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So what do you guys and girls prefer.

Take into account preparing, priming, painting and converting.


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I bring this up as i have just recieved a model and it was made of resin, something of which i've never come across.

I first noticed it's a quite brittle material and the normal GW are considerably softer in comparison. Do you have to pay more attention and be more carefull when cutting into, shaving away material or cleaning or converting?

I haven't painted anything made from plastic for years so my obvious preference is metal. However, i hate preparing metal minis (the ones i have done so far which equate to 4 models lol). As im in the process of cleaning and preparing the resin model, i've noticed that there is a lot more to remove although it is easier. Bare in mind i've only seen and held one resin mini so it may not be like this for everyone.

The mini im talking about isn't a GW one either so im sure every company goes about their minis differently.


I know to wash and polish for white metal minis and to was plastic models but, Is this the same for resin minis? Obviously i can't polish it but should i still use warm soapy water for resin models or something else.

So yeah, bit of a discussion topic.




Slappy

I have read that the resin dust is bad for your lungs.

Also i think that resin can be both hard and soft.

It depends on the model type. I generally prefer working with plastic but metal swords and weapons can be fun since it took all of two seconds to give my sergeant a curved sabre instead of a boring Imperial meat cleaver.

I think all three have their strengths and weaknesses.

Paint seems to stick to plastic better. I rarely need to repair chips on plastic models.

I like the depth and sharpness of detail you get one metal and resin models though - plastic is catching up though.

While not technically the medium itself, resin lends itself to small-run high-quality stuff. I like most of the resin stuff available (FW and others).

Plastic is wonderful for conversion. Metal kitbashing can be done but it requires more work, and generally, power tools.

Plastic FTW

I prefer metal to paint, not sure why, the extra prep work doesn't bother me.

On the other hand the amount of time I've spent repairing chips I can see why people prefer plastic.

Redbeard wrote:I think all three have their strengths and weaknesses.

Paint seems to stick to plastic better. I rarely need to repair chips on plastic models.

I like the depth and sharpness of detail you get one metal and resin models though - plastic is catching up though.

While not technically the medium itself, resin lends itself to small-run high-quality stuff. I like most of the resin stuff available (FW and others).

Plastic is wonderful for conversion. Metal kitbashing can be done but it requires more work, and generally, power tools.

Redbeard summed it up wonderfully. I will add that no matter what the mini is made from, they really should be washed up prior to priming. This is especially true with resin where a high amount of release agent is used in the molds, but plastic models can also benefit from a soak in soapy water and metal minis will hold primer better if soaked and scrubbed in vinegar (then rinsed and dried of course) before priming.

I hadn't heard about vinegar before. How long do you want to give them? I'd worry that the acid in the vinegar could cause pitting in metals.

I've never washed plastic miniatures, and have had no problem with paint not sticking. I have had lots of trouble with resin, because of its brittleness, and all of my modeling injuries I blame on metal miniatures. However, if resin can be made so it's not brittle, that would be ideal.

Redbeard wrote:I hadn't heard about vinegar before. How long do you want to give them? I'd worry that the acid in the vinegar could cause pitting in metals.

The vinegar actually helps by taking off any oxidation as well as any mold release or oils from your hands from handling. Not that you have oily hands per se, but we all have natural oils that can affect the way primer sticks. I've gone as long as overnight before, but I don't know if the vinegar could pit the minis if left longer. Like I say, you're just trying to get rid of surface level oxidation and such.

i prefer resin minis, hands down...
the sheer difference in fine detail means that a resin mini makes for a much better canvas...

that said, they have to be well cast...
Forgeworld has a real problem with quality control, but the sculpts themsleves are a step up from the metal and plastics...

my favorites so far are the wonderful resins from the now defunct company Ilyad, and the new Studio Mcvey minis...

i'm a much bigger fan of sci-fi than fantasy, so Forgeworld will always be on the top of my list, even if their minis are usually hell to prep...

cheers
jah

Depends on the model and who it is made by.

Metal for minis. Why? If I'm paying prices that are based off the current metal market prices for gold - they had better BE gold. Plastic ruins the illusion.

Resin for some kits as long as it isn't FW casting it. Why is it that every other producer can make long pieces that don't warp, or can do pieces of a consistent size but not FW?

Plastic for tanks/aircraft though.

Plastic. It paints up well, is easy to work with and doesn't end up with the arms falling off as soon as you look at it.