As real as it gets— Combine high-end headsculpts with E. Lyle Kozak’s superbly intuitive hair-n-beard flocking and you get near-REALITY at 1:6 scale. Can this figure speak, too? WOW! (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak)
Get’cher Hair On!— We’ve talked about talented “flockers” in the worldwide 1:6 scale community before, from a Brazilian builder of an amazing one-of-a-kind, life-sized Falcon action figure (HERE) to a professional flocking business in the U.K. appropriately called “Flocktastic” (HERE), to gutsy, yet admitted “amateurs” in the U.S. who eschew expensive flocking devices and yet still manage to produce outstanding quality-flocked heads using only ordinary, non-electric supplies.
One such highly talented “amateur” flocker is Edward Lyle Kozak. Better known to his friends, family and fans online as E. Lyle Kozak, or simply Lyle, Mr. Kozak has taken the teachings of a VERY basic video tutorial provided by Bob “the Barber” Rodden (still found in the “tips-n-tricks” section of the Patches of Pride website HERE) and has elevated Rodden’s simple process to an astonishing level, creating amazing, 1:6 scale, facial-hair ART. Fortunately (for the subscribers and readers of The Joe Report), Mr. Kozak has kindly consented to provide us all today with an exclusive insight into his stunning “forays into flocking.” Take it away, Mr. K!
Edward Lyle Kozak, displays his unique “mini-me” Santa GIjOE, complete with matching Santa hat and (a tad-too-long) suit coat. (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak)
“Have ya ever thought about re-flocking an old GIjOE Adventure Team figure? Or giving your figure some unique new character? Me too! I grew up in the ’70s and ’80s and my fascination with GIjOE started when I was very young. My brother had many of the Adventure Team figures and accessories. I received a few of my own at the very end of the AT line. I was so obsessed with AT GIjOEs that for many years growing up, I thought you had to have a beard to be a soldier! From there, I went on to Super Joe and then on to the RAH line. My two favorite toys growing up were the Fisher Price Adventure People and the Adventure Team. For many years, I was buying and trading figures and always wanted to learn how to repair damaged or missing flocking on their heads. It would take me a LOT of research to find reliable references on how to flock a Joe and where to get the right materials (it’s easier now).”
Classic Adventure Teamers, RESTORED— There’s nothing cooler than giving new flocks to vintage A-Teamers from the 1970s. If these guys could speak, they’d probably scream out, “THANK YOU, Lyle! Thank you for restoring our thinning hairlines and making us YOUNG and VIRILE again!” We’d have to agree. That is SUPERB hair-restoring flocking work, Mr. K! (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak) Click to enlarge.
“After many late nights (and 12AM cups of coffee), one day, purely by chance, I was looking for some replacement AT decals for a recently acquired yellow ATV, and as I looked through the Patches of Pride (PoP) website, I found a link that said, “How to flock your heads in 10-15 minutes.” Wha..? After all my searching— FINALLY—there it was, right in front of me (see HERE). Other than all those great decals, and awesome and unique accessories, PoP also offers TONS of cool diorama and customizing tips and ideas.”
Fancy Foreign Facial Flocks— Lyle’s battlin’ Brits are now sporting some SERIOUSLY sassy whiskers. Blimey, Guv’nah. Long live the Queen! (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak) Click to enlarge.
“The process demonstrated on PoP’s website by Bob Rodden is a VERY basic way of flocking without spending a lot of money on an expensive electrostatic machine. Bob’s process works just fine and that is exactly how I’m doing all my heads now; with just a few minor changes to the process. Here are the specific changes I have implemented into the process that I learned from Bob and PoP.
- I pretreat the heads with a PVC pipe cleaner that removes oily residue from handling and helps to promote better glue adhesion (found at local retailers).
- I also found a good, affordable, and not-too-smelly adhesive that works great but can also be easily removed with rubbing alcohol.
- The first type of glue I use is Loctite GO2 Glue. This glue is a little thicker and spreads on nicely over the head and has a long enough pot life (dry time) to be able to cover the head and flock.
- The other glue I have recently started to use is Clear Gorilla Glue. This is a little thinner than the GO2 glue, but they both held up the same in dry testing and at holding the flock on.”
Flocking Adds Character— Hit the ice, Adventurers! (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak)
“In my search for flocking knowledge, I eventually found a wonderful company called “Just Flock It” that produces GIjOE-appropriate flocking in a multitude of colors and lengths—just PERFECT for any and all crazy customs that might come to mind (see their website HERE). I have to say too, the customer service and availability at Just Flock It is top-notch and I have never had a single issue with their products or service.”
Ho, Ho, HAIRY— With flocking projects, if you can THINK it, you can probably DO it. Lyle’s short-bearded “Santa Joe” is a perfect example. (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak)
“I’ve also found the Flock Concepts blog which has a ton of info on adhesives, fibers, flocking machines, and anything else you can think of re: flocking. The blog is run by Ray Cairo, a really cool guy who also flocks as a side business. He dyes and cuts most of his own flock and has mastered how to mix colors to get correct blends that match vintage figures. HERE‘s the link to Ray’s blog.”
Artistic Hair Design— Lyle’s expert mixture of gray and black flocking impart a distinctive look and “age” to this “angry” AA headsculpt. (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak)
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- Grizzled Greatness— Varied follicle heights and subtle color differentiations combine to imbue this custom head with a WORLD of personality. AMAZING work, Lyle! (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak)
“A few more things to keep in mind when you’re flocking:
- Don’t rush it, take your time, practice, and it will become easier.
- The straight colors are ok, but mixing them makes them really POP!
- It doesn’t take very much glue or a lot of flock to cover one (1) head.
- Once you learn the basics, the possibilities are endless!
For more information, please visit my flocking page on Facebook HERE. Enjoy!”
EE-YUCK! Adding flocking to this “Walking Dead” headsculpt has made it almost TOO real to look at. Wow. VERY CREEPY, Mr. K! (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak)
Goin’ Gray? This Sea Adventurer looks like the man in charge. His encroaching gray provides distinction as well as “aging” him beyond his blonder subordinates. THIS IS A MASTERPIECE of 1:6 scale flocking. Just look at that face! (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak)
Redheads RULE!— This tough guy looks like someone you’d want “watching your back” whenever you got in a tough scrape. Lyle’s perfectly blended redhead coloration goes superbly with his eye and eyebrow colors. (Photo: E. Lyle Kozak)
Bottom Line: Customizers such as Mr. Rodden and Mr. Kozak are truly inspirations to us all. Their ventures into the fantastical world of flocking continues to reveal to us that—with very little expense and (a little) trial and effort—all our customizing “dreams” really CAN come true. Keep up the great work, guys. An especially big THANK YOU too, to Mr. Kozak, for sharing all of his flocking intel with us today. You are the MAN, sir!