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These are going to be my final question regarding paints and tools to start this hobby. I have research a lot before I ask these questions.


I just want to say thanks beforehand to those who have help me before and appreciated all reply.


Three things I'm looking for is as follow: What are the equilvalent to these GW tools (list below), where can I buy them from (home depot, hobby store, craft store, etc...), and do I actually need them?

With those in mind here is a list of things I am planning to buy as well as some more indept question.

Lastly if there is any tools you think I need or WANT but didn't list please let me know.


1. Are hobby knife the same as Exacto Knife?

2. Hobby Knife remove mold line and flash, then what does modeling files do? I have a set of modeling files from GW, do I need a Hobby or Exacto Knife as well?

3. I need both plastic and super glue for metal and plastic, is that correct? If so, can I buy any superglue at walmart or does it have to be a certain kind?

4. PVA Glue (just tell me if I need it or not) (for basing) (I am basing 100%) are they the same as woodworking glue?

5. Paint color: red, blue, yellow, white, black, flesh, brown, silver, and gold (I'll buy secondary color later, purple, orange, green if mixing paints get tiring). Is silver and gold metallic color or are those different colors? GW, Reaper Master Series, Coat D'Arms, or Vallejo game color? What brand makes the best washes and metallic, do they also have foundation (or does only GW have it).

6. Are clippers the same as Cutter? (For cutting the parts of the sprue)

7. Can any paint become a wash (add water to the paint) or do you actually have to buy a wash paint? If so I only need one wash ( a darker color of the basecoat) is that correct? Are washes ink? Does GW line of washes make the best washes?

8. I know what foundation paint is (is ultramarine blue foundation paint or regular paint) but is there any differences between that and regular paint? Why do you need foundation paint if you already primer your model? Let say I plan on painting the Tau a blue color so after my white or black primer, then I just need a blue color as my foundation color right? But can't I also do a regular paint as a foundation as well? I'm really confuse about those two kind of paints. Also if I decided to paint the Tau a white color, do I paint white over white primer, or do I leave it as white primer?

9. What are varnish use for? Are varnish only use when you wash and drybrush or do any other kind of highlight? If I don't do wash or drybrush do I need varnish? Is varnish a must if I plan on doing wash and drybrush? If I use regular color I don't need varnish right? Is GW varnish good for the price, any other recommendation?

10. GW list these paint brushes (do I need them all and if not where can I buy the same type of brush from other stores, e.g. 4 flat brushes, what are the name)
Citadel fine detail brush, detail brush, standard brush, basecoat brush, large brush, wash brush, small drybrush, median drybrush, large drybrush, stippling brush (do I need all of these, and what are they call in other store)? This is very IMPORTANT to me, thanks

11. I have a black citadel primer, do I need a white one as well?

12. Artist's palette (do i need it)?

13. What does it mean to highlight?

14. Do you also prime scenery and building like miniatures or do you just drybrush it?

15. How do you thin out your paint and how do you know when to thin out your paint?

16. What is airbrushing, do I need to airbrush, what does it do?

Thanks

1. Hobby knife is an X-acto, yes.

2. Files are good for removing mold lines, especially on metal models. You can get by without one though.

3. Just superglue is fine. I use Zap a Gap. CA+ superglue like that is what you want.

4. PVA glue is different from wood glue from what I can tell. It's also different from Elmer's glue. It's used for basing.

5. Only GW has foundations from what I know, and their washes are awesome.

6. I've never heard them referred to as cutters, but I guess.

7. Washes are not ink - they are super thinned down paint. Something like 10:1 ratio of water to paint. GW ones are awesome.

8. Foundation paint just has a thicker pigment. It means lighter colors can cover darker colors easier. For instance, the yellow Foundation goes over black in one coat, while it could normally take up to a dozen or more coats of yellow to cover black. Do not use them to prime though. You can use primer as a base color, like in your white example.

