The Warhammer Models Thread III: A Brush With Death

[dsmiles]

I usually use Krylon satin finish varnish, but for primers, I dunno. I use a Rustoleum primer that works great on metal minis; my plastic/resin minis are few and far between, so I usually just prime them with whatever I have on hand.

[evisiron]

I got some plastic models a while back second hand, and am now planning to repaint them. However, I've noticed there seems to be a layer of varnish on them.
Am I likely to face trouble painting over it, and if so, how can I fix it?

[Turcano]

I got some plastic models a while back second hand, and am now planning to repaint them. However, I've noticed there seems to be a layer of varnish on them.
Am I likely to face trouble painting over it, and if so, how can I fix it?

Yes, and strip it in Simple Green.

[evisiron]

Yes, and strip it in Simple Green.

Just to check, Simple Green won't ruin plastic models?

[Turcano]

No, it doesn't. I've left models soaking in Simple Green for weeks at a time with no ill effects. It does make pewter oxidize, though.

[Penguinizer]

What should those of us not blessed with simple green do? I've tried a bunch of things up to oven cleaner largely unsuccesfully. The oven cleaner got some of the paint of but not nearly all of it.

[dsmiles]

I've heard you can order Simple Green online.

I've also heard good things about brake cleaner, but I'm not sure how it'll work on plastics.

Pine-Sol? I'm not sure about plastics, but it works on metals, without oxidizing them.

Pure acetone is good for metal minis, but you have to wear gloves, goggles, and a rebreather if you're working indoors, and DO NOT use it on plastics. It'll chew through them in about an hour.

I really don't know...Simple Green is the only thing I use.

[Penguinizer]

How about ammonia? My dad uses it for cleaning coins if I recall. I know it's some nasty stuff but I have no clue if it'll take off paint.

[Ninja Chocobo]

Alternatives to Simple Green: LA's Totally Awesome, Fairy Power Spray, and Dettol all work I've heard, to a varying degree of 'work'.

[Justyn]

Maybe I'm just weird, but I just use rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush. :/

[Gryffon]

Castrol Superclean is an engine degreaser, and it works well at stripping, it will also debond superglue. No ill effect on plastic minis. Not sure about metal.

[CreganTur]

Brake fluid was the old standby back in the day, but it will chew through plastic minis if you leave them sitting too long. Bast to be safe and use something a bit milder.

I used to use window cleaner (windex) before I discovered Simple Green. Took a longer soak to get all the paint off, sometime with a good toothbrush scrub between soaks, but it works.

[HalfTangible]

I'm considering using death company bits (the normally red bits colored Hawk Turquoise) to mark sergeants for my Eclipse Hounds Chapter, and marking DC with splotches of red paint. I'm definitely gonna use the DC bits I already have to give my assault squad a meltagun, i figured why not go one step further.

Does this sound like a good/interesting idea to anyone else?

[CreganTur]

The Valkyrie is finished and looking good, if a bit weathered.

CMON voting link

It's available for sale on ebay

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I'm also selling off my set of Grey Knight Terminators

and my weathered Ultramarine Dreadnaught

[Gruffard]

Neat looking. I like. Too bad I don't play any of the Imperium forces.

[dsmiles]

Finishing up the pics of what's painted:
Bull Snapper #3:

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Golden Poison Dart Frog (Croak Hunter #2):

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Vanguard #2:

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Captain Phineus Shae (Redux):

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Order of the Amethyst Rose (Arcane Tempest Gun Mages):

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Looks like time is at a premium again. More later.

[Gruffard]

Nice dsmiles. The only thing I point out is... Well it might be the lightning, but the Yellow Frog guy and his armour seem to clash a little with his bright green armour. I like the frog overall, but that bothers me for some reason

[Penguinizer]

I decided that I'd sculpt a second Daemon Prince in addition to the one I had in the original CSM army post. I've only gotten started on the base so far.

In departure from the style of the first one, I decided to try a flame demon type look. I'd like to know if the flames I've done for the base look ok. It's my first time sculpting flames so I'd like some pointers.

I used strands of green stuff that I then picked at with a toothpick to get the effect.

Here are the pictures.

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EDIT: I decided to finish the model. It's a bit short but I like the way it looks.

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[Zorg]

Finishing up the pics of what's painted:

They look good - adding the pupils really helps on them (and I don't know if it's the pics or not but the blue eyes show up better here than before).

