Ethan Clarke
Painting plastic miniatures is a great way to bring your figurines to life, whether it's for a tabletop game or a hobby collection. In this guide, we will be exploring how to paint a plastic miniature as brass, including the steps to prepare your miniature, the painting process, and the materials you will need. We will also discuss how to create a brass effect and how to protect your paint job. By the end of this guide, you should have the knowledge and skills to create a realistic and believable brass finish on your plastic miniatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint | Acrylic paints, including redwood brown, ember orange, orange dipping ink, red opulence dipping ink, ork flesh dipping ink, go mango |
| Tools | Miniature dry brushes, hobby knife, sprue cutter, paper towels, water |
| Preparation | Wash the plastic frame or miniature with soap and water, remove parts from the plastic sprue, clean off excess mold lines, assemble the miniature with plastic cement or super glue, fill in gaps with putty |
| Primer | Spray primer, e.g. Games Workshop sprays, Citadel Chaos Black |
| Base Coat | Brass, Rhinox Hide |
| Wash | Burnt Umber, Black, White Spirit |
| Highlight | AK True Metal Brass, Vallejo Metal Color Aluminum, Runefang Steel |
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What You'll Learn
- Wash the plastic miniature with soap and water to remove any residual lubricants or oils
- Assemble the miniature using super glue or plastic cement
- Prime the miniature with black spray paint
- Paint the miniature with a base coat of brass paint
- Highlight the miniature with a mix of brass, old gold, and Runefang Steel paint
Wash the plastic miniature with soap and water to remove any residual lubricants or oils
To paint a plastic miniature, it is important to first prepare the miniature for the paint. This includes washing the plastic miniature with soap and water to remove any residual lubricants or oils. This step is crucial as plastic model kits are often mass-produced through an injection cast-mold process, which can leave behind lubricants or oils on the plastic surface. By rinsing the kit with soap and water, you can ensure that the paint adheres well to the surface and doesn't chip off easily.
When washing the plastic miniature, use a mild dish soap and warm water. Gently scrub the miniature with a soft-bristled brush to remove any dirt, grease, or residue. Pay extra attention to nooks and crannies, as residue can build up in these areas. After scrubbing, rinse the miniature thoroughly under running water to remove any soap residue.
It is important to let the miniature air-dry completely before proceeding to the next step. Placing the miniature on a drying rack or a towel can help speed up the drying process. Ensure that the miniature is entirely dry to the touch before moving on to the next step, which may include attaching the miniatures to their bases or priming the surface.
Additionally, while washing the miniature, you can also use this opportunity to clean any tools or brushes you plan to use for painting. This ensures that your equipment is free of any dust, fibers, or residue that could interfere with the painting process.
By taking the time to properly wash and prepare your plastic miniature, you can ensure that your paint job will be long-lasting and of higher quality. This initial step sets the foundation for the rest of the painting process, allowing you to achieve the desired brass effect more effectively.
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Assemble the miniature using super glue or plastic cement
Assembling your plastic miniature before painting it is a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, it gives you a better idea of the model's overall appearance and size. Secondly, it allows you to see any gaps or blemishes that need filling in with putty or similar substances. Finally, assembling beforehand means you don't have to worry about the tricky process of painting the parts separately and then assembling them.
To assemble your plastic miniature, you can use super glue or plastic cement. Super glue, or cyanoacrylate, is a universally beloved product by modellers everywhere. Plastic cement is also a popular choice, with brands such as Testor and Tamiya offering non-toxic options. If you use the Tamiya plastic cement, make sure you do so in a well-ventilated space.
Before assembling your miniature, you should remove any parts from the plastic sprue and clean off excess mould lines. You can use a hobby knife or scalpel to do this, as well as to remove any lines and flashing that bother you. Flashing is usually more associated with metal miniatures, but lines often occur from the moulds.
Once your miniature is assembled, you can move on to the next steps of priming and painting.
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Prime the miniature with black spray paint
To achieve a brass effect on a plastic miniature, one of the first steps is to prime the miniature with black spray paint. This step is important as it provides a base for the paint to adhere to and ensures that the final paint job will not easily chip off.
Before priming, it is crucial to prepare the miniature properly. This includes removing any parts from the plastic sprue, cleaning off excess mould lines, and assembling the entire miniature using plastic cement or super glue. It is recommended to build the model in its entirety before priming and painting to identify any gaps or blemishes that need filling and to get a better sense of where the paint should go.