9. Varnishes aren't needed unless you're doing metal models. I don't use them, although I probably should on my metals.

10. Any brushes will do. Just get brushes of equivalent size from anywhere else.

11. Only if you want to prime in white. Krylon makes spray that's just as good for much, much cheaper though.

12. You don't need one unless you're mixing colors a lot.

13. Highlights are catching the edges of models to simulate lighting. For instance, I'd highlight the edges on a blue Space Marine with a slightly lighter blue. You need a thin brush and a steady hand to do this well though.

14. You should prime scenery as well - if you don't prime, paint won't stick!

15. You can just add a few drops to a pot of paint, shake it around for a minute, and you're good. Alternately, you can use a rather wet brush while painting.

16. Airbrushes are pressure-fed painting devices. They function similarly to spraypaint, but you can load in whatever color you want. They are not for priming. You don't need one, but it might be nice to have one for when you paint vehicles. You can get very smooth results with one.


Hope that helps! Hell of a lot of questions, but I'm hoping I answered them well enough

1. Are hobby knife the same as Exacto Knife? These are the same thing.

2. Hobby Knife remove mold line and flash, then what does modeling files do? I have a set of modeling files from GW, do I need a Hobby or Exacto Knife as well? You can remove mold lines with both, sometimes it is easier to use one over the other

3. I need both plastic and super glue for metal and plastic, is that correct? If so, can I buy any superglue at walmart or does it have to be a certain kind? Just useing plain superglue is fine. I would recommend sticking with a gel, I use either Gorilla Super Glue or Locktite Super Glue.

4. PVA Glue (just tell me if I need it or not) (for basing) (I am basing 100%) are they the same as woodworking glue? PVA glue is the same thing as elmers white glue, if your going to flock and then paint and drybrush your base you can probably get away with useing wood glue. If your going to just use grazel you really need something that dries clear.

5. Paint color: red, blue, yellow, white, black, flesh, brown, silver, and gold (I'll buy secondary color later, purple, orange, green if mixing paints get tiring). Is silver and gold metallic color or are those different colors? GW, Reaper Master Series, Coat D'Arms, or Vallejo game color? What brand makes the best washes and metallic, do they also have foundation (or does only GW have it). Any of your metallic paints are going to be metallics, i.e. gold and silver. I have the best luck with GW metallics, but I use Reaper Master series for everything else. I make my own washes useing Reaper paint and water. Foundation paints are a GW thing, it just meens that they have more pigmant.

6. Are clippers the same as Cutter? (For cutting the parts of the sprue) Yes they are

7. Can any paint become a wash (add water to the paint) or do you actually have to buy a wash paint? If so I only need one wash ( a darker color of the basecoat) is that correct? Are washes ink? Does GW line of washes make the best washes? [u]My washes are always made useing a paint that is a shade darker then the my base coat color. GW washers are good but the color range is very limited.[/i]

8. I know what foundation paint is (is ultramarine blue foundation paint or regular paint) but is there any differences between that and regular paint? Why do you need foundation paint if you already primer your model? Let say I plan on painting the Tau a blue color so after my white or black primer, then I just need a blue color as my foundation color right? But can't I also do a regular paint as a foundation as well? I'm really confuse about those two kind of paints. Also if I decided to paint the Tau a white color, do I paint white over white primer, or do I leave it as white primer? Foundation paints are just thicker, you can use any color paint for your basecoat.

9. What are varnish use for? Are varnish only use when you wash and drybrush or do any other kind of highlight? If I don't do wash or drybrush do I need varnish? Is varnish a must if I plan on doing wash and drybrush? If I use regular color I don't need varnish right? Is GW varnish good for the price, any other recommendation? Varnishing helps to protect your model from chipping, the average varnish is alot tougher then the average paint. Its also a great way to control the luster of your model, useing matte, flat or gloss varnishes.

