I am new to all of the action figure customization, and I wanted to know what paint I could use to make my figures look like the ones that the four horsemen show at comic con. They look so awesome that they don't even look like plastic at all. They almost look like mini statues. Please help me and thank you!!

Actually, the figures the 4H show usually aren't plastic action figures.

If they are showing the 2ups or paint masters, they literally are "little statues" and more of a casting material or wax than they are plastic.

As for paints, check out your local modeller's shop and try some of the acrylic based paints. Most will work well for action figures that have been given a base coat of primer and every customizer will likely recommend their own personal preference brand.

Wow. Really? That is a bummer cause they look awesome!

As far as the paint, I really don't like the custom figures looking shiny, but more of a statue coloring...do you still recommend acrylic paint for that?

And also is the acrylic paint also looks good on statues?

To get rid of the shiny finish you will need to use a Matte sealer. "Matte" is the magic word you want to look for.

Again, a lot of it will depend on the base material of the sculpt/figure itself. You will almost always have to use a primer of some sort, partly to help the paint bond to the plastic, partly to help control the way the final color appears based on the under tones of what you are painting over.

There are others on the board that are much more informed and better able to guide you, but these are the basics to get you started.

Check some of the other threads, Jin's in particular for some great tutorials, to get more info before you get started in the wrong direction.

Acrylic paint is a MUST for action figures. Whatever you do, do not use enamal as it will never dry. One of my first "customs" was made over 30 years ago and I used Testor's enamal (model car paint) on a Fisher-Price Adventure people figure, I still run across that thing every so often when I'm searching for something else and it is still very tacky to the touch.

If you check out my custom action figure works in progress postings, you'll see that I STRONGLY recommend using hobby acrylics such as Citadel Paints (or my personal favorites Vallejo paints). They will give you that matte finish, statue look you seek.

You will need to be patient and properly sand, prep, and primer your surfaces prior to painting. But the results are SO worth the effort! Best of luck, and let us see what you come up with!

Where can I check out your customs??? And you think you could give me a step by step tutorial on how to get that matte finish? I can even donate through paypal if I need to!!!

You can see DarkLord's AMAZING customs (and his step-by-steps) in this thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22736