ah hah
reference object didn't work becuase it has to be applied prior to deformation(thus doesn't work on preblended surfaces such as heads)


new plan

did some tests with simple subdiv spheres

seems if i texture the base head first while in subdiv form, copy it,

reblend those new faces to my old, delete history,

convert alltogether into polys, relink the blends,
(or just blend before turning into polys)

reattach head to (pre painted) body,

so far, so good


my original mistake was painting the polys after attaching head. should have just painted body and head in subdiv form prior to even turning into polys..


now the next hurdle: how will this react to bones~?!