10. GW list these paint brushes (do I need them all and if not where can I buy the same type of brush from other stores, e.g. 4 flat brushes, what are the name)
Citadel fine detail brush, detail brush, standard brush, basecoat brush, large brush, wash brush, small drybrush, median drybrush, large drybrush, stippling brush (do I need all of these, and what are they call in other store)? This is very IMPORTANT to me, thanks The only GW brushes that I use are the dry brush brushes, they are some of the best drybrush brushes I have found, my other brushes though are an assortment I've picked up over the years.

11. I have a black citadel primer, do I need a white one as well? It really depends on how you want the model to come out. The general rule I follow, if you want your model to look darker, use black, if your going for a lighter model or useing alot of lighter colors, go white. If you want a more natural looking model, start whith gray. GW spray primers are very over priced, there are alot of alternitives out there, my personal favorite is Armory.

12. Artist's palette (do i need it)? I use one, it helps me keep my paints sperate, and control the quality of my paint better. I bought a plastic one at Michales for $1.

13. What does it mean to highlight? Its basically what it sounds like, picking out the high areas in your model and makeing them lighter.

14. Do you also prime scenery and building like miniatures or do you just drybrush it? Yes but I tend to use much cheaper paint, for buildings and scenery I use Apple Barrel, found at Michaels.

15. How do you thin out your paint and how do you know when to thin out your paint? I thin my paints useing water, useing my Reaper paints its usually 3 drops of paint to 1 of water, your looking for a consistancy that flows well but still covers, use a paper towel, to test the mix.

16. What is airbrushing, do I need to airbrush, what does it do?

This is my first post and you guys have already help a newcomer like myself so much. I really appreciated it.

@ Catyrpelius & Brother SRM follow up to your replies.

1. Do I still need a hobby knife if I have modeling files?

2. For the same price, why don't people buy foundation paint instead of regular paint if it cover better? So I don't need foundation paint, is that correct? If so I will only buy washes and metallic color from GW, and the rest from other company.

3. Is there anything wrong with plastic glue? Since I am buying a battle force, there are no metal miniature in it, I don't need super glue (unless it better). The reason why I don't like super glue is it can burn your skin, and it hard to get off.

4. IMPORTANT: what do people mean by 2:1, 3:1, 10:1, etc... ratios? I'm new to painting so I'm not sure what any of this mean, it makes it hard to follow painting tutorial.

5. So GW doesn't make the best primer then or the best price? (I heard from some people that despite all the overprice tools they charge, that the primer they have is the best and decent for the price, that is why I ask this question)

6. You guys don't mix color? It seem it would be cheaper to mix color than buy a variety of paint colors. Artist's palettes are cheap.

7. What is the differences between matte, flat, and gloss varnish?

8. Elmer white glue, is that the same one you use as a kid? In the back to school section of department store?

Thanks so much guys!

slugsung88 wrote:1. Are hobby knife the same as Exacto Knife?

2. Hobby Knife remove mold line and flash, then what does modeling files do? I have a set of modeling files from GW, do I need a Hobby or Exacto Knife as well?

3. I need both plastic and super glue for metal and plastic, is that correct? If so, can I buy any superglue at walmart or does it have to be a certain kind?

4. PVA Glue (just tell me if I need it or not) (for basing) (I am basing 100%) are they the same as woodworking glue?

5. Paint color: red, blue, yellow, white, black, flesh, brown, silver, and gold (I'll buy secondary color later, purple, orange, green if mixing paints get tiring). Is silver and gold metallic color or are those different colors? GW, Reaper Master Series, Coat D'Arms, or Vallejo game color? What brand makes the best washes and metallic, do they also have foundation (or does only GW have it).

6. Are clippers the same as Cutter? (For cutting the parts of the sprue)

7. Can any paint become a wash (add water to the paint) or do you actually have to buy a wash paint? If so I only need one wash ( a darker color of the basecoat) is that correct? Are washes ink? Does GW line of washes make the best washes?

8. I know what foundation paint is (is ultramarine blue foundation paint or regular paint) but is there any differences between that and regular paint? Why do you need foundation paint if you already primer your model? Let say I plan on painting the Tau a blue color so after my white or black primer, then I just need a blue color as my foundation color right? But can't I also do a regular paint as a foundation as well? I'm really confuse about those two kind of paints. Also if I decided to paint the Tau a white color, do I paint white over white primer, or do I leave it as white primer?

