"Is this a bad idea?" Topic

Ok, so firstly I'll just say that I am completely new to painting miniatures of any kind. I've been playing a game recently which came included with some 28mm alien miniatures in grey plastic which I've found underwhelming but I think it would add a lot to them if painted black.

If I spray paint them just using black primer will that give an ok finish? I don't expect a professional quality look, just black miniatures where the paint won't rub off on fingers or stain the board etc.

Do I just need any primer that says its for plastics? Is the citadel "chaos black" pretty much a can't-go-wrong choice? Would this be reasonably hard wearing with just a couple of coats of primer?

Who knows, if I like the effect maybe I'll be tempted to paint them "properly" at a later date to get a better look.

Cheap 'store brand' flat spray paint is your friend. Depending on what colors you intend to paint over the primer, Black, Grey or White work well. The darker the primer usually means the finished figure will be darker. I use white or grey as black hides detail for me.

Welcome to painting miniatures! Two things:

1. Easy to miss a bit with spray paint, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to invest in a bottle of black brush paint and a big cheap brush to give them a wash afterward.

2. Primers have a kinda-rough surface so that other paints will stick to them. That's why they're primers. That kinda-rough makes them matte and not glossy, and yeah, a little easier for paint to rub off with use. SO

Nothing wrong with Chaos Black, but, as I said, a bottle and a brush for backup won't hurt, and you probably also want a can of some sort of sealant afterward--gloss, satin or matte depending on how you want your aliens to look.

And again, welcome. Nothing like deciding for yourself what your army should look like.

As above, but would be good to highlight with a slightly lighter color to some raised areas, and large, flat spots, if any.

Say perhaps a very dark gray, charcoal gray, or something similar.

The problem with all black is it will cover up a lot of the detailing of the minis, since you can't see it unless close up, in bright lighting.

Undercoat the minis with Citadel Black from a spray can, then dry brush with gray to give them depth and texture. Quick and easy paint job for aliens with minimal fuss and effort.

Don't spend the money on Citadel Chaos black as a primer.

Go to WalMart and buy some Krylon Fusion Camouflage ultra-flat black. It will stick much better to the plastic than just about anything.

Welcome to the painting part of our all-around enjoyable hobby!

No, it's not a bad idea. In fact, it's a great idea.

I recommend that, before you paint, you wash your gray plastic aliens in warm water with ordinary dishwashing liquid, rinse well, and let dry thoroughly.

That will remove any oil on the surface of the miniatures. Paint won't stick to oil, so you don't want any on your miniatures.

When you're priming, don't hold the spray can too close to the miniatures, and give them a few light coats. Don't give them a thick coat of paint; it will cover details and look like a thick coat of paint, not like an alien.

It can be useful to put the miniatures on something like a piece of cardboard, a plastic lid, or a CD, so that you can carry them to and from the painting station in groups, and rotate them in groups.

Expect to have to paint them lying down as well as standing up, so that you can get paint under them.

Drybrushing is easy, fun, fast, and gives great results. Make sure your brush is very dry, use a light touch, and go over the miniatures a few times as you see fit.

Most important advice: Have fun!

Post some pictures when you're done!

What sort of plastic are the minis made of? Hard styrene or soft bendy plastic it will make a difference as to what primer you use. I undercoated a load of the Soft plastic D&D miniatures with black primer spray a few years back that for ever remained sticky to touch. Also soft plastic might benefit from extra preparation to stop the paint flaking off during use.

It's not a bad idea if you end up happy with your minis. Cheap flat black spray paint should be fine.

I do agree to do a drybrush afterwards. If they are aliens, bright metallic green or dark purple might be interesting drybrush effects on top of black.

If they are going to be thrown about a bit (I am thinking in storage, rather than on the table), a cheap can of spray matte sealant after would help.

I second the Krylon primer. Seems to work well for soft and bendy plastic as well as the rigid sort.

Which game?

Check out "The Dip painting technique": Minwax Polyshades Urethane Stain, Tudor (black), or Royal Walnut (dirty, in the mud, in the trenches color).

I painted tan and green plastic Army Men figures applying simple block painting on parts that differed from the plastic's color, only. Then I painted on the Minwax. It accumulates in the folds, and recesses, giving a decent, arm's length, shading, bringing out the details. It is very fast, and very easy.

Even the Satin finish is shiny. Spray them with a matte clear coat, afterwards, to dull them down. Cheers!