My Custom 18" Neca Endoskeleton

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anderton Prime
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Anderton Prime

Anderton Prime

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I debated for a long time before picking one of Neca's 18" Terminator Endoskeleton toys up. I kept going back to the store to look at it in the package, only to see too many flaws to justify me buying it. But after seeing some pretty incredible work by other hobbyists with the toy, I was inspired enough to finally get one and see what I could do with it. Here are the pictures. One is of the item in the box, the next is the finished product, after mounting it on a wooden base, priming and painting with Alclad II Chrome paint, and using a gloss black wash to give it a weathered look. The pictures don't do it justice; it really looks awesome in person.
 

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Looks nice Prime, I'm a Terminator fan and in your opinion is the figure worth getting?
 
As I said, I wasn't too crazy about it as it came out of the box. The head only swivels side to side, and doesn't move up or down. When I tried to force it a little, it broke off and I had to glue it in place in the position I wanted. For $50 Canadian (not sure what that is American, probably about $35) it's pretty well priced for the size, but the jaw needs to be glued closed because it always falls open.

If you have some painting skills, I would suggest buying it because you can make a beautiful piece out of it with a little time and dedication. Honestly, this is one of my favourite pieces, partly because it looks gorgeous, but mostly because I did it.
 
No, I used a product that's relatively new but is receiving rave reviews throughout the modelling community. It's called Alclad II, and it comes in several different metallic finish varieties. I used the "Chrome" for this Endoskeleton. You first have to prime your model and paint it with gloss black enamel (also sold by Alclad II) and then paint on the chrome. I personally think I put too much chrome on; the bottle says to apply two light coats, and I applied two dark coats instead. That's why I applied the black wash, and now it's flawless It looks better than the metal-plated model put out by sideshow of the endoskeleton!
 
I'd say! It looks amazing. I'll have to check that product out the next time i'm in my LHS. Could use it for some custom mufflers, or other engine parts.
 
It comes in many different metal finishes, you should definitely check it out. But you need an airbrush to apply it; it absolutely will not work any other way. It's already pre-thinned perfectly for airbrishes too. In fact, it gives specific instructions NOT to thin it prior to applying it.
 
There's another Endoskeleton statue I was thinking about picking up from Japan, it's made by a company called Aoshima. It comes in two versions, the better one being the "Weathered" one in my opinion, because it's been given a black wash over the silver metal to give it more depth. Here's a pic of the weathered one:
 

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In Terminator's shocks, do you think they were KYB or Monroe? < lame joke..

That's awesome looking. You've got some serious skill as a painter. 👍 👍

Doesn't Aoshima also make model cars?
 
It looks as though this thread has been around for a few months, so forgive me for the bump. I just recently purchased NECA's 18" T-800 and have been considering customizing it in a similar fashion.

However, I don't have much experience with anything of the sort, and I'm afraid I'll ruin it if I try. Plus, I no longer have access to an airbrush. Is this something I can do without one? Being inexperienced, is it even worth the attempt?
 
No problem Draedalus. I don't mind talking about my creation!

I am pretty sure the paint I used is for airbrush only. If you tried to apply it with a brush, I don't know that it would turn out at all, and with this specific brand of paint, it works by first painting a layer of high-gloss black and making sure you get it as smooth as possible, so the chrome really shines and reflects properly when you put it on. I didn't get the black smooth enough, so when I applied the chrome paint it still lacked depth. So I used a black wash, meaning I watered down black paint and applied it with a brush, wiping off the excess with a tissue so the black paint stayed in the crevices and grooves to give the endoskeleton depth.

Since you don't have an airbrush, I would try finding another product, perhaps automotive chrome paint, that comes in its own spraycan. Metal has always been tricky to make look authentic when dealing with models, but apparently the chrome I used is the best on the market so far...

Hope I could help. Any more questions feel free to ask them!
 
Anderton Prime
No problem Draedalus. I don't mind talking about my creation!

I am pretty sure the paint I used is for airbrush only. If you tried to apply it with a brush, I don't know that it would turn out at all, and with this specific brand of paint, it works by first painting a layer of high-gloss black and making sure you get it as smooth as possible, so the chrome really shines and reflects properly when you put it on. I didn't get the black smooth enough, so when I applied the chrome paint it still lacked depth. So I used a black wash, meaning I watered down black paint and applied it with a brush, wiping off the excess with a tissue so the black paint stayed in the crevices and grooves to give the endoskeleton depth.

Since you don't have an airbrush, I would try finding another product, perhaps automotive chrome paint, that comes in its own spraycan. Metal has always been tricky to make look authentic when dealing with models, but apparently the chrome I used is the best on the market so far...

Hope I could help. Any more questions feel free to ask them!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.

That's one of my main concerns, is depth. I'm hesitant to even spray the paint on in case the layers aren't thin enough and I fill the crevices in the sculpt, effectively eliminating all definition and detail.

I don't know. For the most part, I'd like to conceal those splotches I mentioned in my message. In all truth, there aren't many of them, and they're not easily noticed. I guess it's my perfectionism speaking. I can live with it.

Thanks again.
 
Hi, I also bought the Neca's 18" Terminator Endoskeleton.

The pictures from Anderton Prime look absolutely great and I now also intend to chrome it up. Thanks to Anderton for the instructions concerning the Alclad II. In fact I found similar instructions on other fora, so I'm confident that it will work out very well. 👍

There is only one thing I would like to know, if I'm allowed to ask: did Anderton take the endo apart before painting? Trivial issue, but I wonder if one can reach all parts of the endo while it is still assembled. (I'm obviously inexperience in this and I am concerned either getting paint into the joints or having some visible parts unpainted.)

If one has to take the endo apart, I would be very much grateful to learn, if there are any tricky parts I have to be careful with. Hope, someone knows. :bowdown:
 
No I didn't take the endoskeleton apart at all. It's pretty poseable, except for the head which doesn't move up and down. I had to force it, and of course the two neck rods popped out and eventually before I got the head into the position I wanted, it broke off completely. Fortunately, I have some skill with CA glue, and was able to re-attach it the way I wanted.
 

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