Mattel Retro Action figures - customizing advice?...

[CKMBDavis]

Over the past year or so, I've been lucky enough to piece together a majority of the Mattel Retro Action DC figure line. As such, I'm interested in making some customs and I'd like them to look reasonably compatible with the Retro Action figs.

Since they do have a distinctly different look than Megos, any advice on what body styles would mostly resemble the Retro Action look (any from CTVT, for example)? And on a related note, what would one suggest as far as getting costumes and outfits made? Is there anyone here one would recommend? I'm not too worried about heads as I've customized, sculpted, and even molded many of my own from years of customizing wrestling figures. Outfits though, especially cloth ones, are definitely out of my comfort zone.

Any advice is appreciated, and thanks in advance!

[daz71]

have you tried putting an original mego suit on one to see if it fits.i've seen pictures of the green lantern with mego boots on so they fit ok unless they removed the feet.they don't look much different size wise.

[MIB41]

If you're wanting to stick with the Retro Action body which is a big part of that look in the series, I would go out to Amazon and just grab some low priced figures from that run and part them out. There are several figures that run as low as $5 and change, which is at or below cost for most bodies you can purchase specifically for customizing.

[CKMBDavis]

I've not had the opportunity to try a Mego outfit on a Retro Action body, so I'm not sure how well they fit although one would think they'd be ok. As for bodies, I have considered ordering some of the lower priced figures specifically for customizing, in fact that's probably what I'll end up doing. I'm more concerned at this point in regards to the clothing.
Thanks for the input!

[daz71]

if the bodies are the same size dr.mego suits would fit i hear the ctvt clothes are on the small side so maybe stick with doc.

[MysteryWho]

Actually I was just thinking about switch a Black Adam head to a Type S body. Is that easy or is it trouble?
Also wondering which paint remover is best for the Mattel heads. Sorry to hijack, but I thought these questions were pretty on topic.

[daz71]

Actually I was just thinking about switch a Black Adam head to a Type S body. Is that easy or is it trouble?
Also wondering which paint remover is best for the Mattel heads. Sorry to hijack, but I thought these questions were pretty on topic.

white spirit removes paint from heads just not marker.

[jayraytee]

Ive taken retro actuion heads and costumes and put them on a type S body, that works great. The only problem is getting the retro action head off, without cracking open the retro action torso. They put a hard plastic piece in the neck plug which pretty much doesn't let you successfully pull the heads out of the torso.

[TrekStar]

I hear soaking in hot water for a few minutes to soften it up, then try removing, I'm sure there is a way
you can try that or I'm sure others here have better ideas.

[jessica]

Blow dryer maybe? To warm up the plastic?

[CKMBDavis]

When I was customizing wrestling figures, the "heat and pop" method worked best (using hot water although I'm sure a blow dryer would work just as well).

Regarding clothing, the Retro Action figures looked to have more of a brighter, silky look to the fabric and was more form fitting where as Megos were always a little looser. Does anyone know what type of fabric it was?

[ODBJBG]

Pretty sure the RA figures use some sort of spandex blend. It's a really cool material, albeit a bit fragile.

[daz71]

When I was customizing wrestling figures, the "heat and pop" method worked best (using hot water although I'm sure a blow dryer would work just as well).

Regarding clothing, the Retro Action figures looked to have more of a brighter, silky look to the fabric and was more form fitting where as Megos were always a little looser. Does anyone know what type of fabric it was?

i think they were a polyester /cotton jersey mix i can't find any of that material anywhere a lot of the stuff today has a shine to it.

[PNGwynne]

^ The Mattel fabric is a variant spandex called matte milliskin, it has a tighter weave (therefore smoother) and duller finish than traditional spandex. It it is also thinner than typical spandex. It does not contain cotton. Spandex House online carries various colors of it.

I will admit to not caring much for it, it snags easily and doesn't approximate classic Mego single-knit well. But, costumes featuring milliskin would blend with existing retro-action figures.

[daz71]

^ The Mattel fabric is a variant spandex called matte milliskin, it has a tighter weave (therefore smoother) and duller finish than traditional spandex. It it is also thinner than typical spandex. It does not contain cotton. Spandex House online carries various colors of it.

I will admit to not caring much for it, it snags easily and doesn't approximate classic Mego single-knit well. But, costumes featuring milliskin would blend with existing retro-action figures.

oh i thought he was asking what original mego clothes were made of i forgot he was on about the mattel figures.