and shoulder armor should be there. In looking I think I discovered that the right shoulder armor should also have an additional leather strap of it's own.

http://dedguy.net/junk/pred-second-strap.png
http://dedguy.net/junk/pred-second-strap2.png

Shai

07-11-2009, 08:16 AM

Your Hot Toys Predator one will be perfect when you buy the DX version...:lol

dedguy

07-11-2009, 08:23 AM

They better be doing either a Gort from P2 or just a new P2 Predator before they even think about a new P1 (which I think is far more likely, why re-release a brand new figure when you have loads of well selling much older figures in the same line you can re-do).

prefused

07-11-2009, 08:37 AM

Your Hot Toys Predator one will be perfect when you buy the DX version...:lol
when predator stuff sells as well as dark knight stuff i'm sure there will be one.
personally, i'm not holding my breath on a dx pred.

Snake Eater

07-11-2009, 08:46 AM

It won't if you use hot water ;)

Thanks, may give it a try then. :)

dedguy

07-11-2009, 08:55 AM

when predator stuff sells as well as dark knight stuff i'm sure there will be one.
personally, i'm not holding my breath on a dx pred.

::high five::

dedguy

07-11-2009, 03:15 PM

Any progress on your armor repaint SilentSurfer?

dedguy

07-11-2009, 05:01 PM

Okay so here's where I'm at and a rundown of changes made.

http://dedguy.net/junk/pred14_notes.png

Helmet reshaped and carved out to correct warping and for it to fit much closer to the face. Three leather cords added to temple and one to the lower left jaw. Silver plastic strap from the chest armor to the shoulder was removed, leather strap added. Black elastic removed from biceps armor and armor attached directly to the mesh suit. Chest straps replaced with weathered leather straps, additional weathering and film accurate divot added to the buckle. Plastic belt replaced with a weathered more accurate leather belt. Plastic pouch replaced with a much more accurate suede pouch. Leather thongs around forearms weathered. Weathered leather thongs added around knees.

Check out my flickr for a number-less version of this photo in multiple resolutions: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dedguy/3711508528/

edit: Damn, forgot to mention I also dullcoated the leather part on all the hands.

Reinhardt

07-11-2009, 06:28 PM

Now THAT is what I call an EPIC post.

Absolutely fantastic Dedguy!!!! When I have time, I definitely plan on doing a few of these mods on my Predator.

What else are you thinking of doing to him? Putting in lasers in his mask? :)

dedguy

07-11-2009, 06:33 PM

Naw, I'd never use 'em. Not really a fan of light up stuff as it's only worthwhile for pics and I can just photoshop that in pics. Only two things I'm thinking of doing at the moment. Adding the straps for the kneepads to replace the elastic and replacing the string for the skulls with leather cording. I could repaint the inside of the mouth but at the moment I don't really like displaying it without the mask so that's not a high priority. Anything anyone else can see to change?

Right now I'm working on repainting the Gatling gun that came with the WWR Deep Powder Bramble I have. Never was a fan of the white frosting paint on it.

Reinhardt

07-11-2009, 06:52 PM

Only thing I can think of on your Predator is to maybe weather the material under the belt. Oh wait, and maybe painting the elbow joints to match his skin tone?

Outside of that, your figure looks perfect.

TerminatorMan

07-11-2009, 06:57 PM

HOLY CRAP. Now that is perfect.:joy

SilentSurfer

07-11-2009, 06:59 PM

Any progress on your armor repaint SilentSurfer?

Not anytime soon. I have some commission projects to finish for other people first including a life size Predator 2. I'd hate to be posting all kinds of my own stuff here while people are waiting on their stuff.

Besides, I'm waiting to get my second P1 to use to replace my P2 body, and I'll do full repaints on both figures and post them.

I love the mods you've made, and I will be including them on my figure as well as quills on an alternate head and on the body.

dedguy

07-11-2009, 07:00 PM

I was gonna say, doing body quills would be awesome. Not something I'll do though. Would be hard with the P1 head and body I would thing as there's sculpted quills already there.

barryo

07-11-2009, 07:01 PM

dedguy..................perfect & thanks for the tutorial. im going to save this & get around to the mods at some point.......just not right now, want to enjoy the pred i've been waiting on for a little while longer before i mod him....:D

Natrix

07-29-2009, 07:28 PM

I posted these mods in the photo thread but it might be better suited in this one.

I finally got around to opening my Ex Predator this last weekend.

I was disappointed with the wires and plug for the LED being permanently attached to the battle damaged mask and the non lighting "clean" mask. In the process of plugging in the connector to the backpack, one of the wires broke. HT must have used the cheapest wire available, so I decided that it was upgrade time.

I found some wire at work that was in a two pin connector that was the same dimension as the cheap wires but the inner wire was thicker so worrying about breaking the wires is no longer an issue. Plus the new connector grips the wires through the insulation so there is no solder that can break from pulling the connector out.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1126/p1030221y.jpg

I thought that would be a huge improvement....but I didn't stop there since I would have to attach the new wires to the old wires somewhere.

I thought about removing the old wires and rewiring the new wires through the mask and soldering them to the led but I didn't like the permanently attached wire and connector already. So after a lot of thinking and trying different things I figured out how to make the power cables removable at the mask. The wires and LED inside the masks stay there but the outer wires now disconnect from the mask for easy removal. That means no having to remove the connector from the back and having to worry about breaking the thin wires anymore. You just have to plug the wires into the holes in the mask! It took a day of thinking and several hours of monkeying around to get it together and working but I am happy with the results. I figure it is more movie accurate that way as well.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5184/p1030202b.jpg
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/6529/p1030215j.jpg

Since I also didn't like having the regular mask without an LED light, I found a red one at work and soldered the stronger wire to it. The LED isn't as bright so I will have to source a new one and redo it in the future.

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4887/p1030228.jpg
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8476/p1030225m.jpg
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/8232/p1030223r.jpg

I still have to color the wires black and add the other "hoses" to the mask.

SilentSurfer

07-29-2009, 08:28 PM

Kick *** way to do the wire swap. Bravo. Much more accurate in the approach. The only thing that would make it more perfect would be to run the wires from the battery pack through the shoulder mounting, and out of the two little circles next to the big oval shape with the line through it.

Come on, you can do it.

Darren Carnall

07-30-2009, 02:06 AM

I don't have this figure... (lack of money lol)... but I love this thread! :rock :rock :rock

it's like living all my customising dreams and plans through you guys :D

XenoPredator

07-30-2009, 05:44 AM

The mods in this thread look amazing! Sorting out that mask makes him look 10 times better.

SilentSurfer

08-05-2009, 10:32 PM

Alrighty boys and girl (there must be at least one here, right), as promised I've done the camouflage repaint to the Pred armor. Following are some side by side pics with my Exclusive Pred, and my second Pred (which I got just for parts for customizing and improving multiple Preds) wearing the armor from GODZILLA95's Pred that I painted up for him like I am soon to do with mine.

Quick tutorial: I gave the entire armor a light once over with silver to get rid of all the black wash, went over that even lighter with a little green mixed in (I wanted to preserve the metallic look), started doing light camo randomness with straight green and brown, added blast marks in black along with other depth enhancing camo, switched from airbrush to paint brush, and added whatever color solidifying and extra details I thought appropriate.

I love the way this turned out. In some of the pics it looks like I glossed over the camo, but the armor is very matte. Because I did the camo in such a way, it allows the metallic silver underneath to catch the light (especially sun light as in the following pics) which makes it look glossy. In person it looks metallic, not glossy at all.

First, here are the pics I used for reference:

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/PDVD_012b.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/PDVD_021.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Predator_09.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Predator_11.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/predator_se_disc2-27-1.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Predator_16.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Predator_17.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/pred-shins.png

And here is the Pred armor to end all Pred armor. When I do mine, I will be doing all the mods in this thread, as well as quills for an alternate head and a full body repaint Steve Wang style. When I do my mask though, I will be painting the blast marks on the Ex mask where they are carved into the original for even more screen accuracy. I'll also be adding blood to his left leg.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Badass.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Helmets3.jpg

SilentSurfer

08-05-2009, 10:32 PM

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Front1.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/FullBodies4.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Helmets5.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Armor2.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Armor3.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Back1.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Calves3.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Calves4.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Calves5.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Mask1.jpg

torque6

08-06-2009, 12:04 AM

great mods!! well done.

