Friday, November 20, 2009

Washing Miniatures


Ever since I was a kid making Airfix and Tamiya kits I have washed my miniatures in warm soapy water before priming.  This is because a release agent similar to WD40 is applied to the mold which aids the frame/sprue to exit the mold easier, thats what my father told me.

However when giving this advice on forums I have always got slated by other members, saying that they have never washed a miniature and never had any problems.

Then today I find a post on the Games Workshop blog regarding a 40K gameboard.



I quote from the blog...

"All plastic models have a release agent applied to them during the casting process; this allows the frame to come out of the machine. The Gameboard is no different and Ray of the Warhammer World scenery team recommends washing the Gameboard sections with soapy water to get the residue off before painting."

Thank you Games Workshop!  And to all those on various forums who have slated my advice in the past "I told you so..."

Image used is courtesy of Games Workshop, used with out permission.

2 comments:

The Lord of Excess said...

I would never give someone a hard time for washing minis. I've had conversations with much better painters than I and most of them seem to wash their minis before priming ... and then they really work hard to not touch the minis after that. In addition to the release agent from the molds (and I've heard pewter and plastic its the same deal ... perhaps different chemicals ... but both processes involve mold release agents) oil on one's skin can effect the adherence and perhaps even appearance of paint on the model.

I used to wash my minis but I don't anymore ... yet I am not going for a high level of paint quality. I'm not a competition painter ... I paint pretty average table top standard. So that is why I feel justified skipping that step. If I was a competition level painter ... I'd be washing the minis, mounting them on cork or a paint pot, etc. etc. Sorry to ramble ... but I guess my point is that the techniques of a master painter .. vs. the techniques of a mass quantity average Joe painter might differ a bit on occasion.

Darth Weasel said...

Always good to be right and be vindicated.

Now, if only I could convince you to perform the task I desperately need...not to wash my models but assemble them...the washing I can handle (and thanks to your excellent trip will try) but the assembling I am afraid will always be beyond me.

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