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I hate using my metal models. Not because I dont like their sculpt, but it's that my paint chips too much and The models end up looking horrible. Can anyone tell me how I can make my models paint job not chip? (i know that a varnish can help but the paint chips while I am painting it so it would be too late.)

Use a spray primmer
Use a spray sealant at the end
Don't drop them!

That's my advice

One key method to safe guarding your paint work on a metal model is to clean the model before painting it. This step is often over looked and results in metal models that are difficult to assemble and even more difficult to paint properly. When metal models are cast they are removed from their molds with a greasy mold release agent which stays on the models after they are packed up and shipped to stores. The release agent can often inhibit glue from sticking in joints and paint from adhering to the model's surface.

Wash your model in either white vinegar (a degreasing agent) or warm soapy water (dish soap works well) in order to remove all of the greasy mold release agents from the model's surface. I like to use and old tooth brush to really scrub the model well during its wash. Once the model is clean and dry prime it and then begin to paint.

That should help minimize the paint flaking off from your model. Good luck!

never thought of cleaning my models with water, il'll definetely try it as soon as i begin painting my metal guys. thanks!

Use latex gloves while painting, use a spray primer.

Gawd, what's up with people complaining about metal all the time? All my friends hate metal too. I can't understand it.

Don't treat them like they're plastic is a good place to start.

If you have a friend notoriously bad for knocking stuff over, make sure he maintains a 5 foot radius from your nicely painted model. I've got a mate who regularly steps on, or knocks over expensive models, like another mate's valk, his metal winged deamon prince and has steped on one of my Devilfish being pulled out of a box.

Also I plan to weight and put a gel/rubber material on the bottom of my bases to stop them from sliding down surfaces during games, the worst feeling is watching your nicely painted, top heavy, metal model sliding down the edge of a scenery piece cause its been slightly knocked.

Zip Napalm wrote:Don't treat them like they're plastic is a good place to start.

Can you tell me which part in not to treat them like plastic?

Seriphis wrote:If you have a friend notoriously bad for knocking stuff over, make sure he maintains a 5 foot radius from your nicely painted model. I've got a mate who regularly steps on, or knocks over expensive models, like another mate's valk, his metal winged deamon prince and has steped on one of my Devilfish being pulled out of a box.

Also I plan to weight and put a gel/rubber material on the bottom of my bases to stop them from sliding down surfaces during games, the worst feeling is watching your nicely painted, top heavy, metal model sliding down the edge of a scenery piece cause its been slightly knocked.

wow...your friend must be unlucky or under a curse or something. Luckily for me I dont use metal raptors, so I dont have to worry about top heavy metallic models

Samus_aran115 wrote:Use latex gloves while painting, use a spray primer.

Gawd, what's up with people complaining about metal all the time? All my friends hate metal too. I can't understand it.

well, the thread kind of answered your question. the paint chips too easily. And its more expensive too.

The treating em like plastic probably refers to storage and transport.

All of my metal models get put in foam when ever i move it around it, to avoid them from bashing about in bags and so forth.

You've also got to be a little bit more careful when your drybrushing because you can also strip the basecoat.

Samus_aran115 wrote:Use latex gloves while painting, use a spray primer.

Gawd, what's up with people complaining about metal all the time? All my friends hate metal too. I can't understand it.

Plastic is easier to put together, clean the mold lines off of, and paint. In comparison, metal is something of a hassle.

Samus_aran115 wrote:Gawd, what's up with people complaining about metal all the time? All my friends hate metal too. I can't understand it.

-- you cant understand why people hate working with pewter? Then I guess its hard for you to understand that plastic is far superior to work with, to paint, to convert, to glue, and to play with. Pewter is awful...I even hate buying special characters because metal sucks so much. You cant even trust buying these over the internet because you cant analyze the mold to make sure the guy doesnt have a messed up head or other disfigurations! Metal sucks!

My advice would be to painte your coats and follow it up with a thin coat of sealant...it probably doesnt help much, but thats what I do....and you just have to be careful when handling them... I am painting a Brother Corbulo right now and love the model but absolutely hate the metal aspect. Not to mention the fact that you have to make sure you paint every little cranny and crevase of the model otherwise it looks like garabage... METAL SUCKS!

Metal sculpts are more detailed, sturdy and reassuring. I think there's a real generation gap behind alot of this. Many of the older hobbyists grew up with metal and see it as superior (considering it all comes down to the detail, I consider myself to be a part of that group). They also remember the first plastic figures, particularly the mono-pose Space Marines and Orks that came with 2nd edition 40k and how atrocious they were (despite the original RTB01 box being pretty good in spite of the low level of detail).

Things have changed, but not all that much. As the detail of plastic models has improved, so has the detail level of metal models, too. Also, many older hobbyists have developed good ways of dealing with metal models over the years and see the advantages of them outweighing the slightly longer prep time.

Element206 wrote:

Samus_aran115 wrote:Gawd, what's up with people complaining about metal all the time? All my friends hate metal too. I can't understand it.

