Resin fursuit claw guide

Although this guide is specifically tailored for Portly Possum parts, the information may still be useful for other brands of resin parts. Just make sure to double-check with the manufacturer first to avoid any potential mishaps. 

Safety first!
Please remember to use appropriate safety equipment and work in a well-ventilated area or use a proper respirator, especially if you're working with paints, primers, glues, or other hazardous supplies.

Preparation
Before installing or modifying your resin fursuit claws, it is recommended to wash them with hot, soapy water to remove any residual mold release. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth to gently scrub them and let them air dry completely.

Installation
If you are happy with the current colour and don’t intend to paint or modify them, claws can be installed as-is. The easiest way is to cut a slit in the fabric, apply some glue to the base and push it through. Begin by piercing a small hole in the fabric and gradually enlarge it as necessary using the claws, which will gently stretch the material. I recommend a quick drying gel-based super glue such as ‘LePage Ultra Gel Control Super Glue’. Before applying glue, perform a dry fitting to make sure it fits well and looks good.

​Another option is to install them within a seam by leaving a small gap in the sewing. It's important to back stitch at the start and end of the gap. 

Alternatively, you can remove the base entirely, put some glue on the end, and press it into the fursuit. However, this method is not as durable, and you may lose some claws over time if you are not gentle.

Modification
Resin parts can be sanded, carved or dremeled if needed. It's best to do this outside or somewhere you can safely contain the dust, and wear a face mask. If you need to shorten, hollow out, or completely remove the base, make sure to wash them again afterward to remove any dust.

If you want to add onto the existing claw, you can use any air-drying sculpting compound. Do not use a compound that requires baking such as 'Sculpey', as heat may damage the original resin and potentially release harmful vapors. 'Fixit Sculpt Epoxy Clay' is preferred.

Painting
When painting resin claws, you can use artist-grade acrylics (such as Golden), good-quality model paints (Vallejo), or any spray paint designed for plastics. Using cheaper paints will require many more layers and may result in rubbing off the first coats. Additionally, cheap paints do not tend to be color-fast, and your beautiful paint job could end up turning muddy greys and browns. If you are doing a complex paint job or changing the base color drastically, use a coat of plastic primer first.

Useful Products
Some useful products to have on hand include 
LePage Ultra Gel Control Super Glue 
E6000 Craft Adhesive 
Apoxie® Sculpt
Krylon Colormaster™ White Primer 
Golden Heavy Body Acrylic 
Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear 
You can find most of these products at local arts and crafts stores, hobby shops, or home improvement centers. Most products designed for plastic minatures will work well, a local hobby shop is a great resource for paints, primers, glues and sealants.