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I've seen posts for people talking about pinning or otherwise mounting their models to something (e.g., cork, juice bottle, etc.) while they're painting.

What's the point?

To prevent chipping of the paint while handling it when painting. Acrylic chips and rubs off really easily when touching a non-sealed model, especially on edges.

In addition to preventing the paint rubbing off it also makes it easier to hold the model:

If I spend a couple hours at a time painting a model, then my fingers start to cramp up from doing the "claw hand" in order to hold the model by the base:



Holding a model like that gets unfomfortable after a while, I also find that my holding hand gets a bit more shaky after holding a model like this for a while. Holding the base by the edges like that also makes it harder to steady the model and it just takes a little accidental twist of your fingers from holding on just a little too tight for the model to jerk in your hand.



Using a cork like this means that I can hold the model in my entire hand, and get a solid grip on it. This reduced fatigue and tremors. It is a lot more comfortable and I find that I can do more precision work this way.

Try this out one day:

Take a thick marker or highlighter, and hold it by just using the very edge like this:



This is how we usually hold a model when we paint. It's not comfortable and it is very hard to keep it steady.

Now hold it like this:



See how it is instantly more comfortable and feels a lot more natural?

Part of this also depents on your painting level of course. If you are spending hours on a model then putting it on a cork or similar surface is definetly worth it. If I am knocking out speed painted table top standard models then I don't bother.

Wow....you know I've been painting for years and that's the best explanation I've seen yet. I get claw hand all the time, but I'm going to mount my stuff right now!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Seriously, just in case that seems sarcastic!

Lol, best tutorial with the use of a marker.

It's all for better grip. Aside from no claw hand, mounting the model lets you flip it around easier if you need a better angle for your brush.

It's just easier, and you can get all the surfaces without touching the model.

I like wine corks for this, if you have a bunch. Also old Citadel paint tubes are good. keeps your greasy fingerprints off the finished model while it's WIP.

 CIsaac wrote:
To prevent chipping of the paint while handling it when painting. Acrylic chips and rubs off really easily when touching a non-sealed model, especially on edges.

Non-sealed? What do you do for sealing?

I've always just held it in my hand (generally by the base) and just painted it.

 PinkSpaceHippy wrote:

 CIsaac wrote:
To prevent chipping of the paint while handling it when painting. Acrylic chips and rubs off really easily when touching a non-sealed model, especially on edges.

Non-sealed? What do you do for sealing?

I've always just held it in my hand (generally by the base) and just painted it.

Testor's Dullcote Lacquer

Any model sprayed with this will be much more resilient against having its paint chipped/dinged. Spray it after you finish painting, of course.

You can varnish it when you're only finished with a stage of the model as well. Finished the armor on a Terminator? Skin on a Trollslayer? Ready to move on to the details? Varnish that major layer and keep painting knowing you won't chip that previous work. It's also a good idea to do before washing as it gives the wash better grip and flow.

 Ouze wrote:
I like wine corks for this, if you have a bunch. Also old Citadel paint tubes are good. keeps your greasy fingerprints off the finished model while it's WIP.

The best part is collecting the corks!!!!

Well played, Ifurita.

its quite subjective - try it, and you will be amazed...

To add another reason as to why one might mount a mini while painting (I pin onto thick pieces of dowel and blue tac to super glue tubes), if you are not going to use a standard base, you're going to snip the tab off the feet (where applicable) and if using scenic bases, they are often much much easier to paint without the mini on it.
If the mini is on a base, just use some blue-tac or similar product, mash some on the top of whatever you're using, and squish the base onto it.

And props to d-USA for that great "tutorial"!