"Starting to work on some 1/600 ironclads" Topic

After Littlewars spending binge on Thoroughbred and later Bay Area Yard 1:600 minis, I have been stockpiling supplies and now that I am ready to get started, from what practice I had 20 years ago, the resin hulls get soaked in dish soap and water(I am thinking distilled, since I have a well). I thought that the pewter should go in soap and water, too, but someone has now told me a vinegar and water solution. What is the proper pre primer wash?

I just use warm water and dish soap.

Mark

I don't bother washing the metal – never had a problem with it.

Me neither, and I've done a couple of hundred now.

Oh but that one will make you very mad. I always wash miniatures since the following happened. I never bothered to wash my miniatures. I painted up 6 Ki-61 Tonys, nice paint job, I applied a gloss spray prior to applying decals. There was something on the miniatures in certain areas and the primer and paint had not adhered properly. As the gloss finish dried, it pulled the paint right off the miniature. They looked horrible and that is why gentleman, I always wash my miniatures.

I've looked recently and I've seen all sorts of items used for bases, metal, clear(plex?), wood, and then none at all. When not using hex based games, the bases are there to protect the miniature, I am assuming. What is the best thing to use or not use? Is it just a preference thing?