I just finished dipping my first Tyranids (96 models - combination of Gaunts and Genestealers). Thought I would share my thoughts as a noob "dipper".

Background:

I always wanted a swarm army - but the biggest drawback was the time needed to paint them. Then the glorious dipping method came out. However, the typical dipping method was still too much work - it required either repeatedly flinging a model to get the dip off (or attaching each model to drill and spinning the dip off). I was too lazy for the first method and not technically skilled enough to juryrig my electric drill for the second method. So I had a major dilemma which stopped me from my dream of a Tyranid swarm army.

Then one day I was mixing a delicious glass of Ovaltine with my "Aerolatte Milk Frother" and had an idea.... So now I present "Mezmaron's Easy Dipping Method" for your enjoyment.

Materials:

1) Milk Frother (the "Spinner") - used to spin the models after dipping. I removed the rings on the end of it. No more making any delicious frothed beverages with this sucker!

2) Wax Paper - used to set dipped models upon to dry.

3) MinWax PolyShade - the dipping media.

4) Binder Clips - used to clip the model to the spinner.

5) Cardboard Box - used to spin the models within.

Method:

Basically, base, glue, and prime your model as normal. Remember to remove all molding lines (they show up even more once dipped). I painted each model very quickly, with simple colors. First, I primed all the models using GW White primer. Then I painted each model entirely in Vallejo Game Color "Bone White" (this was faster than selectively painting them). Then I added Vallejo Game Color "Gory Red" over the areas that needed it. The eyes were painted with a generic black, then dotted with Vallejo Game Color "Scorpy Green". For Citadel equivalents, I basically used Bleached Bone, Red Gore, and Scorpion Green (now out of print).

I added the "dots" on the Genestealers with a brown Sharpie Permanent Ultra Fine Tip marker. I found that was much faster than painting on the dots, (like 15 seconds each model)....

Once dry, simply clip the model's base to the spinner, dip the model in the PolyShade, then unclip the model and place on the waxed paper. All 96 models took about 80 minutes to dip. They took about 24 hours to completely dry.

Here are some pictures as an example of how I attached the models to the frother.

Before Pictures:

Here are the model prior to dipping.

Here is a sample Genestealer prior to dipping.

Here is a sample Gaunt prior to dipping.

After Pictures:

Here are the Genestealers after dipping.

Here are the Gaunts after dipping.

Here is the mess left after dipping - actually not too bad....

Hints and Tips:

1) Wear gloves! The PolyShade is hard to get off your hands - like tree sap.

2) Be a Cylon - have a plan (in case a model falls in the PolyShade can) - didn't happen to me luckily.

3) Dipping really shows molding lines, so be extra sure they are removed during assembly.

Next Steps:

I still need to base the models - that is next. The dipping was so easy, I am going to get even more Tyranids to dip....

I hope this was helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions about my method, or would like further information.