EndIessRAlN

08-06-2009, 01:35 AM

Totally awesome as always Surfer. :rock:rock:rock

tnaig001

08-06-2009, 01:40 AM

SS just made the figure 100% better in my books ;)

Nacho

08-06-2009, 07:59 AM

Silentsurfer that repaint looks fkn' primo dude.
Well done, I love it.

SilentSurfer

08-06-2009, 08:17 AM

Thanks to all. I wasn't sure what people would think of it since not many people ever even knew it was supposed to be like that. No company has ever produced this character with accurately colored armor, probably because silver is just easier.

Thanks again. I can't wait to do my Pred now as this set of armor is now on its way to GODZILLA95.

Furious1

08-06-2009, 08:20 AM

It looks great, well done.

Cajunsith

08-06-2009, 11:04 AM

And here is the Pred armor to end all Pred armor. When I do mine, I will be doing all the mods in this thread, as well as quills for an alternate head and a full body repaint Steve Wang style. When I do my mask though, I will be painting the blast marks on the Ex mask where they are carved into the original for even more screen accuracy. I'll also be adding blood to his left leg.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Badass.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Helmets3.jpg[/QUOTE]

:horrorTwisted sick SS, can't wait to see your Wang style pred......uhh that just sounded too pornographic! :lol That armor looks killer bro, I may have to send my extra P1 your way & let you hang out with your wang out......Steve Wang style! :horror :lol

-Super Hans-

08-06-2009, 11:58 AM

very impressive +1 :clap

SilentSurfer

08-06-2009, 11:59 AM

Bump post of the pics so people don't have to go back and forth.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Front1.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/FullBodies4.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Helmets5.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Armor2.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Armor3.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Back1.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Calves3.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Calves4.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Calves5.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Mask1.jpg

thx217

08-06-2009, 12:25 PM

Great job on the mod but I feel that the camo is a bit overdone. Didn't you say you gonna do this on your SS maquette?

SilentSurfer

08-06-2009, 12:36 PM

Great job on the mod but I feel that the camo is a bit overdone. Didn't you say you gonna do this on your SS maquette?

I knew there would be at least one person to say it was overdone. To that I say look at the reference pics I used.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/PDVD_012b.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/PDVD_021.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Predator_16.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Predator_11.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/predator_se_disc2-27-1.jpg

And yes, I do intend to eventually do this to the maquette, but not anytime soon.

SilentSurfer

08-06-2009, 12:41 PM

Holy crap, I just noticed something in that picture with the thigh armor. This Pred has quills all over his body, even down his leg. Damn! Good thing I've got tons of those quills left.

galactiboy

08-06-2009, 01:03 PM

Wow, awesome work on the camo... never new about that, but I think it actually looks really cool.

So was that only done in the first movie?

crazypredator2

08-06-2009, 01:06 PM

Great job silentsurfer !

thx217

08-06-2009, 01:28 PM

I knew there would be at least one person to say it was overdone. To that I say look at the reference pics I used.

And yes, I do intend to eventually do this to the maquette, but not anytime soon.

Yep, I look at the references more then once. ;)

Looking forward to see the SS maquette gets the same treatment.

GDZILLA95

08-06-2009, 02:56 PM

Holy Sh^^!!!!!!!!!! That looks AWESOME. I can't wait to get the armor and put it on one of my P1s. IMO it is in no way, shape, or form overdone. Luv it. Surfer also put some quills on a P1 head for me. I'll post some pics when I get everything set up.:banana:chew:banana:chew

Predrhone

08-06-2009, 04:22 PM

That's a first rate custom! Add a jungle background, and it would be perfect I think.

SilentSurfer

08-06-2009, 07:27 PM

Jungle background...hmm. I may actually have to now. Or make a tree dio for him to be up in fixing his wounded leg or cleaning skulls...

Never spent much time on space consuming dios, but this one might just have to be done.

draekus

08-06-2009, 07:42 PM

Excellent work Silent! I just got my P1 today and I'm thinking about doing the same. I'll have to get accustomed to using an airbrush though as I usually only work with brushes.

SilentSurfer

08-06-2009, 11:21 PM

You might be able to pull this off with brushes, but keep your paint thin.

draekus

08-07-2009, 10:12 AM

You might be able to pull this off with brushes, but keep your paint thin.

I'll give it a try. Thanks for the advice Silent!

Deak Starkiller

08-09-2009, 10:45 AM

Great work on the camouflage SS, truly magnificent! :rock

Tyler

08-09-2009, 01:03 PM

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/Badass.jpg

This looks fantastic. It makes me want to do the same to mine.:banana

prefused

08-09-2009, 05:08 PM

wow, i was skeptical of the cammo paint until i looked through the reference pics. i guess i'm just used to seeing preds with silver/grey armor.
You might be able to pull this off with brushes, but keep your paint thin.
personally, i've never seen anything like that done with an airbrush that can't be done as well or better with a paintbrush.

Predrhone

08-09-2009, 05:24 PM

I think the camo was meant to mimic a reflection of the jungle around him, for cinematic effect maybe? Akin to Vader's two-toned helmet I guess. Either way, still... great paint up.:D

Preshea

08-10-2009, 07:35 PM

Surfer- You know, I was silently enjoying this thread... looking forward to getting mine this week and going to do everything that dedguy came up with for his mods. But you just detroyed my hopes and dreams for a perfect pred with this latest work. I cant tell you in words but... It looks absolutley AMAZING!! bro. Not overdone just PERFECT!!:wacky

If I only had your paint talent and more importantly, your ***** to do this :D You're officially the "Predator God" Im so jealous... Great job again bro!!

SilentSurfer

08-10-2009, 09:31 PM

"The Predator God" :chew:banana:joy:peace:cool:

I think the camo was meant to mimic a reflection of the jungle around him, for cinematic effect maybe?

Well, I've known it was camo for a long time, but I never really thought about why they did that. It does make sense that it could be to look like reflected jungle on the battered metal finish so that the camera and crew wouldn't be seen on screen. Eitherway, camo is most accurate. Now the figure looks like it is reflecting jungle.

SilentSurfer

08-10-2009, 09:39 PM

But you just detroyed my hopes and dreams for a perfect pred with this latest work. I cant tell you in words but... It looks absolutley AMAZING!! bro. Not overdone just PERFECT!!:wacky

If I only had your paint talent and more importantly, your ***** to do this :D You're officially the "Predator God" Im so jealous... Great job again bro!!

One word for you (besides 'thanks')--commission.

Devil_666

08-10-2009, 11:56 PM

i guess i'm just used to seeing preds with silver/grey armor.

The weird thing is I think most people would agree that the P2 Elder from HT is accurate as far as armor color. Even me until I saw reference pics and realized the P2 Elder's armor is actually almost black in color. So it's weird because when I see the P2 Elder from HT even now the armor color looks "right" but in reality I know for a fact it's not even close to the actual color. :lol

Preshea

08-11-2009, 07:52 AM

One word for you (besides 'thanks')--commission.

Such a Beautiful word when you say it...., I'll pm you when Im ready to part with him for a little bit. :chew:banana:chew:banana:joy:D

GDZILLA95

08-11-2009, 08:15 AM

Most of you have seen the P1 Camo Armor paint job that SilentSurfer did for me. I have posted some photos of my P1 with the armor on. Surfer also added some quills to one of my P1 heads, and it looks great, so I posted a few close ups showing same.

Thanks Again Surfer for the Awesome Badass quill/paint job.:banana:banana

Furious1

08-11-2009, 08:43 AM

Wow, looks great. I am tempted myself, but my funds are currently allocated to something else.