9. What are varnish use for? Are varnish only use when you wash and drybrush or do any other kind of highlight? If I don't do wash or drybrush do I need varnish? Is varnish a must if I plan on doing wash and drybrush? If I use regular color I don't need varnish right? Is GW varnish good for the price, any other recommendation?

10. GW list these paint brushes (do I need them all and if not where can I buy the same type of brush from other stores, e.g. 4 flat brushes, what are the name)
Citadel fine detail brush, detail brush, standard brush, basecoat brush, large brush, wash brush, small drybrush, median drybrush, large drybrush, stippling brush (do I need all of these, and what are they call in other store)? This is very IMPORTANT to me, thanks

11. I have a black citadel primer, do I need a white one as well?

12. Artist's palette (do i need it)?

13. What does it mean to highlight?

14. Do you also prime scenery and building like miniatures or do you just drybrush it?

15. How do you thin out your paint and how do you know when to thin out your paint?

16. What is airbrushing, do I need to airbrush, what does it do?

Thanks

1. Yes.

2. They are both used to remove the lines that are a result of the miniature casting process. A hobby knife is easier to use on plastic while files work better on metal. Files usually make a mess of plastics.

3. I've always used whatever brand of superglue I can find and have had no problems.

4. You need it for basing. It's just white glue.

5. Silver and Gold are metallic paints. Each brand has it's merits and some colors are better than others depending on brand. Generally, everyone says GW washes are the best for the majority of painters. Same goes for their metallics. Only GW makes a foundation paint. Foundation is just a paint with extra pigment to cover better. It's not needed, but it does make painting over a black undercoat (primer) easier for certain colors.

6. I'd assume so.

7. Any normal paint can be used as a wash when watered down and sometimes a flow-aid such as an acrylic medium is added to help it flow into the folds and crevices of the model. You can make your own washes, but for most new painters, it is just easier to buy them. As for as colors, you can create interesting effects with using different colors of wash, but generally you would use the same color as whatever your color scheme is. An ink is a little different as it is always transparent despite how watered down it is.

8. The foundation paints make basecoats (in which you would paint your highlights on) easier. It's not the same thing as priming. Priming helps the paint to adhere to the model while foundation makes it easier to put down paint over your primer with minimal coats of paint. You don't need to use foundation paint, but it may take you an extra (or two or more) coats of paint to cover. As a general rule, you always cover the primer with paint. So, you would use white paint on white primer to paint white and black paint over black primer if you want to paint black.

9. Varnish is used to protect your mini while gaming. They are one of the last steps before finishing your minis. It has nothing to do with highlights or washes. GW varnish is ok, but Testors Dullcote is a common recommendation.

10. GW brushes are ok. Natural hair is what you want. As far as sizes, I would start with a 1, 0, and 10/0.

11. Personal preference.

12. Yes. You shouldn't paint straight out of the paint pot. You don't have to buy one. Many people use white ceramic tiles, old CDs, or whatever.

13. In short, painting a lighter color of your basecoat on the parts of the model that would be hit by the light.

14. You should prime scenery and paint it similarly to how you paint miniatures.

15. This one is dependent on how thick the paint is as it comes out of the bottle and your painting style. In general, thin paint is a lot better than thick paint.

16. An airbrush is a tool for painting without a brush. They are expensive and have very specific uses and can be very useful on specific models, but the majority of hobbyists dont need one.

slugsung88 wrote:This is my first post and you guys have already help a newcomer like myself so much. I really appreciated it.

@ Catyrpelius & Brother SRM follow up to your replies.

1. Do I still need a hobby knife if I have modeling files?

2. For the same price, why don't people buy foundation paint instead of regular paint if it cover better? So I don't need foundation paint, is that correct? If so I will only buy washes and metallic color from GW, and the rest from other company.

