How do I replace missing body parts?

[MustBeJewel]

How Do I Replace Missing Body Parts?

Every now and again, some poor unsuspecting pony is mistaken for a chew toy, often resulting in the loss of one or more of their hollow limbs, horns, or wings.

But with a little creativity, you can have them looking nearly new again!





Step 1: Have the right supplies on hand

Supplies you will generally need for repairing missing pony body parts include:

- An air-dry clay like Apoxie Sculpt--this clay is extremely strong and durable, and will not shrink upon drying.

- Sculpting tools--you can only get so much detail with your fingers alone.

- Sandpaper (fine grit)

- Enough colors of acrylic craft paint to be able to match your pony's color as closely as possible. Test it until dry on something else first, as paint can dry darker than you expect.

- A quality matte sealant to protect your finished paint job.




Step 2: Get sculpting!

Take your time, and do not rush!


For replacement wings or horns/etc, consider picking up a mold-making kit like the one below. You can use it to make a mold from the same (undamaged) pony and produce an exact replica of the part to affix to your damaged one:




It is recommended to experiment on some other items first if you are new to mold-making and casting.





Step 3: Sanding

Once your clay of choice has completely cured, begin sanding.

One sculptor's trick is to shine a flashlight or lamp across your item rather than down onto it--this will show you the areas that may feel smooth, but which need more sanding.

Remember that even tiny flaws will show up under your paint job, so sand it smooth!



Step 4: Painting

Once your sanding job is complete, and you have cleaned any remaining dust from your pony's new appendage, it's time to paint!

You can use craft store acrylic paint and a high quality paint brush. Multiple super-thin coats are recommended for the best result. Do not glop on paint in a thick coat hoping it will cover faster--you'll be doing yourself a disservice when you end up removing that paint job and starting over again

Spray paint or air brushing is another option, but it may be hard to get an exact color match with spray paint.




Step 5: Matte clear coat sealant

Once your painting job has dried, use a matte (ie: not shiny or glossy) sealant to protect your work.







YouTube Tutorials:

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