SilentSurfer

08-11-2009, 12:29 PM

The weird thing is I think most people would agree that the P2 Elder from HT is accurate as far as armor color. Even me until I saw reference pics and realized the P2 Elder's armor is actually almost black in color. So it's weird because when I see the P2 Elder from HT even now the armor color looks "right" but in reality I know for a fact it's not even close to the actual color. :lol

I got the same impression from the Elder's armor. It's almost a dark steel color, or even dark brown like P2's. I just used a second P1's armor to replace the Elder's chest/back/shoulder armor so the gun isn't too close to his head, and so the gun folds down. Fits perfectly and looks great. I think I'll be painting up his armor to be the dark brown soon. First I need to get a hold of a second P2 right gauntlet cause the the blade sheath on the Elder's right arm is the P2 sheath mounted onto the P1 gauntlet.

Thanks Again Surfer for the Awesome Badass quill/paint job.:banana:banana

You should switch the heads and make use of the repainted mask on the camo version. Keep the quilled head on the other one. That's what I would do anyway.:D

Preshea

08-11-2009, 12:31 PM

Zilla95 - Wow nice shots and now I know I gotta send mine to the "Pred god". I'm happy for you, its sick. :horror

Surfer - put some of those quills aside for me too bro!:D

prefused

08-11-2009, 12:36 PM

I got the same impression from the Elder's armor. It's almost a dark steel color, or even dark brown like P2's. I just used a second P1's armor to replace the Elder's chest/back/shoulder armor so the gun isn't too close to his head, and so the gun folds down. Fits perfectly and looks great. I think I'll be painting up his armor to be the dark brown soon. First I need to get a hold of a second P2 right gauntlet cause the the blade sheath on the Elder's right arm is the P2 sheath mounted onto the P1 gauntlet.
any chance you're gonna try to get the led sight working on the elder's cannon?

SilentSurfer

08-11-2009, 01:27 PM

Definitely, but I'm not too sure exactly how it is wired. I don't want to just run two wires up to a big LED on top of the cannon. I may have to semi-imbed the LED into the cannon, sculpt over that somehow while leaving three perfect holes, and drill holes through the cannon for the wires to exit. There just really isn't a good shot of the Elder's cannon to go by. I'd pretty much have to guestimate how it should look.

Anybody got a good shot of it?

Devil_666

08-11-2009, 01:59 PM

Someone did that already. I can't remember who though. But it came out nice. I'll try to find it.

Preshea

08-11-2009, 02:18 PM

http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/gallery/data/667/1556897449_d63b772f4a_o.jpg

Can't really see it as well as you'd like but its the best I could find, I believe that small curve to be a wire running from the base of the mount up thru the bottom of the cannon so I'd say you had the right idea going thru the cannon. Hope it helps somewhat...

SilentSurfer

08-11-2009, 02:45 PM

Nice pic of the armor color, but still can't really see the detail on the cannon. Is the targetting light on top, side, front, back...?

If I had to guess, it looks like there are at least two wires on the cannon's right side, and the light looks like it's right on top where the cannon becomes that round barrel section part.

Anybody think otherwise, or know better?

Furious1

08-11-2009, 02:52 PM

Let me break out my bluray and see if I can make anything out

Furious1

08-11-2009, 03:12 PM

Do these help?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/FuriousOne/CIMG1599.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/FuriousOne/CIMG1600.jpg

SilentSurfer

08-11-2009, 03:21 PM

Perfect! You are the man!

Maybe I can squeeze in time to do that tonight even.

Randysgut

08-11-2009, 03:23 PM

hey i posted this in the other threads but i want a quick answer

i cancelled my order and CSC, and i havent been charged, and they said they returned the predator to their store. but one arrived at my house today :S. does this mean that UPS is gunna come to my house and collect it? also, it says they are sold out on their website, and there was no insurance on the package

Furious1

08-11-2009, 03:25 PM

Hmm, quite the moral dilemma. Do you call them to let them know or not?

Randysgut

08-11-2009, 03:29 PM

well this is thing that bothers me is that i had to cancel my card because it was frauded. so today i received my new CC and the package. im wondering, do i activate the card and there will be the balance of the predator on my account? but on my online account it says nothing, i ahve full available credit( new card). im confused, what is the normal procedure if u canceled something but recieved it anyhow.

Devil_666

08-11-2009, 04:41 PM

Here's the best pics to show the Elder Pred's armor color:

http://www.predatorstuff.com/gallery/images/props_-_full_costumes/p2_movie_suits/predator_2_disc2-76.jpg

http://www.predatorstuff.com/gallery/images/props_-_full_costumes/p2_movie_suits/predator_2_disc2-77.jpg

Now here's a funny shot of Borg in the same light:
http://www.predatorstuff.com/gallery/images/props_-_full_costumes/p2_movie_suits/predator_2_disc2-75.jpg

Elder Pred is 3rd From your Left.
http://www.predatorstuff.com/gallery/images/props_-_full_costumes/p2_movie_suits/predlosthunters5ro.jpg

You can also see Borg second from your right. Their armor is almost the same in color: Black with blue highlights. It's not brown/copper like P2. And it's definitely not silver or camo like P1.

ELDER PRED CANNON MOD

Just finished this it was modded for a forum member, originally the cannons tracking lights were wired from the shoulder assembly, but this left rtrailing wires, wasnt happy with that, so with some headaches i came up with this, the power is housed within the cannons body, light comes via a HE red l.e.d, and fibre optics, im not entirely sure if this is accuarte to the movie, but it was requested...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d93/hurricane1002/DSCF1311.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d93/hurricane1002/DSCF1312.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d93/hurricane1002/DSCF1313.jpg

http://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37474

This is exactly the same mod I was talking about except on the Elder Pred's cannon the sight was placed on top like the pic Furious1 posted:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/FuriousOne/CIMG1599.jpg

SilentSurfer

08-11-2009, 07:04 PM

Wow, now I can really say the Devil made me do it. Those are some great pics.

Don't know why I didn't reference that costumes shot to see what the Elder's armor color was. Blue/black armor. That will be easy. The surface texture looks a lot smoother than P1's.

I sure wish hurrican had taken some WIP pics of the cannon mod. I think I have an extra AVP cannon I can take the site from to use on the Elder's cannon.

Question: why does the cannon have its own targetting light, if all the bio masks do already?

Devil_666

08-11-2009, 07:26 PM

I think because the Elder doesn't wear a Bio. So it's on his cannon. I know I know.. doesn't make sense: Because the cannon is supposed to FOLLOW the target sight FROM the Bio.

I'm just saying that's why the Elder has one on his cannon. Every other lost Pred without a Bio doesn't have a plasma cannon UP. They're folded down on the back and unused (like P2's cannon folds down).

Preshea

08-11-2009, 07:27 PM

[QUOTE=SilentSurfer
Question: why does the cannon have its own targetting light, if all the bio masks do already?[/QUOTE]

Good question...:confused: I assume maybe its because the elder didnt have a mask at all. I mean in that shot in the film they all appeared with masks on except for him right??

Preshea

08-11-2009, 07:29 PM

I think because the Elder doesn't wear a Bio. So it's on his cannon. I know I know.. doesn't make sense: Because the cannon is supposed to FOLLOW the target sight FROM the Bio. :lol

I'm just saying that's why the Elder has one on his cannon. Every other lost Pred without a Bio doesn't have a plasma cannon UP. They're folded down on the back and unused (like P2's cannon folds down).

Damn you're quick.

Devil_666

08-11-2009, 07:30 PM

:lol

I think SS means the AVP cannons though. I thought that was just on the HT figures!? Do the screen used AVP cannons have targeting lights as well?

SilentSurfer

08-11-2009, 10:26 PM

:lol:lol:lol Sorry if that wasn't clear guys. The P2 Elder is obvious, even though it should be tracking with the bio like Devil said, but I did mean the
AVP cannon, and, yes, I just checked the ADI book, and the targetting thing is on the actual cannons. Hot Toys did them perfectly.

The only reason I can think of is that it's a redundant system in case the bio is lost or not in use, but again it seems wrong for it to target itself unless Preds are so hooked into their smart weapons that their visual (eyeball) tracking can be relayed to the cannon, and the cannon in that case just ensures that it is lined up where the Pred wants it before he fires.

Devil_666

08-12-2009, 01:22 AM

My guess: It's for a AVP:R style hand held cannon. If the pred has to pop off the cannon (like Wolf) you can use the targeting system on the cannon like an infra-red beam.