-- you cant understand why people hate working with pewter? Then I guess its hard for you to understand that plastic is far superior to work with, to paint, to convert, to glue, and to play with. Pewter is awful...I even hate buying special characters because metal sucks so much. You cant even trust buying these over the internet because you cant analyze the mold to make sure the guy doesnt have a messed up head or other disfigurations! Metal sucks!

My advice would be to painte your coats and follow it up with a thin coat of sealant...it probably doesnt help much, but thats what I do....and you just have to be careful when handling them... I am painting a Brother Corbulo right now and love the model but absolutely hate the metal aspect. Not to mention the fact that you have to make sure you paint every little cranny and crevase of the model otherwise it looks like garabage... METAL SUCKS!

So you have told us why Plastic is good in your opinion, but that wasn't the question. All you have said about metal is "It sucks!" Why? What properties make it "suck"?

Metal is fine if you follow these steps:

1. Wash the model with soap and water and let dry. (You should do this with plastics too) This removes the mold release agent which can interfere with paint adhesion
2. Spray prime the model with a primer. Once this is dry you should have very little in the way of chipping.
3. When painting is finished, seal with a gloss coat. (I use Future).
4. When that is dry, spray with Testor's Dullcote (or your favorite matte finish)
5. Store your models in foam, not in a tackle box, cardboard carton, or wrapped in Kleenex. You spend good money on minis and lots of time on painting, so spend a couple bucks on safe storage.

Samus_aran115 wrote:Use latex gloves while painting, use a spray primer.

Gawd, what's up with people complaining about metal all the time? All my friends hate metal too. I can't understand it.

Amen to that, I like the metals, once they have primer on there's no difference, apart from the nice weighty feel you don't get with plastic.

How does pewter suck? are you even using primer? I've never once had a problem with paint sticking.

Mold lines are exactly the same, stop complaining. If anything, it's a little easier becasue it's harder to accidentally destroy the model. Try using a sharper knife.

Plastic is utter crap for modelling. Things are too easy to snap in half, and if you're an indecisive modeler like myself, being able to rip apart a model without worrying about it actually breaking is a huge plus. I recently dismantled my marneus calgar. If he was plastic, he'd be impossible to fix.

I've painted metal and plastic minis for years and I don't see any difference. Wash them, prime them, seal them, and handle with care. Paint will chip off plastic models if you don't seal them, or don't store them right when transporting.

Seal 'em well and if you handle them poorly they STILL won't chip. Three heavy coats of gloss, one or two of matte, and you can bang 'em together like a kid with action figures and nothing will happen.

Ive got metal models over 5 years old now that have been used in countless games, dropped, and generally not taken care of.
I struggle to find a single blemish in the paintwork on them.

If i could, i'd only ever use metal models as they generally have tons more detail, and i prefer painting metal to plastic.
Only thing that stops me is:

1- cost is a pain in the arse at times.
2- not all models are available in metal.



The main 4 points with metal models:

I use dishwashing soap and warm water.
I then use a toothbrush to scrub the models making sure all mould release has been taken off.

Allways use spray primer, it coats it 1,000x better than brushing it on, and stops any chances of paint comming off.

When painting a model allways hold it by the base if possible.
Holding any painted part of the model will cause the paint to fade slightly if your not careful.

allways use a varnish on them afterwards.
Matte is best, but if you want a glossy finish for nurgle or the likes, then gloss is fine.
Just makes sure its well shaken, not too cold or too hot, and allways test it on an old unwanted model 1st.

ekwatts wrote:Metal sculpts are more detailed, sturdy and reassuring. I think there's a real generation gap behind alot of this. Many of the older hobbyists grew up with metal and see it as superior (considering it all comes down to the detail, I consider myself to be a part of that group). They also remember the first plastic figures, particularly the mono-pose Space Marines and Orks that came with 2nd edition 40k and how atrocious they were (despite the original RTB01 box being pretty good in spite of the low level of detail).

Things have changed, but not all that much. As the detail of plastic models has improved, so has the detail level of metal models, too. Also, many older hobbyists have developed good ways of dealing with metal models over the years and see the advantages of them outweighing the slightly longer prep time.

I agree, and seeing as I consider myself to be a young man I don't really appreciate being made to feel old by generation gap created by a rash of newer hobbyists complaining about metal being so useless. Such a wide range of good quality plastic kits is a modern luxury which people have quickly adapted to. They are quick and simple to put together as the material is easy to work with and the glue is much more friendly. Metal are harder and more time consuming to work with and you need to pin or use superglue. But the other side is that metal are used for lower production figures and it tends to have better fine detailing and undercuts. Plastic still has its limitations. Plastic often has much larger mould lines that need removing although it is a softer material to work with.

I've never had a problem with paint chipping off metal figures, if it's more than a general wear and tear thing through handling, metal or plastic regardless, then you're not painting or handling them properly. These things need time invested in them, metal just a little more so but it's worth the effort. If you want a game where you have minimum construction then play Heroclix or something.

the gw purity seal spray works well.