by The_Cryptid_Person » Sun Aug 04, 2019 2:18 am
First off, welcome to Seibertron! If you want to share your Joe customs, there are probably other fans here who would want to see them. Now to address your points.
Can't really help with the shapeways issue, but...
In my experience, Acrylic paints work just fine for transformers. So do enamels, and spray paints that adhere to plastic, such as Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch. I've never experimented with automotive or oil paints, it's possible they could fail to adhere, damage the plastic, etc. I've had luck with a krylon brand matte clear coat can for sealing, as well as pledge floor polish (which is glossy, but don't scratch or sniff it). If you want the transformers to feel more mechanical, use metallic paints. Both the Rust-Oleum spray cans I use for base coats and the craft acrylics I detail with have plenty of metallic options.
I'm sure there are great painters out there to help with this but this forum is mostly amateurs like myself and pretty geographically scattered. I'm sure you could find professionals with all sorts of methods and experience if you look elsewhere.
Based on your post, it looks like money isn't an issue or you don't know how expensive serious custom jobs can get? Heck, just purchasing a shapeways product with a decent finish is too pricey for me. If you find someone willing to paint the figures, you'll not only have to pay for their labor but probably for shipping the transformers to and from them. Between that and shapeways you could easily be over $100 in on each of the four seekers. And that's if you already have the figures!