3. Is there anything wrong with plastic glue? Since I am buying a battle force, there are no metal miniature in it, I don't need super glue (unless it better). The reason why I don't like super glue is it can burn your skin, and it hard to get off.

4. IMPORTANT: what do people mean by 2:1, 3:1, 10:1, etc... ratios? I'm new to painting so I'm not sure what any of this mean, it makes it hard to follow painting tutorial.

5. So GW doesn't make the best primer then or the best price? (I heard from some people that despite all the overprice tools they charge, that the primer they have is the best and decent for the price, that is why I ask this question)

6. You guys don't mix color? It seem it would be cheaper to mix color than buy a variety of paint colors. Artist's palettes are cheap.

7. What is the differences between matte, flat, and gloss varnish?

8. Elmer white glue, is that the same one you use as a kid? In the back to school section of department store?

Thanks so much guys!

1. Yes. It's one of the most used tools aside from a paintbrush.

2. Foundation paint is good for basecoats, but not so good for detail work. Regular paint can do both, so it is the better deal.

3. As I mentioned earlier, I just use superglue for everything.

4. Yes, ratios. Usually, it's the amount of water to paint when thinning your paint for application to your model.

5. From all the primers I have used, Dupli-color is the best.

6. The majority of the time, I mix colors. Some people prefer to go the easy way and just use colors as they come from the bottle.

7. Matte varnish and flat varnish are the same thing. It means there is no shine, but they also dull the color slightly. Gloss varnish is shiny.

8. Yes, it's the same glue.

3. Is there anything wrong with plastic glue? Since I am buying a battle force, there are no metal miniature in it, I don't need super glue (unless it better). The reason why I don't like super glue is it can burn your skin, and it hard to get off.

If you are gluing plastic DO NOT use superglue!!

Seriously.

The plastic glue essentially 'melts' the two pieces of plastic into each other, creating a very strong bond. Superglue? You can easily, and accidentally, snap the miniatures apart even after it has set. Superglue is fine for metal, just not for plastic!

Recently I purchased some old and used plastic boyz from Ebay and the kid had used superglue to hold them together. It took me less than 5 minutes to snap all of the pieces apart with little to no effort.

1. Do I still need a hobby knife if I have modeling files? You can get by with one or the other, however haveing both can speed up the process for cleaning up mold lines and such on the model. Sometimes its faster and easier to use the file, sometimes the hobby knife. I would really suggest getting both, especially since you can pick up a Snap Knife at Home Depot very cheap, its what I use.

2. For the same price, why don't people buy foundation paint instead of regular paint if it cover better? So I don't need foundation paint, is that correct? If so I will only buy washes and metallic color from GW, and the rest from other company. Foundation paint is very thick, it covers well but tends to hide details. I would suggest useing several different brands of paint and see which one works best for you. I used GW, Vallejo and tamiya, before I settled on Reaper.

3. Is there anything wrong with plastic glue? Since I am buying a battle force, there are no metal miniature in it, I don't need super glue (unless it better). The reason why I don't like super glue is it can burn your skin, and it hard to get off. There is nothing wrong with plastic glue, it will give you the strongest bond on plastic. I still prefer Super Glue though, as it is quicker to setup and in the event that I want to take a model apart to change something, with super glue you can.

4. IMPORTANT: what do people mean by 2:1, 3:1, 10:1, etc... ratios? I'm new to painting so I'm not sure what any of this mean, it makes it hard to follow painting tutorial. 2:1 meens 2 parts of something for every 1 part of something. For example when thinning paints, for every 2 drops of paint, add 1 drop of water.

5. So GW doesn't make the best primer then or the best price? (I heard from some people that despite all the overprice tools they charge, that the primer they have is the best and decent for the price, that is why I ask this question) GW doesnt really make a primer any more, what they sell is Chaos Black in a spary can and White in a spray can. Primer and paint are not the same thing, although the spray can of white is pretty close. I personally use armory primer, I've had alot of sucess with it and its about half the cost of a can of GW paint. I have some friends that use Krylon spray primer and have never heard them complain about it.

