need some help getting paint to stick to models

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**Garuss Acine**

hey Dakka, I got an issue with some older Plastic Models, that for what ever reason seem to hate having paint on them.

these are older Battletech Box Set Models, the 2nd Edition set I believe(the one with the Battlemaster, Warhammer,Griffin, and a boat load of other mechs). I have tried two brands(Citadel and Vallejo) of paint, this includes the thicker Citadel Foundation paints as well. the paint just seems to flake off under any rubbing, I have given these models a bath in warm soapy water, and they still don't seem to take to the paint. I have a decent amount of these so any help at all would be greatly appreciated, I would really like to get these painted and onto the Hex board asap.

thanks in advance Dakka,
GA

**Rhich**

Have they been primered? or at least a base coat of sorts?

**Bullfrog**

A scrub with a toothbrush might be needed to remove any release agent, just soaking them won't always do the trick.

**Garuss Acine**

@Rhich:
yes they have, I base coated them with Citadel Foundation Mechrite Red.

@Bullfrog:
thank you for the tip, I just put them back in the water, and will be giving them a scrub after this bath, if it works I'll post some pics of them painted up.

**snurl**

Garuss Acine wrote:@Rhich:
yes they have, I base coated them with Citadel Foundation Mechrite Red.

@Bullfrog:
thank you for the tip, I just put them back in the water, and will be giving them a scrub after this bath, if it works I'll post some pics of them painted up.

Try some spray primer.

**Capt_Bowman**

Those are widely regarded as having some poor plastic used in their manufacture. Mine were washed in warm soapy water, primed with a decent spray primer (I think mine was non-specific black) and then varnished once the paint was finished. this had kept mine in good order for over 15 years now.