thanks for the advice

I tried sending you a PM with a great list of Transformer tutorials (painting, and more) that's located over at the TWF2005 forums. However, with the new forum update, I can't PM from the comments, and you don't turn up in the FigureRealm forum username search -- and the new system disallows posting URLs. Very, very helpful.

TF painting tips? Off the top of my head, I'd suggest washing the whole figure with soapy water before doing anything. Let it dry, then sand the whole thing down with a fine grit sandpaper. Then base coat it (either with a krylon or Tamiya acrylic spray) then paint in thin layers using a high quality paint. As in paint one layer, then physically *walk away* from the figure. Let that dry, then go back and add another, and repeat. Also, using washes to pick up detail works well, particularly when combined with drybrushing a lighter version of the base color afterward.

If you'd like the URL to the tutorial index, either PM me, or send an email (blaynescott[at]gmail[dot]com). It's a fantastic list of tutorials on TF customizing, and could really help improve your skills.

The forearms appear to be extended, as though his true hands are grasping large mechanical gauntlets. It is reminiscent of ultra magnus as a 'bot (white Prime) inside armor.