Preshea

08-12-2009, 07:24 AM

My guess: It's for a AVP:R style hand held cannon. If the pred has to pop off the cannon (like Wolf) you can use the targeting system on the cannon like an infra-red beam.

O:duh:o, Damn he's good too

I can agree with that, makes good sense.

SilentSurfer

08-12-2009, 07:31 AM

I would say that's a valid guess, and it makes sense, but your guess is based on what we saw in AVP-R, and THAT cannon/gun didn't have the targetting light on it.

Unfortunately, I have decided to believe that, like most things in AVP, the design team or director had ideas that made into production, but weren't used in the story. It's possible that somebody had the idea that because the Preds would have to earn the weapons, that their bios wouldn't be equipped with targetting. The guns would have the targetting when they found them.

The only problem with that theory is that all the bios have targetting.

SilentSurfer

08-12-2009, 08:56 AM

Not sure if most people check the old Wolf thread much, and since I talked about this here, I thought I'd post pics here too of the mod I did to my Cleaner. He's actually a combo of both Wolf releases. I added a second cannon to my Cleaner's armor, painted them both as they should be, and did that great mod of making a ball joint to give the cannon arms totally accurate mobility. And I gave him the regular mask which looks beat up enough for me without being overkill, but gave it a better paint job to highlight the markings like it's supposed to be, and to make it less brown all over. In the ADI book it's pretty straight gunmetal and steal colored.

I know it's not accurate to the movie to have both cannons and the cleaner kit, but it looks so cool. The second cannon really has nowhere to fold down to with the spear moved over for the kit, but I won't be displaying it that way anyway.

Here's some pics.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM4888.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM4836.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM4837.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM4833.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM4834.jpg

When I was fidgetting with the cleaner kit, I noticed that it has two extra shurikens in it. Anybody else notice that? They are't removeable, but they are tucked into the bottom end of it.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM4835.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM4887.jpg

Reinhardt

08-12-2009, 11:01 AM

Nice job Silent!!

I did the same to mine, and attempted to add the red "lights" to the top of his shoulder cannon...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/neehargupta/wolf-004.jpg

SilentSurfer

08-12-2009, 11:13 AM

Hey, that looks good. In that shot it actually looks like it could be lit behind a transparent black window (1/6 scale brightness).

That's one thing that bugs me about the Terminator eyes on Hot Toys figures. The eyes are too bright for a 12" representation. The brightness should be scaled down too. I always thought they looked better when the battery runs down a bit.

Reinhardt

08-12-2009, 11:27 AM

I totally agree Silent... which is why i just painted my Terminator's eyes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/neehargupta/IMG_6133.jpg

SilentSurfer

08-12-2009, 11:38 AM

For the eyes, try putting a white dot in the center of the eye, and go over that with translucent gloss red. It'll make it look like the light is radiating from the center kinda like how a lightsaber looks mostly white, but the radiating color lets you know its red, purple, blue, or green.

Reinhardt

08-12-2009, 11:43 AM

Thanks Silent. Yeah, I've since done that, and it looks better - need to make the white dot a bit bigger though.

pjam

08-18-2009, 01:47 PM

Hey Guys,
Late to the party as I just got mine.

I fixed the dreads I think. Used Rubber band holding dread hot water trick.

The mask is very tight and doesn't fully fit over the head.

Question: Does the mask go over the mouthpiece or should I remove the mouthpieces first?

Question 2: I think I may want to try to widen the Mask V bottom to fit more fully over the jawline. Any suggestions for this?

I saw someone suggest using a blo dryer and stretching it out somewhat to open it up...

SilentSurfer

08-18-2009, 02:38 PM

1) Yes, the mask goes over the mouth parts with them on.

2) Wait for it. Wait for it.

Blow Dryer

Cajunsith

08-18-2009, 05:33 PM

Not sure if most people check the old Wolf thread much, and since I talked about this here, I thought I'd post pics here too of the mod I did to my Cleaner. He's actually a combo of both Wolf releases. I added a second cannon to my Cleaner's armor, painted them both as they should be, and did that great mod of making a ball joint to give the cannon arms totally accurate mobility. And I gave him the regular mask which looks beat up enough for me without being overkill, but gave it a better paint job to highlight the markings like it's supposed to be, and to make it less brown all over. In the ADI book it's pretty straight gunmetal and steal colored.

I know it's not accurate to the movie to have both cannons and the cleaner kit, but it looks so cool. The second cannon really has nowhere to fold down to with the spear moved over for the kit, but I won't be displaying it that way anyway.

Here's some pics.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM4888.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM4887.jpg

Killer job SS...as always!! I love your bio paint up!! Would you share that bio paint up technique?

SilentSurfer

08-18-2009, 05:56 PM

Go over the whole thing with a gunmetal color. Go ahead and let it be a little wet and sloppy. *insert joke here*

Use chrome (I used Testors) or the brightest silver you've got to fill in the engravings on the top of the mask. Use the previous gunmetal and a hint of black to erase overpaint from the chrome. This will give a clear contrast between the the engravings and the rest of the cracks and details on the mask.

Mix silve into your gunmetal and highlight the mask where you want it. Add more silver and highlight again, but only the 'highest points' or sharpest edges and points.

Mix copper with a bit of dark brown and do a dry brush wash (get lots of wet paint on your brush, then dab most of it off on a napkin) into the recessed areas. Don't obscure the original gunmetal color though. Leave at least three shades going to create depth.

That's about it. Futz with the colors as need until you get what you want.

BTW, I didn't touch the lenses or the copper rings around the claws imbedded in the mask.

Customikey

08-18-2009, 06:06 PM

How do you add quills?

pjam

08-18-2009, 07:41 PM

1) Yes, the mask goes over the mouth parts with them on.

2) Wait for it. Wait for it.

Blow Dryer

Thanks! Done and Done. Huge Difference IMO.

This Thing kicks *** now.

How bright is the mask led supposed to be? Mine doesn't seem too bright, maybe I put the batteries in wrong.

ShazBo

08-18-2009, 08:08 PM

How do you add quills?

Our Good Friend P!tu left us the answer to your question ages... incase of times like these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVX3yXe4-Sw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVX3yXe4-Sw)
This way you don't need to bother him in Person
:rotfl

Customikey

08-18-2009, 08:45 PM

Our Good Friend P!tu left us the answer to your question ages... incase of times like these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVX3yXe4-Sw
This way you don't need to bother him in Person
:rotfl

Hmm, it shows him heating up a nail, but that's all. Not... uh..... not really that helpful. But I gotta love the man's style!

fawk3s

08-19-2009, 12:30 AM

My P2 elder is the one I added quills to. I cant post any pictures atm but it looks really kickass.
u just got to take your time with it. and i mean really. i messed with it like 2 days (not 48 hours).
just take the head off the figure, take a thick needle or something, heat it up with a candle (suggest u take a napkin or something to hod the needle), make a deep enough hole where u want the quill, tip the quill in SuperAttack or a Super Glue or whateve you have, insert it and give it a minute or 2. thats it.
it seems easy to do, but the most important thing is to plan ahead and look where the quills would look good at and how many of them. good luck.

Customikey

08-19-2009, 05:23 AM

Thanks. What are the quills made of? I'm sorry to be so obtuse. This is my first Pred so I haven't been keeping up with the various threads.

Centrocal

08-19-2009, 07:17 AM

Silent Surfer Could you give a tutorial for how to do the ball joint canon mod for Wolf ?

SilentSurfer

08-19-2009, 08:25 AM

Thanks! Done and Done. Huge Difference IMO.

This Thing kicks *** now.

How bright is the mask led supposed to be? Mine doesn't seem too bright, maybe I put the batteries in wrong.

Your welcome. Some people have had issues with their LEDs, so with wiring, some with run down batteries. All I know is that mine was plenty bright. Try checking/replacing the batteries. You may need a rewire if that doesn't work.

How do you add quills?

I use a tiny Dremel bit to drill the holes, but that takes a steady hand, otherwise the bit may dance all over you paint job. I haven't heard of the hot needle trick until now, but that should work too.

Thanks. What are the quills made of?

