Painting advice?

[N.Pruiksma]

Hey everybody,

I was just wondering if anybody has any experience/tips on painting
"soft" plastic infantry models, namely Revell 1:72 scale WWII.
So far, I've had no trouble priming and painting them, but the paint
flakes off quite easily if the figures get scraped/bent slightly, etc...
As I will be using them for Crossfire, they will be handled frequently
so if anyone can give me any tips on how to give them a durable paint
finish, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance

Nick

[TLTuohy]

One trick is to wash them thoroughly and then coat them with something along
the lines of a *very* thinned-down white glue (I use Woodland Scenics scenery
adhesive) before you prime them. Some folks coat them again after they've been
painted.

LT

[Andy O'Neill]

In article <37D1C015...@home.com>, "N.Pruiksma"
<npru...@home.com> writes

>tips on painting
>"soft" plastic infantry

There's a firm, Protec.
If you undercoat with their clear undercoat and then varnish with their
varnish, then the paint is more likely to stay on.
The owner describes it as 'clingfilming' onto the figure.

Anyhow, my experiment seems to have proved successful.

Wash WELL in hot water and strong detergent first.

Andy O'Neill
www.l-25.demon.co.uk/index.htm
Liverpool Wargames Association
www.l-25.demon.co.uk/LWA.htm

[Tim DuPertuis]

"N.Pruiksma" wrote:

Not useful for everyone, but I have a cheap sandblaster that I use
sandblast (use 60 grit sand) the plastics before painting.
Sandblasting the minis on the sprue is best, but a "cage" made of aluminum
gutter screen can be used to hold loose minis while sandblasting.

Tim

--
Tim DuPertuis ARMORCAST and INQUISITOR
ti...@armorcast.com
PO Box 14485, Santa Rosa, CA 95402-6485
Voice/Fax 707 576-1619
Armorcast Web Site: http://armorcast.com
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[moses]

TLTuohy wrote in message <19990904212705...@ng-cm1.aol.com>...

I have heard this, and also heard using wood glue mixed in with your paint.
Water it down a lot!

Good luck!

Ian

>LT

[Robert Schoolfield]

N.Pruiksma wrote:
>
> Hey everybody,
>
> I was just wondering if anybody has any experience/tips on painting
> "soft" plastic infantry models, namely Revell 1:72 scale WWII.
> So far, I've had no trouble priming and painting them, but the paint
> flakes off quite easily if the figures get scraped/bent slightly, etc...

Don't use solvent based enamels. These will sometimes stick better at
first, but will flake off when the figure flexes.

Make sure you have all the flash trimming etc, done before you start.

Clean them with a strong household cleaner or automotive degreaser and
rinse in hot tap water. Elaborate soaking routines do no better than
this simple washing. I use Castrol "SuperClean".

Priming is required as washing alone doesn't solve the problem. I have
used two primers with success, depending on the nature of the plastic -
the new Airfix tends to be slicker. My preference is household latex
primer-sealer, dunk the fig in and brush the excess off, to allow all
the detail to show through. Make sure all areas are covered. Let dry
overnight.

Some plastics are too slick for this primer - it will just bead up.
Prime these by brushing artists' acryllics straight from the tube or
maybe thinned a little, depending on which one is used.

There is also a primer made just for these figures. It sticks no better
- in fact less permanently, is hard to brush on, and is expensive.

Some people use thinned PVA glue, but in my experience this stuff gets
brittle after a while.

Paint with acryllics that will remain flexble when dry - some do get a
little brittle when dry. I use artists' acryllics, Armory, and
Ceramcoat. Use an aryllic overcoat. I like Liquitex acryllic medium,
well thinned. Comes matt and gloss. Dries tough and flexible.

This will stand up to any reasonable handling.

Robert