"Wiz Kids 'Star Wars Figures' - Tips needed to repaint." Topic

Hello Lads
About a decade ago I started collecting the Wiz Kids 'Star Wars' Figure line. Well I just started using them in a Nifty Little Sci-Fi game I'm designing with a friend.
The figure line is quite nice as most of you know…very good sculpts for a reasonable price and they come painted.
They come painted with a type of paint that is extremely durable and with a decent amount of detail.
So, my question is this, have any of you used a particular type of paint that can be painted over the 'original figure paint' and will stay on?
I've tried some water based paint that does not appear to stay on very well.
Or, have you developed another type of process that works on this figure line to adhere New Paint over the existing one.
Thanks in advance for your tips.
Regards,
Skip

"Water based paint" covers a fair range. Truthfully, I would have expected a decent acrylic paint for miniatures--Vallejo or GW, for instance--to work when applied straight.

But failing that, a 50-50 solution of PVA (Elmer's Glue) and water brushed on and allowed to dry, then painted with an acrylic meant for miniatures ought to work, followed by the same PVA/water solution as a finish coat. Try a figure and see.

Thanks Robert
I have tried some acrylic types of paint and they do coat but do not seem to 'bind' to the original paint. The Paint that the Factory applied seems to be a type of enamel. As you are probably aware these figures are soft plastic and can be bent with absolutely no cracks or pealing at all.
I like your idea of the PVA coat applied after the repaint.
I'll give it a go.

I think you mean Wizards of the Coast, not Wizkids. That might affect a search for repainting them. (The title had me scratching my head a moment.) I have a ton of the WotC SW figures, but have never repainted them--they do what I need them to do. I have even used them when playing Imperial Assault.

Hi Mister Tibbles.
I thought they were one in the same companies. The reason I'm asking is that I would like to do some alternate paint schemes like you see in the Clone Wars/Mandalorian etc.
Also would like to repaint the Black Bases all the figures came on.
Agreed they are terrific just the way they are to game with.

I have repainted quite a number of the WotC Star Wars minis and have had no problems when using the vast variety of standard wargames paints.

I have repainted a ton of those figures. No special primer. I always just used my normal acrylics and then used brush on Testor's gloss coat over the top of my paint. Then I hit them with Testor's dull coat to get rid of the shine.

The gloss coat is a little bit flexible and prevents chipping and then dull coat adheres to the gloass really well.

Never had an issue. They might not hold up to severe bending but should be good to go for normal gaming.

I use dirt cheap acrylics from Hobby Lobby and Michaels on them and don't have an issue. When I've used higher quality paints I've struggled more. Cream may rise to the top but poop floats too

They are probably painted with a vinyl paint. I would just hit the desired areas with gesso, then repaint when dry…

I repainted most of mine with Humbrol enamels, works well.

Legends, that is a great reason to repaint. I wasn't thinking about that!

Plastic spray primer might work if the paint is vinyl.

As smithsco, I've repainted tons of them with cheap craft paints and had no problems at all.

I do appreciate all the tips everyone has shared regarding my question.
I'll start with switching the paint I've been using and try another brand of Acrylic, if that doesn't work I'll start with the other painting tips offered here.
Thanks again.