All the ones I use are from the old AVP Elder figure, the only one to come with them. I horded them from eBay early in anticipation that they would one day make all, or at least most, of the Preds, and I was right. They are just stamped plastic that you cut from the molding 'trees'.

spooky

08-19-2009, 09:00 AM

Just got my P1 a few days ago, everything looks fine except the skulls on the bandolier are wrong.

There should be a mink, snapping turtle and Gar on there, along with a few others.

SilentSurfer

08-19-2009, 09:16 AM

Silent Surfer Could you give a tutorial for how to do the ball joint canon mod for Wolf ?

It's all about that damn black connector at the base of the cannon. If you heat up the armor, you can easily bend the cannon connection point outward and slide the connector off the rod holding it there. The rod is 'usually' only glued on the outside edge, not both ends.

Once that is off, here comes the hard part. Test bend the other end of the connector where it goes into the end of the cannon. One side will not move at all, but the other side will have some sliding play (very little). Carefully take an X-Acto blade and cut the plastic rod that is holding the stationary side. You won't be able to see it, but you'll know when it is cut by the way the connector moves afterward.

The plastic the cannon is made of will not get soft with heat, so don't bother with the Blow Dryer on this one. Just wiggle and tug until the joiner releases. *insert joke here*

Focusing on the end that just got free, poke or grind out what's left of the rod inside the hoop. Use putty to turn the hoop into a ball with the same circumference the hoop has. I used Quick Steel two part putty found at Home Depot. It comes in a 4-5" blue/gray tube. 1 part is wrapped inside the 2nd part. All you do is pinch off a bit more than you need, and kneed it together to one solid color (the quick steel will start to feel warm when it is thuroughly mixed). Use as much of that as you need to create a ball shape out of the hoop, making sure to get the putty all the way through the hoop so the putty on both sides is basically one continuous piece. Don't worry about being overly neat about it right now, but don't make it bigger than the hoop already is. You can sand it to shape later.

Work quickly with this stuff. They don't call it Quick Steel for nothing. You have about 5 minutes of good working time. Use Vaseline to keep your fingers and tools from sticking to the putty as you shape your *****. *insert joke here* This stuff sets pretty much in 5-10 minutes, but leave it alone for about 20 minutes before sanding so that the surface doesn't scrape off too easily.

Now comes the second hardest part. Getting the ball joints back into the cannon arms. You can grind a very slight curvature into the insertion point of the cannon arms to aid in the process, but it's not necessary. I mentioned before that this plastic doesn't get soft with heat like the armor does, but it will help just a bit to give you some flexibility in the cannon arms. DON'T OVER HEAT IT. ONCE YOU WARP OR BEND THIS KIND OF PLASTIC, YOU'RE SCREWED. IT WILL NOT FLEX BACK WITH MORE HEAT LIKE THE VINYL PLASTIC DOES.

Turning the ball connector you just created so that the original plastic of the hoop is in contact with insertion point of the cannon arm (it will be rotated 90 degrees from its original protruding postion) shove it back in. This may not be easy to do, but there is no other way that I came up with cause I didn't need to. Once it's popped in, you can rotate it back to its normal position and, heating up the armor again, bend out the part with the rod, slide the untampered with end of the connector back onto the rod, hit it with more heat to keep it soft, and push the rod and armor back into its original shape/position, holding it tightly against the connector until it cools. Blowing on it does help speed up the process. If your armor is not currently on your Wolf, run that spot under some cold water to set it fast.

The person I learned this mod from (can't find the link) had used a tiny piece of foam inside the cannon arm where the ball goes to give the ball some friction, but if you made the ball big enough (at least as large around as the original hoop) it will fit so tightly that that isn't necessary. I didn't need it.

Enjoy total, movie accurate poseability.

SilentSurfer

08-19-2009, 09:18 AM

Just got my P1 a few days ago, everything looks fine except the skulls on the bandolier are wrong.

There should be a mink, snapping turtle and Gar on there, along with a few others.

What's a Gar? Most of the skulls on the P1 are reused from the AVP figures.

torque6

08-20-2009, 12:46 AM

impressive upgrades.

prefused

08-25-2009, 01:03 PM

SilentSurfer

08-25-2009, 03:13 PM

I did put the P1 armor onto the Elder, so it's ready to go, but I haven't had time with all my commissions to rip the light out of the extra helmet and put it on the Elder's new cannon. It shouldn't take that long really.

As soon as I get time, I will post the pics right here in this thread for you.

S. Griffin

08-28-2009, 01:24 PM

Dude, if you have step-by-step pics of all the changes you made to the P1's armor for the P2 elder that would be freaking awesome. I just scored the original predator's armor for the purpose of doing the same thing, minus the lighting.

SilentSurfer

08-29-2009, 12:27 PM

No major changes required. Just pull off the Elders chest strap and put it on the P1's armor. Switch the left arm's shoulder piece, and you're ready to go. It fits as well as the Elders own armor cause it's the same exact sculpt.

S. Griffin

08-29-2009, 01:39 PM

I was hoping it wouldn't be too involved. The chest straps come off pretty easily, then? Also what do you think is the best way to deal the the tube/pipe thing that goes from the chest to the shoulder? Cut it off and repaint?
Thanks

SilentSurfer

08-29-2009, 11:48 PM

The P2 Elder doesn't have the tube from chest to shoulder, so I just pulled it off. The soft rubber will just rip away. No repainting required. Easiest custom I've done.

prefused

08-30-2009, 12:09 AM

The P2 Elder doesn't have the tube from chest to shoulder, so I just pulled it off. The soft rubber will just rip away. No repainting required. Easiest custom I've done.
pictures - or else, this did not occur.

SilentSurfer

08-30-2009, 11:02 AM

Here you go. Some quick shots.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM5062.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM5063.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM5065.jpg

And here's the Elder's armor iwth P1 strap and the P1 hose and left gauntlet, soon to be hitting eBay unless somebody here wants it.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/digidozer/HPIM5041.jpg

prefused

08-30-2009, 11:31 AM

i immediately regret asking for pictures...
that looks great and i'm afraid to see what p1 armor goes for. probably too much.

S. Griffin

08-30-2009, 01:57 PM

i immediately regret asking for pictures...
that looks great and i'm afraid to see what p1 armor goes for. probably too much.

The armor (including med kit) I just bought off the bay cost $55 shipped. I would have loved it if it were cheaper, but it's worth it to me to make my elder more accurate.

prefused

08-30-2009, 07:23 PM

The armor (including med kit) I just bought off the bay cost $55 shipped. I would have loved it if it were cheaper, but it's worth it to me to make my elder more accurate.
hmmm. nope. not worth that much to me. i'd pay maybe half that.
oh well. i've gotten lucky on ebay before...

Hydeous

08-31-2009, 11:58 PM

The P2 Elder doesn't have the tube from chest to shoulder, so I just pulled it off. The soft rubber will just rip away. No repainting required. Easiest custom I've done.

Waitaminute... so the armor of P1 could actually fit on the P2 elder's body? I'm interested in doing such mod myself, but wanted to wait out and see first. So did you take off the batteries etc?

SilentSurfer

09-01-2009, 08:19 AM

No modding needed to put the P1 armor on the P2 Elder. It fits perfectly. It's the same sculpted armor as the Elder, they just added a removable med kit and batteries, but the fit is exaclty the same.

All you have to do is switch the chest strap. Rip off and reglue. Easy peasy.

Furious1

09-01-2009, 08:25 AM

SS, sorry for sounding ignorant, but what is the advantage to making the switch? I'm guessing so you can have the built in batteries to power the laser sight you are putting on the canon...

SilentSurfer

09-01-2009, 11:27 AM

That's one advantage. The other is that you get full articulation out of the cannon, and you can have it go into sleep mode. Also, HT seems to have given the cannon more distance from the head, so the (Elder) Predator's dreads aren't all over it.

prefused

09-01-2009, 11:47 AM

the reason i want to do it is because it just looks more accurate.
in the movie, the elder's cannon wasn't right next to his head. it was way out over his shoulder.
also, yes, it would be awesome to have the sight light up. even though i'd have no clue how to do that.

SilentSurfer

09-01-2009, 12:25 PM

The site doesn't exist on the figure cannon, but could be scratch built.

