| oldbob | 08 Apr 2013 7:42 a.m. PST |
I'm getting old and lazy, I've stopped washing my metal figures before priming. The paint does seem to flow easier on washed figures, should I still be washing them? |
| Yesthatphil | 08 Apr 2013 7:46 a.m. PST |
No need to wash metal figures … thousands under my belt over the last 40 years and I have never had a paint failure yet (they do give me the occasional award from time to time so it clearly isn't causing any issues). Phil |
| Dynaman8789 | 08 Apr 2013 7:53 a.m. PST |
I'm a bad boy, I don't even prime them. I have had to wash a few but that was only due to obvious gunk buildup. |
 Editor in Chief Bill   | 08 Apr 2013 8:15 a.m. PST |
On metal figures, the only thing you might need to remove is the talc left by the casting process – but I've never seen any talc on a figure! |
| ming31 | 08 Apr 2013 8:18 a.m. PST |
depends on the mini some look nlike they need washing … |
79thPA  | 08 Apr 2013 8:35 a.m. PST |
I've never washed a metal figure before priming it. |
| SECURITY MINISTER CRITTER | 08 Apr 2013 8:52 a.m. PST |
When I started this I "cleaned" them in alcohol. I ran out while we were at sea, and just primed them. I never noticed any difference. |
| Space Monkey | 08 Apr 2013 9:16 a.m. PST |
I wash mine before priming, mostly 'cause my grubby little fingers have been all over them while cutting flash or mold lines. Probably not strictly necessary but probably wont hurt either. |
| jpattern2 | 08 Apr 2013 9:44 a.m. PST |
What Space Wizard said. By the time I get around to actually slapping on some paint, I've handled the minis so much they're coated with dirty finger oils. |
| Woolshed Wargamer | 08 Apr 2013 9:52 a.m. PST |
I have never washed metals, or plastics for that matter. Perhaps I should. But the paint is still on the figures I painted in the late 70s and early 80s, and I never even primed those ones. |
 Mserafin | 08 Apr 2013 10:24 a.m. PST |
I always wash mine, to remove skin oils from my handling them and residual metal dust from where I've filed off the mold marks. I don't know if it's really necessary, but I do it anyway. |
| The Beast Rampant | 08 Apr 2013 12:56 p.m. PST |
I'm with Mserafin. There's always some metal bits left over from scraping and filing. I have a soft toothbrush for removing it, might as well use soap and water while I'm at it. I know I didn't do it early on, but I have washed every one for ages now. |
| Cardinal Ximenez | 08 Apr 2013 3:10 p.m. PST |
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| 377CSG | 08 Apr 2013 5:16 p.m. PST |
No never have washed metal – just brush on some gesso primer for use with acrylic paint – good to go. |
| Gonsalvo | 08 Apr 2013 5:42 p.m. PST |
Never washed a metal figure in 45 years of painting; the old airfix plastic, definitely. |
| Inner Sanctum | 09 Apr 2013 2:41 a.m. PST |
I just use a wash of black or white paint, hate spray undercoats, never washed since the days of lead-rot and enamels. |
| daoloth | 09 Apr 2013 3:58 a.m. PST |
I think it very much depends on what the manufacturer uses as the release agent and how much they use. I've seen some models positively repel paint when they have not been properly cleaned of release agent (The old AOG B5 ships were definitely like that). So I always wash metal miniatures these days. |
| Joes Shop | 18 Jul 2013 6:12 a.m. PST |
I wash in a solution of Simple Green & Water (Dishwashing Liquid can leave a film). Coming from a scale modeling background I want the object to be free of mold release agent and as clean as possible prior to priming. Regards, J. P. Kelly |
