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Metal.vs. Plastic models


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I don't know about you lot but I'm finding metal models a pain to jeep the pair areas looking smooth: even though im thinning my paints out as much as undo when I paint plastic models, do the metal models need to be heated up atall? A different approach to painting them?

 

Any tips/ideas and comments/opinions are all welcome

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First up: I have a very hard time following what you're trying to say … Maybe it would be a good idea to re-read your message before posting? :unsure:

 

That said, you should not really experience much difference in painting metal figures than plastic ones, at least not after you've applied a base coat or a layer of primer to them.

I've never had a problem with paiting metal models, and never noticed a difference between them and plastic. Be careful that you aren't over scrutinising your work. It's easy to always notice flaws and mistakes in your own work that aren't actually that obvious really.
I tend to prefer plastic for better customization, and I also tend to to forget to wash metal models when i get them, which means that so far i've had to rebase every metal model I've got because the first base coat flakes off. Other than that, the painting seemed more or less the same.

I prefer plastic over metal for the same reasons Arikel said.

 

But metal really shouldnt be more difficult if you clean up and prime before painting.

If you do those things and still have more trouble, either check your paint, or look if your priming technique has room for improvement.

I love the detail some metal miniatures come with. Plastic is coming up, but... just not quite there yet, especially in layers of detail.

 

If I could get metal models with the multi-partness of plastics I'd be in heaven. It's why Forge World's stuff is so awesome IMHO, greater detail and multi-part.

I love the detail some metal miniatures come with. Plastic is coming up, but... just not quite there yet, especially in layers of detail.

 

+1. Metal model are greatly detailed, but completely lack customization. Plastic, on the other hand, is much more customizable, but if you want to make your models look like metal ones, you'll have to add additional decorative elements. In terms of painting, I can't see the difference - just make sure you apply a sufficient layer of undercoating on your metal models.

Almost any miniature (be it GW plastic or metal, FW resin or another manufacturers) can have some residual mould release agent on it when you get it. It's highly recommended that you give mini's a wash before beginining to work on them so as to remove this residue as it can and will cause your paint to flake off.

 

For more information you could do worse than to check this article out...

 

James

For what it's worth, I have yet to wash even one of the plastic models I have worked with. They all assembled and painted just fine, so those don't seem to suffer from any release agent residue issues. I do have to wash the metal ones, or I can't even get the super glue to stick to them.
I must say, in 9 years of Warhammer, and countless years of Airfix before that, I have never washed plastic or metal models (though I do wash FW resin) and I have never had an issue with paint flaking off, apart from when I have dropped and chipped metal models.
I don't wash models, either. I scrub metal ones with a copper-wire brush and, after assembly, apply a coat of primer to them as well as to resin models, but that's it; I don't prime all-plastic models because I have never seen the need — paint adheres very well to them without.
Wow James that article is very very good indeed....Thanks to everyone that commented and lent their views/opinions.

 

Rob

 

No problem mate, good luck with your future projects :)

 

For what it's worth, I have yet to wash even one of the plastic models I have worked with. They all assembled and painted just fine, so those don't seem to suffer from any release agent residue issues. I do have to wash the metal ones, or I can't even get the super glue to stick to them.

 

I must say, in 9 years of Warhammer, and countless years of Airfix before that, I have never washed plastic or metal models (though I do wash FW resin) and I have never had an issue with paint flaking off, apart from when I have dropped and chipped metal models.

 

As I said in my original post any mini's can have mould release agent on them. You're right plastic does have less of an issue, but I personally have had a couple of problems with GW plastics in the past.

 

I don't prime all-plastic models because I have never seen the need — paint adheres very well to them with out.

 

This is personal choice of course, but if it works for you then it works for you :). Personally I prefer to undercoat, I find that I achieve much more consistent colours and smoother finishes (which is not to say that you don't, this is just my personal preference). As for the washing, I don't often use plastic mini's just now, but when I do I usually wash them, just to be on the safe side....

 

 

 

James

As I said in my original post any mini's can have mould release agent on them. You're right plastic does have less of an issue, but I personally have had a couple of problems with GW plastics in the past.

 

I don't doubt it at all, I just wanted to note that my personal experience has been very successful. I do recognize that there could still be issues sometimes, of course.

A lot of people come out and say you'll be fine not washing they models as prep, or that they never do and their models turn out fine.

While it's certainly true that you can get away not washing, and most of the time it wont matter much as most of the grease is on a small amount of sprues per production run.. but really, think about it this way.. For all the money you spend on the models, and all the time you put into painting them and wanting it to look good, why take chances? Especially when it's no effort, doesnt cost anything, takes you 5 minutes of work tops, and cant hurt the results.

I've had a few metal mishaps myself. My Emperor's Champion in particular has a bit of a gritty looking finish that is not present on my plastic models. Upon looking further into things, I found an article (no idea where, sorry for lack of link) which explained the benefit of thoroughly washing and even buffing/smoothing the metal with fine grade sand paper or metal brushing. I've never had any issue with plastics though (aside from gritty white undercoating, but that's the primer's fault, not the mini's).
I don't know about you lot but I'm finding metal models a pain to jeep the pair areas looking smooth: even though im thinning my paints out as much as undo when I paint plastic models, do the metal models need to be heated up atall? A different approach to painting them?

 

Any tips/ideas and comments/opinions are all welcome

 

I'm sorry mate, I'm afraid I'm not quite getting your banter.

Over the years I've noticed that sharp pointed edges of metal models will chip their paint if not painted and varnished properly. Over all I prefer plastic over metal because plastic models are more forgiving when storing them loosely or handling them on the game table.

 

-Dan

Plastic models don't necessarily need washing because if you use gw spray paints, you'll note they contain some acetone, which actually bonds with the plastic and is one reason some primers are hard to take off plastic kits. Acetone in the form of nail polish remover can be used to remove paint from models, but is not recommended for plastics because it can melt the models.

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