Yeah, in the movie the whole shoulder assembly is kinda hanging off at an angle.

usswanker

09-01-2009, 05:31 PM

I got my Predator last wendsday and I have to say this thread has helped a lot. Thank you guys for all the post you have put up on here. The Predator figure is by far the coolest HT figure that I have!

SilentSurfer

09-01-2009, 10:54 PM

That's what this site's all about. It's helped me out plenty, and in many different ways.

usswanker

09-01-2009, 10:57 PM

That's what this site's all about. It's helped me out plenty, and in many different ways.

Thats what makes this community so awesome! :rock :rock

Cajunsith

09-06-2009, 06:39 PM

Here is my contribution to this thread. I removed the original lenses & added my own. I used clear clamshell packaging, just painted one side black. In hand, the lenses look a lot better than in the pics. Sorry for the crappy pics, my camera sucks. :o

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/cajunpredator/DSCI0251.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/cajunpredator/DSCI0255-1.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/cajunpredator/DSCI0256-1.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/cajunpredator/DSCI0261.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/cajunpredator/DSCI0266-1.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/cajunpredator/DSCI0246-1.jpg

jutty

09-06-2009, 06:49 PM

this thread is superb,,some very excellent modifications here,,atm im too nervous to modify my Pred,:D

Cajunsith

09-06-2009, 07:14 PM

this thread is superb,,some very excellent modifications here,,atm im too nervous to modify my Pred,:D

That's exactly why I bought 2 of these. :naughty 1 to leave original, & 1 to customize. :D This Predator is the BEST one Hot Toys made by far!!! :banana

SilentSurfer

09-07-2009, 09:52 AM

I've been thinking of doing a lens replacement too, but I'd go for the mirrored sunglasses approach. Just not sure of the best way to get the little grid line on the lenses.

A.L.I.E.N

09-07-2009, 10:12 AM

That's what this site's all about. It's helped me out plenty, and in many different ways.

I understand completley, this site got me laid!:maul

fawk3s

09-07-2009, 10:55 AM

I understand completley, this site got me laid!:maul

i slightly lol'd

SilentSurfer

09-07-2009, 06:11 PM

I understand completley, this site got me laid!:maul

Really, by what?

Articulation Junkie

09-07-2009, 09:22 PM

I thought I could ignore it, but I just can't stand it anymore. I've had my Predator for a while now and I need some advice. Those little rings, clasps, dread ties, or whatever you wanna call those things on the Pred's dreads aren't painted very well on my P1. About nine of them have a f'd up paint job and there's two of them that aren't painted at all. Based on what I've seen in this Perfect Pred Thread (say that 3x fast.) I'd say this is the best place to ask for some tips. Here's a pic of of my P1.

Devil_666

09-07-2009, 10:23 PM

Time to release your inner Bob Ross and break out some matching paint + a brush. You could even use those metallic paint markers from Sharpie. If the color is too bright with the markers just rub the painted area to dull it down.

taylerdurdem

09-08-2009, 02:31 PM

i have a same problem:monkey2

FLOSI

09-08-2009, 02:35 PM

i have a same problem:monkey2

Hellofa first post. :D

Reinhardt

09-08-2009, 03:11 PM

Not the best pic, but this is what I did with my Wolf Predator:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/neehargupta/wolf-026.jpg

Just used folk art metallic paints (silver, gold and bronze) and painted them on - then did a blackwash to fade the colours a bit.

Articulation Junkie

09-08-2009, 08:53 PM

Articulation Junkie

09-08-2009, 08:53 PM

SilentSurfer

09-08-2009, 08:56 PM

Reinhardt

09-09-2009, 04:19 AM

Thank you.

Considering how cheap Folk Art paints are, they ARE fantastic. I kicked it up notch on my Lost Predator - It's out right now being customized, but when I get it back I'll be sure to take pics of the dreads.

Wor-Gar

10-04-2009, 10:15 PM

bumped for someone....

devastator's balls

10-05-2009, 06:18 PM

Articulation Junkie

10-05-2009, 06:55 PM

Hi! new user here!, just got this badboy over the weekend from BBTS, but I just had a newb question for any vets. I'm trying to take out his default hands so I can put on the sculpted fists, but everytime I do, only the hand comes off and the ball and peg still remain in the forearm. Is it supposed to stay in? Any help would be appreciated :)

Same thing with my P1 Pred too. I just took the joints out of the extra hand and fists for spares just in case one happens to break.

P.S. Welcome to the Show

devastator's balls

10-05-2009, 08:59 PM

Allright i'll just do that then. Thanks a lot for the help Junkie and also for the welcome :)

tylerdurden

10-05-2009, 09:19 PM

love yer nick, devastator's *****. :lol
i take it you're a michael bay fan?

welcome to the freakshow, btw.

Hydeous

10-06-2009, 01:03 AM

Okay, this question prolly pops out more often that some of you'd like.

But here it is anyways:

How do I bring down those dreads on the P1? The ones on my P2 and P2 elder was perfect, without any mods done.

I tried using a rubberband to tie em down and use a hairdryer on my lost predator once, but its just not working.

Advice would be very much appreciated.

DeadLeaves

10-06-2009, 02:13 AM

Hi! new user here!, just got this badboy over the weekend from BBTS, but I just had a newb question for any vets. I'm trying to take out his default hands so I can put on the sculpted fists, but everytime I do, only the hand comes off and the ball and peg still remain in the forearm. Is it supposed to stay in? Any help would be appreciated :)

Heat up the parts in question (any parts) with a hair dryer & they will be much easier to attach/remove. If it isn't working heat it up more - don't push harder. We all know how that ends. :o

GDZILLA95

10-06-2009, 06:03 AM

I have used the boiling H2O methed, and it has worked for me.
I used a rubber band to hold the dreds down, then put the head in a pot of boiling H2O for about 2 minutes, and then run cold H2O over them. All of the ones that I have done this to have remained flat. I used several popsicle sticks to stick in the Pred's neck hole so the entire head doesn't just float in the H2O.

Hydeous

10-06-2009, 08:18 AM

I'm too scared that the paint on those dreads or the face is going to melt or something.

Is there any before and after pics of the P1 dreads after the boiling water treatment?

And are there any other methods?

I have used the boiling H2O methed, and it has worked for me.
I used a rubber band to hold the dreds down, then put the head in a pot of boiling H2O for about 2 minutes, and then run cold H2O over them. All of the ones that I have done this to have remained flat. I used several popsicle sticks to stick in the Pred's neck hole so the entire head doesn't just float in the H2O.

prefused

10-06-2009, 03:21 PM

devastator's balls

10-06-2009, 05:08 PM

Alright i'll give this a shot. The method Junkie mentioned worked already, but at least this will make the pegs come out with the hands (hopefully) Thanks DeadLeaves! :)

GDZILLA95

10-06-2009, 05:36 PM

the boiling water/hairdryer thing only works for a day or so and the dreads will go back to the way they were out of the box.
the only way to permanently fix them is to remove them and either insert a small piece of wire at the tops or cut them at an angle.
i don't recommend doing either unless you're an experienced customizer.
and there are several on this board who will be happy to do it for you. it's worth it.

I have used the boiling water method on two P1s, two P2s, and a P2 Lost. The dreds have remained in the post boil position since I did them, which was around the end of August. Mine may be an exception to the rule, but IMO it is worth it to at least try it.:D

holtrax

10-06-2009, 05:39 PM

Ok so i finished customising the pred 1.

It has

Adjustable laser flash sequence allowing to adjust the flash to fast slow or any speed desired

Wrist computer detonation sequence countdown

Updated targeting system display.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KSyZAgRtdSo&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KSyZAgRtdSo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

devastator's balls

10-06-2009, 06:49 PM

^ Man that is awesome!! I love the flashing light on the shoulder cannon and the countdown on the wrist computer, it's funny I can barely get my hands to work and you got all that stuff going on. Good Job!!!

SilentSurfer

10-06-2009, 07:29 PM

Damn it, Holtrax, where's the how to tutorial, brother?!

prefused

10-06-2009, 08:03 PM

aw snap. i think somebody is gonna be getting some p1 mod requests.

tylerdurden

10-07-2009, 07:24 AM

superb custom work, holtrax.

what did u use to make the plasma cannon light?

