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Hello fellow 40kers.
I'm sure there more than enough UltraSmurf collectors out there who absoloutley adore The Marneus Calgar model but I am reluctant to get him for one reason-

PAINT ON METAL CHIPS SO EASILY!

I painted what was to me a great captain Sicarius and 2 weeks later he was half silver!!!! Please help me avert this, in the least ridiculous way possible!

Use a better primer?

1. Prepare and wash the model properly.
2. A good primer.
3. Paint.
4. A good varnish.
5. Take care of your figures when transporting and playing.

I've got many more metal figures than plastic and have never had any chipping problems with them.

Oh great and mighty kilkrazy, I have never used a varnish on my metal models, and I have only experienced the tiniest amount of chipping (tips of sm's boots, tiny spots like that)
What kind of vanish is best, and where can they be boughten?

I find that GW basecoat sprays stop chipping because the paint clings onto it better

my chips come more from stupidly balanced models falling over (the sanguinior and my DP to name a few) but I agree, a good primer is key. might not go as far as varnishing as it makes it a little shiny.

I always matt varnish my miniatures for protection and because I prefer the look of the finish. Some paints leave a slightly shiny finish, especially mechrite red...

as already said, the key is to wash your metal minis with soap/warm water and prime them...
for the varnish I bought some matt varnish from a local model railroad store... unfortunately it's a japanese brand, so I can't read the name, but I think it's called "Mr. Hobby TOPCOAT Flat"
don't use that from GW, it's too shiny!

Use a good primer and that should solve half of your problems.

When finished painting I use a brushed on coat of Future (you could spray it as well). Then when dry, I spray Testor's Dullcote.

This should make your models all but bomb proof!

A good primer and varnish should do the job