How should I clean and maintain lead miniatures?
Mike Caudill
but not to games. I recently acquired a copy of the game Full Metal
Planete, which contains miniatures apparently made of lead. These were
originally a bright silver, but are now primarily, but not entirely,
covered with an ugly dark gray tarnish. I have posted at
rec.games.board for suggestions about cleaning, but thought I should
ask the experts, so now I am posting here. How can I clean them
safely? (Please note that the game is somewhat valuable, so I don't
want to do anything that might damage them, and I want to maintain
them so that no further damage is done. I am not, however, concerned,
as one would be with antiques, that if is restored the value may be
lowered.) After cleaning, will they simply oxidize again, making
cleaning futile? Will painting them help? If so, with what type of
paint, and should there be some sort of undercoat between the lead and
the paint? How about just applying a clearcoat after cleaning? If so,
what kind? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Robert Singers
> First let me start by saying I am a complete stranger to miniatures,
> but not to games. I recently acquired a copy of the game Full Metal
> Planete, which contains miniatures apparently made of lead. These were
> originally a bright silver, but are now primarily, but not entirely,
> covered with an ugly dark gray tarnish.
They won't be completely lead but the coating will be lead oxide. To
remove it simply soak them in white vinegar.
> I have posted at rec.games.board for suggestions about cleaning, but
> thought I should ask the experts, so now I am posting here. How can I
> clean them safely? (Please note that the game is somewhat valuable, so
> I don't want to do anything that might damage them, and I want to
> maintain them so that no further damage is done. I am not, however,
> concerned, as one would be with antiques, that if is restored the
> value may be lowered.) After cleaning, will they simply oxidize again,
> making cleaning futile?
Yes they'll oxidise again.
> Will painting them help?
Yes it will.
> If so, with what type of paint, and should there be some sort of
> undercoat between the lead and the paint?
You should always prime miniatures before painting. A primer gives more
"tooth" for the paint to stick to. Many people use general purpose metal
primer got from hardware stores and others use model primer got from
Hobby shops. Personally I use Tamiya Fine Grey Primer. Most of us use
acrylic model paints or artists paints. Depends where you are, what you
can get, and the price.
> How about just applying a clearcoat after cleaning? If
> so, what kind? Any help is greatly appreciated.
You could just clean them and then apply several coats of a gloss varnish
but painting them makes them look nicer :-)
Reaper minis has a good basic painting guide.
http://www.reapermini.com/painting/index.php
Foundry have a series of painting guides for their minis written by Kevin
Dallimore. http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/paintguide/index.asp
Of course there's also trusty old Dr Faust.
http://www.paintingclinic.com/
Justin Taylor
with a sealant (paint or varnish).
Try this
http://www.xmission.com/~macgill/reference/preservation.html
--
Justin Taylor
Veni Vidi Vici
Quality Transfers
http://www.3vwargames.co.uk
snh9728
enhance their appearance. Worth considering.
Steve H
Justin Taylor
Ray Trochim
Mike, there are several ways to clean lead figures, but try using this
product called Tarnex(sp?). Works great on copper and silver and it
doesn't damage. I haven't tried it on lead, so I don't know. Vinegar
should chemically help clean the figs. After they are clean, they will
oxidize again. But spaying them with either a flat or gloss clear
finish will prevent them from oxidizing again. However, I recommend
painting them. Lots more work, but a simple base color and then
dry-brush in a dust color (light tan) would look better than plain lead.