Once the miniature is assembled, it is time to prime it with black spray paint. It is advisable to use a spray paint specifically designed for priming, such as Games Workshop's sprays. However, be cautious when using brands like Rustoleum and Krylon, as their chemicals may react with the plastic, causing longer drying times or damage to the miniature.
When priming, always shake the can well for about 60-90 seconds to ensure the pigments and priming agents are properly mixed. It is also essential to work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, to avoid inhaling fumes. Spray at a closer distance than you might initially think to achieve the best coverage.
After priming the miniature with black spray paint, you can move on to the subsequent steps of creating a brass effect, such as applying base coats and highlights in various shades of brass and metal colours.
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Paint the miniature with a base coat of brass paint
Painting a plastic miniature as brass involves a few steps to ensure the paint adheres properly and that the final product looks realistic. Firstly, you should clean the miniature with soap and water to remove any residual lubricants or oils from the manufacturing process. Once the miniature is dry, it's a good idea to assemble the entire model using plastic cement or super glue. This gives you a better idea of the overall appearance and size, and you can see any gaps or blemishes that need filling.
Now, you are ready to paint the miniature with a base coat of brass paint. You can use a brush to apply the paint, but it is recommended to thin the paint first with a mixture of water and a medium such as Liquitex Matte Medium. This will prevent clogging and ensure a more even finish. You can adjust the dilution ratio depending on the brand of paint, but a common ratio is 2 drops of paint, 1 drop of medium, and 2 drops of water. Apply the thinned paint in multiple thin layers, rather than a single thick coat.
For a brass effect, you can start with a primer coat of black spray paint. Once this is dry, you can apply a base coat of brass paint mixed with a darker colour, such as Rhinox Hide, in a 1:1 ratio. Follow this with a slightly lighter drybrush of straight brass paint. For a more weathered look, you can mix the brass with a darker colour like Old Gold and drybrush the highest areas for highlighting. You can also add in other colours like black, brown, or green for more corrosion.
Finally, to protect the paint job, you can apply a coat of varnish. This will ensure the paint does not chip off and gives a professional finish to your miniature.
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Highlight the miniature with a mix of brass, old gold, and Runefang Steel paint
Painting a plastic miniature as brass involves several steps, and the process can be quite intricate. Firstly, it is important to prepare the miniature by removing it from its frame, cleaning off any excess mould, and assembling the entire miniature. This can be done with a hobby knife and a sprue cutter, and it is recommended to use plastic cement or super glue for assembly. Once the miniature is assembled, it can be primed and painted.
To achieve a brass effect, a mix of brass, old gold, and Runefang Steel paint can be used to highlight the miniature. Runefang Steel is a high-quality metallic paint known for its bright and shiny finish. It is perfect for creating a metallic base and adding a metallic shine to miniatures, especially when paired with other colours. Old gold paint can be used to create a sense of luxury and opulence, while brass paint adds to the metallic effect.
To create a brass effect, you can start by using a mixture of different shades of brown and orange acrylic paints, such as redwood brown, ember orange, and banana split. You can then add orange, red, and orange-brown dipping inks to get closer to the desired brass colour. Combining some of these paints can create final coats to illuminate and detail the lights.
It is worth noting that this process requires specific paints and tools, such as miniature dry brushes, and it may be necessary to consult more detailed guides for each step. Additionally, to protect the paint and give it a professional finish, it is recommended to apply a coat of varnish at the end.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a hobby knife, a sprue cutter, brushes of various sizes, paper towels, water, and good lighting.
First, determine if you need to wash the plastic frame or miniature to remove any residue from the manufacturing process. If so, wash with dish soap and water, rinse, and let dry. Then, remove any lines and flashing with your hobby knife. Next, assemble the miniature with plastic cement or super glue. Finally, attach the miniature to its base.
First, zenithal prime the model with black and white. Then, cover the miniature with a base coat of brass paint. Next, work in the shadows with a darker shade of bronze. Glaze over the darkest areas with a light-coloured paint, such as Guilliman Flesh. Go over everything with an oil wash made from burnt umber, black, and white spirit. Use a Q-tip to clean the oil wash from the raised areas. Finally, highlight the exposed areas with a brass paint and use a metallic paint for the extreme edge highlights.
Thin your paint with a mixture of matte medium and water before applying it to your miniature. Multiple thin layers are better than a single thick coat. You can also mix different shades of paint to create a more realistic brass colour. Finally, protect your paint with a coat of varnish.
You can paint a Warhammer 40k Tau Stealth Battlesuit or a Warhammer Vampire Counts miniature as brass. You can also paint brass armour or machinery, such as the frame, spears, and swords of the Undead army of Sylvania.