Reinhardt

10-07-2009, 07:29 AM

Just amazing work! Yes, we'd love a tutorial if possible. Very cool stuff indeed. Is your targeting system a laser now, or still an LED?

VALVOLINER

10-07-2009, 03:20 PM

the boiling water/hairdryer thing only works for a day or so and the dreads will go back to the way they were out of the box.
the only way to permanently fix them is to remove them and either insert a small piece of wire at the tops or cut them at an angle.
i don't recommend doing either unless you're an experienced customizer.
and there are several on this board who will be happy to do it for you. it's worth it.

I used the hairdryer and the rubberband trick on P2, Lost P2, and P1 and the dreads are permanently fixed since then..(P2 was the first and have past a year since then).

I hated the wired dreads on the old predator so I would never use that method :sick

prefused

10-07-2009, 03:56 PM

I used the hairdryer and the rubberband trick on P2, Lost P2, and P1 and the dreads are permanently fixed since then..(P2 was the first and have past a year since then).

I hated the wired dreads on the old predator so I would never use that method :sick
well, then yours is magic. never worked for me.

i'm not talking about wiring the entire dread like the crappy avp figures.
just a small piece of wire at the very top of the dread where it connects to the head so they can be bent down.
i'm too lazy to search, but there are a few topics on modding dreads permanently here and they look amazing.

holtrax

10-07-2009, 07:47 PM

Somewhere deep in the jungles of south america...

<object width="800" height="380"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/woSiRs9QiA8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/woSiRs9QiA8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

prefused

10-07-2009, 08:05 PM

that "Billy" figure head could use some customizing.

also, isn't the figure kinda short? i remember him being bigger than arnold.

holtrax

10-08-2009, 12:44 AM

VALVOLINER

10-08-2009, 03:14 AM

well, then yours is magic. never worked for me.

i'm not talking about wiring the entire dread like the crappy avp figures.
just a small piece of wire at the very top of the dread where it connects to the head so they can be bent down.
i'm too lazy to search, but there are a few topics on modding dreads permanently here and they look amazing.

Put the rubberband arround the head a use the hairdryer until the dreads will be really,really hot (hot,hot very hot:D)...the wait 1 or 2 days and then remove the rubberband, and voila..pretty easy and permanent.

First time I tried, the dreads was not too hot and remove the rubberband inmediatly..then the dreads went back to the original position 1 or 2 days after,But as I told you the trick is THE HOT and leave the rubberband 1 or 2 days to fix the dreads.

Try again this method and yo will see the difference :naughty

prefused

10-08-2009, 07:18 AM

Funnily enough I actually prefer billy with the camo face. Dunno why. Probably the only one who does. Know its not accurate but meh still looks cool imo. Unfortunately even when you repaint his face the facial structure doesn't look quite right he ends up sorta looking like the vampire hunter kid from the lost boys. Although there are some people on here who have done a fantastic job repainting him so dunno still may repaint his face and hair and see how it turns out.

His face was more elongated and sunken cheeked in the movie rather then plump and short so it still may turn out a little off.

The height thing yeah your right he's supposed to be taller then arnie but yeah i dunno maybe its just the way hes standing in the vid. Maybe because they couldn't get the image rights they had to make him a little shorter.
all that stuff right there, plus the comical retail price, are why i'll probably never ever own it.
i don't see the point of owning a figure without the likeness.
Put the rubberband arround the head a use the hairdryer until the dreads will be really,really hot (hot,hot very hot:D)...the wait 1 or 2 days and then remove the rubberband, and voila..pretty easy and permanent.

First time I tried, the dreads was not too hot and remove the rubberband inmediatly..then the dreads went back to the original position 1 or 2 days after,But as I told you the trick is THE HOT and leave the rubberband 1 or 2 days to fix the dreads.

Try again this method and yo will see the difference :naughty
hmmm. i'll have to go back in time before i had them pro customized to try that.
wonder if i can time travel with a hairdryer and rubber bands too...

10-08-2009, 01:30 PM

oh, that's where a thread for p1 modifications is.

the only thing i did to mine was correcting the eye lenses.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290/Tinkey-Vinkey/Aliens%20and%20Predators/Predator%20Hot%20Toys/new-eyes_05.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290/Tinkey-Vinkey/Aliens%20and%20Predators/Predator%20Hot%20Toys/new-eyes_03.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290/Tinkey-Vinkey/Aliens%20and%20Predators/Predator%20Hot%20Toys/new-eyes_04.jpg

holtrax

10-09-2009, 06:11 AM

holtrax

10-09-2009, 08:40 AM

Ok so your pred shades was so good i decided to add them to mine.

<a href="http://s731.photobucket.com/albums/ww318/holtrax/?action=view&current=DSC01491.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww318/holtrax/DSC01491.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s731.photobucket.com/albums/ww318/holtrax/?action=view&current=DSC01492.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww318/holtrax/DSC01492.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s731.photobucket.com/albums/ww318/holtrax/?action=view&current=DSC014913jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww318/holtrax/DSC01493.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

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10-09-2009, 03:20 PM

what did you use for lenses? because my way is too difficult for me, and i have to modify 2 helmets more.

holtrax

10-09-2009, 04:23 PM

Used magnetic tape then attached. Bit hard to get in a fit i.e the cutting but does the job.

SilentSurfer

10-09-2009, 10:46 PM

oh, that's where a thread for p1 modifications is.

the only thing i did to mine was correcting the eye lenses.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290/Tinkey-Vinkey/Aliens%20and%20Predators/Predator%20Hot%20Toys/new-eyes_05.jpg

But the lenses aren't black; they're supposed to be mirrored with fine mesh over them.

Mesa

10-09-2009, 11:28 PM

But the lenses aren't black; they're supposed to be mirrored with fine mesh over them.

I didn't like this mod either, didn't seem to improve the appearance IMO. I could give two ^^^^s about how screen accurate it is, I just want it to look good on the shelf and IMO, the more detail (i.e. mesh) looks better than less detail (i.e. flat black).

10-10-2009, 12:50 AM

they're supposed to be mirroredthey are when there is no flash. because the 3.5" disc material itself looks like glass.
when it's in a natural light, or when no flash is used, the mirror effect is perfectly visible.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290/Tinkey-Vinkey/Aliens%20and%20Predators/Predator%20Hot%20Toys/new-eyes_04.jpg

actually i thought about using HT P2 lenses from my reserve p2, but the shape didn't fit.

with fine mesh over themfor p1 - no.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290/Tinkey-Vinkey/Aliens%20and%20Predators/Predator%201/pred1sdfgd.jpg

it's only for p2.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290/Tinkey-Vinkey/Aliens%20and%20Predators/Predator%202/46.jpg

and even for p2 it is not always visible (so i'm happy with HT variant where it is visible only with a lamp behind):

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290/Tinkey-Vinkey/Aliens%20and%20Predators/Predator%202/22.jpg

but i have never noticed any mesh for P1.
it became fully visible only in andersen's movie, and as i hate those post-predator movies in the same way as i hate ADI designs at all, i was very glad to delete this stupid mesh. it looked like a bee with it.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w290/Tinkey-Vinkey/Aliens%20and%20Predators/AvP%201%20movie/dyrki-2.jpg

I could give two ^^^^s about how screen accurate it isand i do appreciate the movie accuracy. in other way i would be happy with some wooden figure made by drunk sculptor.
not to mention that i respect original Stan Winston's design thousand times more than the herecy from ADI which is brought to original HT helmet.

Used magnetic tape then attached. Bit hard to get in a fit i.e the cutting but does the job.well, i think my way is a little easier. i took this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Floppy_disk_90mm.JPG

the same black mirror effect, but easier to cut the shape.

holtrax

10-10-2009, 05:56 AM

its all cool as long as it looks good. To be honest i like the meshed look also and i can agree with the comments about people preferring more detail with the meshed look. I was thinking about that too but what swayed me is like you said in the first movie they didn't use mesh on it

http://www.ooops.pl/makowskiundpepe/images/predator-superpred9.jpg

It was dark lens and i think personally he looks more menacing when he has the dark lens attached. Just adds more because of the contrast to the rest of his masks color and really highlights the eye area.