Only criticism is that they could stand to do with more shading - the Croak and Gun Mages especially.
You've got the highlighting going, but the mages coats look flat with peaks, rather than wavey. Similarly the Croak's face is very bland, and his mouth doesn't stand out at all. A light wash would jump them up a notch I think

[Eldan]

For my next project, I think I'd like to build some Jezzails. Imperial Handgunners seem a classic, and they work for me.

However, I also want Pavise carriers with them, and here's where I need help:

I need the largest possible shields without any un-skaven-like decorations on them.

Any help?

[Jair Barik]

I am working on similar conversions Eldan. For mine I use a converted handgunner for the gunner and for the pavise I just use a regular skaven with a shield (facing forwards) and a second shield on the arm that normally holds a weapon.

[Eldan]

Hmm. Two shields might actually work, yeah... two triangular ones, one on top of the other. or get some plastic card, cut my own.

[Jair Barik]

That was my thought. It was largely inspired by this privateer press model but also the idea of the roman shield formations. I'm also tempted to do dioramas involving single gunners hiding behind walls or barrells with their guns resting on top to give the appearance of them bunkering down inside a building or behind cover.

[Eldan]

If my Mordheim game goes on as it has so far, I'll soon try to buy a hochland rifle, then convert the single jezzail model I have into an Eshin gunner. That should look a bit like that.

[dsmiles]

I've got a few minutes, so I thought I'd post a few more pics of things I've done over the past couple of months.

Boomhowler Trollkin #2:

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I tried something different with his skin, I hope it worked out ok.



I also haven't quite figured out how to do a tartan plaid.

Blackhide Wrastler #2:

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Magnus the Warlord:

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Still more to come...The Ragman, Thor Steinhammer, a couple of Grundbacks, Fiona, and a few random minis I painted for my kids this summer.

[Ogremindes]

I've got a few minutes, so I thought I'd post a few more pics of things I've done over the past couple of months.
...

Do you use washes much? Like you, I tend to layer on some harsh highlights, but after that I use a wash to tie them all together.

[dsmiles]

Depends on the look I'm going for. Trollkin scattergunner up there, he got shaded and highlighted then a wash with Asurmen Blue. Magnus' cloth was washed (3 times: purple, red, purple again) then highlighted.

On that note, more:
Thor Steinhammer:

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His eyes got kind of derpy here.

Alten Ashley:

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The Ragman:

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Fiona the Black:

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Goatbarian:

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Tongue-Demon-Thingy:

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I-Seem-To-Recognize-This-Guy-But-Can't-Seem-To-Place-Him:

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Purple-Demon-Chick:

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Random Skeleton #1:

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Random Devil-Guy:

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Sobek (I think):

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Note To Self: Bronzed Flesh? Not really a good flesh tone.

Rattlesnake-Worm-Thingy:

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I believe this thing is missing its lower jaw. S'okay, though, it was free.

Wolfguy the Barbarian:

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Random Skeleton #2:

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This is my first attempt at making something glow.

Ninja:

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Lizardman Archer:

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I still have four Grundbacks, but I need to take new photos of them. I added some detail.

[CreganTur]

After a little longer wait than I intended, the Gear Slave has been completed and is ready for preorder purchase.



Hoping to lead a normal life again, he participated in an experiment that aimed to give him mental control over his prosthetics. The Autonimus was the result of the project, and was thought to be a success, but he began to fall into fits of mania and rage until all the humanity was burned out of him, turning him into a strong and ferocious monster.

The Gear Slave was sculpted by Ian Mountain, who did an excellent job translating my designs. It is in 28mm scale and the kit contains 3 parts: body, left arm, and base. All the parts will be cast in white metal.

I admit that I forgot to specify base in the original sculpting order. I sculpted a scrap yard inspired 25mm round base that will also be cast in white metal.



He is currently available for preorder at Stone Tower Miniatures for $15. This preorder run is limited to 200 castings and includes the miniature kit and a numbered 4” x 6” miniature copy of the concept artwork. The miniature will still be available for sale after the preorder period ends, but the concept artwork will not.
Please visit the website to see more pictures of the Gear Slave.

On a related note, WAMP just published a review of the Squire and has awarded it a silver medal. Check out the review to see what they had to say, the stop by the store to pick up your own copy!

[dsmiles]

I admit that I forgot to specify base in the original sculpting order. I sculpted a scrap yard inspired 25mm round base that will also be cast in white metal.

Admittedly, I'm not as interested in the Gear Slave as I am the base. Will Stone Tower be selling just bases? (BTW, I'm saving up for the Squire. With my kids here, my mini-money all went towards food.)

[HalfTangible]

Should I go the realistic route and make my space marine carry his meltagun with both hands...

Or the badass route and have him wield it one-handed with a chainsword