PAX Paint vs Flocking on Flexible TPU Puppet Head — Which Works Better?
I’m 3D printing a puppet head with foaming TPU from Siraya Tech, but because of filament availability I had to use black filament. Now I need to finish it in realistic human skin tones, and I’m unsure which approach would be more beginner-friendly while still giving professional-looking results.
The TPU surface is flexible, matte, and slightly porous, so I’m considering two finishing methods:
Option A : PAX Paint (Liquid Latex + Acrylic Paint)
How difficult is it to get solid coverage over black filament without applying the paint too thickly and losing surface detail?
Is there a flexible “white-out” primer or base coat that works well before applying skin tones?
Does the porous texture of foamed TPU help latex-based paint adhere better, or is peeling/cracking still a concern?
For someone new to this, is brush painting enough for a smooth skin finish, or is an airbrush basically required to avoid streaks?
Option B : Flocking
Is flocking generally easier than trying to paint and color-match realistic skin tones?
Since the filament behaves somewhat like foam, does flocking adhere better and fully conceal the black base color?
Which finish tends to last longer on a puppet that will be frequently handled and flexed: flocking or paint?
Can flocking achieve a wide range of believable, vibrant skin tones?
If you were starting as a beginner with a black flexible base material, which method would you recommend for the best balance between effort and final quality?
Thanks in advance for any advice or firsthand experience!