"Should I wash my gaming miniatures before painting them?" Topic

1) Yes, with soap, to get any oils, release agent or residue off
2) Yes, quick rinse of water only
3) No, I've never had a problem
4) No, I only paint miniatures for display so they never get handled after completion
5) I don't paint miniatures

3

1

1 (they get rinsed hot water with a squeeze of washing up liquid).

1.

Plastic yes, metal no!

1 Not only is there mold release goop, but I've thoroughly doused them with oils from my hands in the line removal/cleanup process.

Resin yes, metal and plastic no.

I often have a wash myself before painting minis.

Wash the figures, not so much.

3

2

1

Ah ,the question that prompts endless discussion. Like most beliefs, I believe washing makes a difference because I can see the difference. There is all kind of debris and oils deposited on the miniature after I scrape, file and burnish that brushing alone does not remove. The contaminants must be removed by washing.

3. I do not wash metal or hard plastic miniatures and this appears to be OK. These get undercoated with spray paint (GW Chaos Black).

I do wash Reaper Bones as they are undercoated by brush with standard acrylic paints.

I also wash resin castings because I have had problems in the past..

I wash plastic and resin with dish soap and water. I rarely wash metals and if I do, I use alcohol.

I always wash metal figures before undercoating/priming them … and wash my hands after handing unpainted castings (the lead in figures is toxic).

Because I have greasy skin, I also wash my hands before I paint figures just in case I touch them.

Yes iwash them in soapy water.

1. Wash with soapy water, then rinse & dry.

3 for metal, but 2 for plastic

It used to be you were advised to soak your metal figures in vinegar to slightly etch them to allow primer to get a good hold. I haven't seen that advice in many years(better primers?).

However, since I have been making figures since 1981 and know exactly how many times they are exposed to talc and oil(human and sometimes machine) in the manufacturing process, I always clean figures in hot water and soap with an old toothbrush before priming.

But then, my legs are gray and my hair is bent.

Dave
wargamingminiatures.com

Plastic yes, metal no!

While I'm sure I should, I never do.

I don't really do plastic much, but it does help there.

6. I rinse metal in rubbing alcohol, and wash resin.

3 – unless they are really dirty for some reason.

1 – all figures (metal, plastic, whatever) get washed in water with a bit of dish soap.

Originally 3, now 1 (when I remember.)

Edit: I usually have to wash myself after painting figures.

I often have a wash myself before painting minis.

Wash the figures, not so much.

1), but with alcohol wipes.

A Willie Wonka quote!

Happy Day!

1 I scrub all figures in warm soapy water with an old toothbrush then let air dry before priming.

For years I never heard of washing, and a few figures from that era have had trouble with paint adherence. Since then, it seems like none do.

Of course, I can say the same about priming, and about varnishing.

Somewhere in there is a technique that does the trick.

Oh, you mean "wash" as in really clean something. Not, "given 'em a wash", as with sepia ink or similar.

I use a quick painting method called "the Sand People" method: prime with white (heavily), paint skin, wood and metal (and a horsey color if cavalry), heavily "wash" with sepia ink, finish bases, done.

So, 6) Wash with ink after priming. :)

Resin yes, metal no unless they are clearly covered in something.

3

3

1

Soap, water, toothbrush. I got a lot of my minis off ebay and who knows where they were and who/what they came in contact with…

Actually with oily skin I wash up prior to painting sessions as a standard practice.

3

1 with Resin. I've had resin (I didn't paint but own) have paint flake off. Not sure what prep was or wasn't done.

1 with Bones. I read many horror stories about paint/primer never drying and they are pretty bendy… I don't think the paint needs any more disadvantages than that to try and stay on.

Everything else 3.

1. Soapy water and toothbrush.

What could it hurt?

It brightens them up, and there's always crud rolling around in the bottom of the dishpan afterwards.