Ever looked at your NECA Terminator figure and wished it stood out from the crowd? Customizing action figures has become a favorite way for collectors and hobbyists to express creativity, add value, and make their collection truly unique.
Whether you’re after movie-accurate battle damage, new accessories, or a fresh paint job, knowing how to customize your NECA Terminator is both rewarding and fun. In this article, you’ll find clear steps, practical tips, and creative inspiration to get started.
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How to Create NECA Terminator Custom Action Figures
If you’re a fan of the Terminator franchise and love NECA’s line of detailed figures, the idea of creating your own custom NECA Terminator figure is both exciting and rewarding. Customizing figures allows you to bring one-of-a-kind creations to life—be it a battle-damaged T-800, a never-before-released character, or your own imaginative take on the iconic machines. Whether you’re experienced or just starting, this guide will walk you through the process, offer helpful tips, and answer your most pressing questions.
What Does “NECA Terminator Custom” Mean?
A “NECA Terminator custom” simply refers to a Terminator figure, typically produced by NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association), that has been modified, painted, or customized in some way. These customs are often inspired by:
- Scenes not available in official releases (like specific battle damage, alternative outfits, or diorama environments).
- Characters or designs not released in the main NECA line.
- Your personal creative ideas for original Terminator figures or crossovers.
Fans and artists use NECA’s highly detailed and articulated figures as starting points for their customizations, thanks to the figures’ quality and scale consistency.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a NECA Terminator Custom Figure
1. Decide On Your Concept
Start with a clear idea. Some popular custom Terminator figures include:
- A damaged Endoskeleton with unique battle effects.
- Police station shootout T-800 with specific accessories.
- Characters from spin-off media (comics, video games).
- Mashups or alternate-timeline versions.
Sketch your vision or gather reference images for inspiration.
2. Gather Tools and Supplies
Essential materials for your custom project include:
- A NECA Terminator base figure (T-800, T-1000, or other versions).
- Sculpting putty (like epoxy putty or milliput) for new details.
- Fine detail brushes and hobby paints (acrylics work best).
- Hobby knives and sculpting tools.
- Sandpaper or files.
- Super glue or modeling adhesive.
- Optional: extra accessories (weapons, clothing, diorama elements) from other figures or kits.
3. Plan and Disassemble
- Study your base figure’s construction (most NECA figures can be gently separated at the arms, legs, and head).
- Carefully take apart your figure to make painting and sculpting easier.
- Keep track of all pieces—use small containers to avoid losing bits.
4. Sculpt and Modify
- Use sculpting putty to add or alter details—think new armor, wounds, damaged robotics, or swapped heads.
- Smooth out the sculpt with wet fingers or sculpting tools.
- Let putty fully cure before moving on (usually several hours, depending on the brand).
5. Paint Your Custom
- Clean all parts before painting to ensure paint adheres well.
- Prime your figure with a thin, even coat of spray primer designed for plastics.
- Paint base colors first, then add highlights, shading, and weathering for realism.
- For metallic Terminator parts, try dry-brushing silver over black for a steel effect.
- Add small details like blood, glowing eyes, or damage effects with fine brushes.
- Optional: Seal your work with matte or gloss varnish to protect your paint job.
6. Reassemble and Accessorize
- Once dry, carefully put your figure back together.
- Attach custom accessories, display in a unique pose, or create a mini-diorama (like a police station or lab environment).
- Take final photos to share your work with the community or for your personal collection.
Key Benefits of Making Your Own NECA Terminator Custom
- Creative Freedom: Design never-before-seen versions of your favorite characters.
- Personal Connection: Add figures to your collection that hold special meaning to you.
- Skill Building: Develop painting, sculpting, and modeling skills with every project.
- Community Engagement: Share your creations, get feedback, and trade ideas with a passionate community of collectors and artists.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Difficult Plastic Types
- Some NECA parts are a harder plastic; always use a sharp blade and work slowly.
- Warm plastic joints with hot water to avoid breakage during disassembly.
Paint Chipping
- Always prime before painting and finish with a sealant.
- Thin layers of paint adhere better and won’t gum up articulation.
Glue Mishaps
- Use superglue sparingly—too much can cloud clear plastic or damage finishes.
- For moveable parts, use a flexible adhesive or avoid glue entirely in joint areas.
Sourcing Base Figures
- Some NECA Terminator figures are rare or pricey. Look for body parts or damaged figures for cheaper bases.
- Join online groups or forums where collectors sell or trade incomplete figures.
Practical Tips, Advice, and Best Practices
- Start Simple: Your first custom doesn’t need to be elaborate. Even a new paint scheme or slightly changed accessory can create a unique figure.
- Document Your Steps: Take photos at each stage. This is great for learning, sharing, and troubleshooting.
- Work in Layers: Build up paint and effects slowly. You can always add more, but removing too much paint or putty can be tricky.
- Test New Techniques: Practice sculpting or painting details on scrap plastic before tackling your main figure.
- Protect Your Workspace: Use newspapers, trays, or cutting mats to avoid mess and damage to tables.
- Interact With Other Customizers: Online communities often share helpful tutorials, feedback, and encouragement.
Cost-Saving Tips (Including Shipping Considerations)
- Trade or Buy Used: Sourcing second-hand or incomplete NECA Terminator figures can cut costs significantly, especially when customizing.
- Bulk Supplies: Paints, putty, and tools are cheaper in sets or larger sizes.
- Combine Shipping: When purchasing multiple items (figures, paints, accessories) from one seller, ask for combined shipping rates.
- Local Pickup: Check for local buy/sell groups to avoid shipping fees altogether.
- DIY Accessories: Rather than buying accessories, make weapons or environment pieces from cardboard, putty, or repurpose parts from other figures.
- Share Orders: Team up with fellow hobbyists for bulk orders to reduce shipping per person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I start customizing a NECA Terminator figure if I have no experience?
Start with a simple repaint or minor modification. Gather basic hobby paints, brushes, and a used figure. Focus on learning how paint adheres to plastic and how to disassemble and reassemble joints before attempting full resculpts or complex builds.
Can I use any glue or paint on NECA figures?
It’s best to use hobby-grade super glue for bonding plastic parts, and acrylic paints formulated for plastic models. Other glues may melt the toy material or leave visible residue, and many household paints won’t bond well or could chip off easily.
How do I make my custom Terminator look realistic?
Use reference images from movies and study how shadows, scratches, battle damage, and metallic effects appear. Build up color with washes and dry-brushing—techniques that add depth and realism. For robots like the Endoskeleton, metallic dry-brushing is especially effective.
Where can I find inspiration and showcase my NECA Terminator custom?
Join online communities and forums dedicated to action figure customization. Many fans post their creations, provide step-by-step guides, and give constructive feedback. You can also find inspiration from people who have customized Terminator figures before you.
Are custom NECA Terminator figures worth more money?
Most customs are labors of love, but well-made, unique customs can be valuable—especially those based on rare characters or with exceptional craftsmanship. If you intend to sell, take quality photos and describe your techniques to attract collectors.
Conclusion
Customizing NECA Terminator figures is a fantastic way to combine your love for the franchise with hands-on creativity. Even with no experience, you can build skills and build a collection of action figures nobody else has. Start simple, keep learning, and engage with the enthusiastic online community of customizers—you’ll be amazed at what you can create!