Legion

10-12-2009, 04:59 PM

Reinhardt

10-16-2009, 05:41 PM

While not P1, someone was commenting a while back on painting the dreads of their Predator. Here are the repainted dreads on my Lost Predator, and Alice's brilliant dread mod.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/neehargupta/IMG_6643.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/neehargupta/IMG_6645.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/neehargupta/IMG_6641.jpg

prefused

10-16-2009, 07:01 PM

I didn't like this mod either, didn't seem to improve the appearance IMO. I could give two ^^^^s about how screen accurate it is, I just want it to look good on the shelf and IMO, the more detail (i.e. mesh) looks better than less detail (i.e. flat black).
lollerskates.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tS13huJGCHI&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tS13huJGCHI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

10-17-2009, 01:34 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/neehargupta/IMG_6641.jpgdid you repaint the armor or it is just photo effect?

Reinhardt

10-17-2009, 04:31 AM

did you repaint the armor or it is just photo effect?

Fully repainted.

kairus

10-17-2009, 08:34 AM

that lost predator looks pretty awsome real nice pictures

10-17-2009, 08:58 AM

Fully repainted.and you've got excellent effect.
i always envy everybody who has the paint and hands growing from a right place to do such kind of work.

r5150s

10-17-2009, 09:18 PM

Fully repainted.

great job on the repaint !

Rob

SilentSurfer

10-18-2009, 09:14 AM

Looks much better now. Excellent job on the dreads repositioning. They hang pefectly now. Is that the sock and hot water trick?

prefused

10-18-2009, 09:50 AM

Looks much better now. Excellent job on the dreads repositioning. They hang pefectly now. Is that the sock and hot water trick?
nope. the dreads have a small piece of wire inserted at the top where they connect to the head.
it looks awesome and i had the same thing done to mine (thanks, Alice).

Centrocal

10-18-2009, 10:21 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/neehargupta/IMG_6641.jpg

LOL its Pred-Vincent :lol

http://www.popartuk.com/g/l/lgpp31059+vincent-vega-and-jules-winnfield-pulp-fiction-poster.jpg

SilentSurfer

10-19-2009, 10:29 AM

nope. the dreads have a small piece of wire inserted at the top where they connect to the head.
it looks awesome and i had the same thing done to mine (thanks, Alice).

That's a lot of extra work, but well worth it. Thanks for the tip.

prefused

10-19-2009, 12:36 PM

That's a lot of extra work, but well worth it. Thanks for the tip.
definitely worth it. i won't have to worry about the dreads ever warping again.
i probably did that hot water/rubber band trick 4-5 times and i finally got fed up and had them modded.

Station

10-19-2009, 12:42 PM

definitely worth it. i won't have to worry about the dreads ever warping again.
i probably did that hot water/rubber band trick 4-5 times and i finally got fed up and had them modded.

so do you send out the head and get it modded or do it yourself? i cant seem to find the post on here where it's shown how to do it

prefused

10-19-2009, 01:46 PM

so do you send out the head and get it modded or do it yourself? i cant seem to find the post on here where it's shown how to do it
i sent mine to Alice to mod because i'm too chicken^^^^^ to yank the dreads out of a $130 figure myself.
there was a topic on how to do it here a while ago. might be a pain to find though.

Station

10-19-2009, 04:44 PM

i sent mine to Alice to mod because i'm too chicken^^^^^ to yank the dreads out of a $130 figure myself.
there was a topic on how to do it here a while ago. might be a pain to find though.

Cool. Would you mind sharing how long it took and how much it cost? I'm getting tired of the hot water and rubber band myself.

prefused

10-19-2009, 06:43 PM

Cool. Would you mind sharing how long it took and how much it cost? I'm getting tired of the hot water and rubber band myself.
really, the best thing to do is send a pm to a customizer (mine was done by Alice) and just ask.
it isn't my place to go around advertising what they charge for their work since that can change for any number of reasons.
and it isn't fair to anyone to give you expectations.

edit - i will say it's definitely more than worth it and my experience was very fair and professional.

sixxshooter

11-25-2009, 12:11 PM

Can someone please tell me what color paint and what type to use on my open mandibles for predator 1. I want to make it look more like the cinemaquette mandibles. Hot are red inside and it's not screen acurate.

dano669

11-26-2009, 10:39 PM

these mods sound pretty cool,but then again the predator looks pretty cool as is.Im moding my marines from aliens like crazy but presonally Id take the "If it aint broke dont fix it" approach.

dedguy

12-28-2009, 07:49 AM

Here's a few much better pics. I was on quite a bad run of photos when I was taking pics of him the first time.

From top left to bottom right:

Leather chest strap and shoulder strap (I cut the tab holding the shoulder armor to the chest strap and added a more accurate leather armpit strap)
Much more accurate three strapped leather pouch to replace the plastic one.
Leather belt which lacks the embossing on the plastic Hot Toys belt but does have more accurate holes along the outside edges of the belt
Leather knee wraps, totally absent on the original figure.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4221830685_3d4128fe59_b.jpg

a-dev

12-28-2009, 01:14 PM

Many of the changes some of you are making are too minor for me to be worried about doing myself but fair play to you for trying to create the ultimate P1 collectible. Pity nothing can be done about how small he is.

Alice

12-28-2009, 03:21 PM

Pity nothing can be done about how small he is.

Not true. ALL of the height loss is due to the headsculpt. A bit of the loss is due to the head itself not being sculpted quite as long/tall as previous preds, but the majority of the inch or so loss is due to the new neck joint. The way the head connects to the ball joint to be precise. Where the old pred heads just popped onto the neck and sat flush the P1 sculpt is actually the same height in the neck area, but it's concave and kind of envelopes a bit of the neck post. HT sacrificed a bit of height for more neck articulation. A fix would be simple, and it wouldn't leave P1 looking disproportioned afterwards.

I took both my Elder P2 and P1 apart as I'm doing mods to both, and I examined both bodies extremely closely. Both bodies are exactly the same save for a few things. Here's an excerpt from a PM I sent to Silent Surfer:

I took both my P1 and EP2 apart to see if my suspicions were correct and they were. For the P1 they sculpted completely new shoulder *****, the the top of the biceps were altered a bit to accommodate the new shoulders (they no longer need the lip to wrap around the bulbous, old shoulders), the chest is exactly the same as the old chests aside from some added texture and quills sculpted onto the pecs, and the obvious new double ball jointed neck. I checked out every single piece of the body to check for similarities, and every single piece has the same destinct markings, so I'm certain HT only made minor changes. Also, my beliefs that all of the height loss was due to the head were founded as well. Not only is the P1 head sculpted smaller overall (the head's not nearly as tall as the other preds), but the neck connector is also deeper than the other preds to accommodate the new ball joint style neck.

That said, I currently have the Elder P2's head sitting on a P1 body and P1's sitting on Elder P2's body (flush with the neck post like previous preds, not pushed down so it wraps around the neck like it does on the P1 neck post, and they're both almost the same height. With a small bit of minor surgery P1's neck problems can be fixed, he can be regular height and still look proportionate AND any surgery is easily covered by the neck collar. I'll be doing this eventually, so I'll post some pics for all to see.

Devil_666

12-28-2009, 03:34 PM

i cant seem to find the post on here where it's shown how to do it

Here you go man.

HT Predator 2 Mods (Dreads + Left Hand) (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39794)

dedguy

01-14-2010, 03:28 PM

I did some additional internal sanding out and overall remolding of my Predator mask. I think the fit and shape is much better even than my original stab at it. It sits closer to the face now and I think follows the shape of the head better. The chin is also less pointy. You can see from this oft-used screencap how flat the mask is to the face. I really think that as depicted in the film the mask isn't even possible. It doesn't leave enough room for the mandibles.

http://dedguy.net/dedguy.net_old/junk/Pred2.png

I do think it's a CRAZY improvement over the original mask which is simply unacceptable. I don't know why they made it so thick for one, the shape is all wrong, and it hangs way off the face. It often looks okay in pics because you can't tell how much is sticks forward off the face.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4275411134_34d66b45b3_b.jpg