6. You guys don't mix color? It seem it would be cheaper to mix color than buy a variety of paint colors. Artist's palettes are cheap. When I tend to paint, I usually have a theme in mind for what I'm painting. I like my armys or crews or whatever system im working with to look coheasive. When mixing paint its hard to get the same exact color time and time again. It would be cheaper to mix my own custom colors of paint, but I find it works out better haveing a bunch of premixed colors to chose from. Thats my biggest qualm with GW paints, they only have about 100 different colors, and there are alot of gaps in it. With other paint brands, like Reaper of Valejo they have over 400 different shades of paints and very few gaps in the lines. Alot depends on your painting style, if you want an army where every model is different it would probably be easier to mix your own colors.

7. What is the differences between matte, flat, and gloss varnish? Matte generally meens dule, certain brands of paint when they dry take on a glossy finish, generally speaking a glossy finish doesnt look right on a model, a matte finish will dule down glossy finish. A flat finish is pretty much the same thing as Matte. Gloss basically meens shiney, think of the finish put on most cars.

8. Elmer white glue, is that the same one you use as a kid? In the back to school section of department store? Yes it is, pretty much any White Glue is PVA glue, the only difference bettewen them will be the thickness. I use Elmers Glue, its cheap and it works well.

PinkPaw, one of the main reasons I use Super Glue is because you can get the parts apart again.

I have to agree with Pinkpaw about the use of super glue. I only use it to glue metal to metal, now, and prefer to do it BEFORE the model is painted, (when I can). If you wait until after all the parts are painted, after you apply it, I find it generates a white frost around the area when it dries and you have to go back and touch up the paint. Annoying.

With primers, I've found you can get decent ones at your local hardware store/ Walmart. Just be careful to read it before you buy it. Stay away from "sandable" primers. They spray out with clots that can ruin the models smoothness.

As far as paints go, don't get cheap, (as I have done in the past). Not all acrilics are the same. Up in the North here, all Dollar stores and Walmarts sell generous bottles of acrilic paints for a buck each and in every colour imaginable. Do not use these for your models. You will need to put on too many coats and it looks like crap. However, you can try to use some of them for some kinds of terrain pieces and ( i have'nt tried this yet) perhaps to make your own wash mixes. That may save you a few bucks. But for your models go with the Citadel colours, or if you can find them, I hear Vallayo is a top notch paint.

As far as Exacto knives vrs. hobby knives, have both. An Exto cuts just as well, but when you start getting into conversions, sculpting and the finer details, you'll find a hobby knife with a good set of blades far easier to manipulate.

Good luck and have a great time with this amazing hobby!

Catyrpelius wrote:
PinkPaw, one of the main reasons I use Super Glue is because you can get the parts apart again.

I agree with this. If you use super glue, all you need to do is lightly sand each contact surface of the glue and it will create a strong bond without fusing the plastics permanently.

worldwarme wrote:
As far as paints go, don't get cheap, (as I have done in the past). Not all acrilics are the same. Up in the North here, all Dollar stores and Walmarts sell generous bottles of acrilic paints for a buck each and in every colour imaginable. Do not use these for your models. You will need to put on too many coats and it looks like crap. However, you can try to use some of them for some kinds of terrain pieces and ( i have'nt tried this yet) perhaps to make your own wash mixes. That may save you a few bucks. But for your models go with the Citadel colours, or if you can find them, I hear Vallayo is a top notch paint.

Those cheap bottles of craft paint have really large (and low quality) pigment pieces in them and aren't really suitable for washes. They are great for terrain pieces, though.

Would you really want to take apart plastic boyz though? Metal figurines you glue with superglue maybe... but plastic common troops?

And they snap apart sooooo easy that I can't imagine them fairing well while handling them.

So I guess if you have plans to take apart your plastic guys in the future go with superglue. But if you want staying power and dislike reattaching limbs, go with the plastic glue (which incidentally does not glue fingers together).