"Painting 15mm Figures On Popsicle Sticks?" Topic

I have considered this before, but, have not tried it. Right now I just hold them in my hands. It seems as tough the stick method would be more efficient, and better than my current method for some parts. I have recently painted some 28s and 20s on their base and that was much easier. Just curious what people use to fix the figures on the stick. I would need something relatively durable for travelling around, but not too difficult to remove. Any help is appreciated

I have used this method for years. I use Aleenes Tacky glue to afix the figures. Works well with limited issues on removal with a hobby knife.

Years ago I picked up a length on wood about 1 inch by 1/2 inch. I cut it into around 12 inch sections. While I don't do 15mm, I do do 20mm. I'll use white glue to hold the figures in place. I prime and paint the figures on the stick. The two advantages over popsicle stick are greater length and a easier to handle.

After the figures are painted, I pop them off and use a dremel with a sanding wheel the clean off the stick and the underside of the figure bases.

When I first started painting I used Duco cement but when that got more difficult to find I changed to Elmer's white glue and have been using that ever since.

A second vote for Alene's Tacky Glue. It is thick, inexpensive, and has a "little give to it" when dry. To remove, I put the sticks on which the figures are glued in a shallow pan of water (just enough to lap over the top of the stick). After an hour or two, the glue has softened up enough to easily remove the figures and wipe off the residue from the bottom of the base with a paper towel.

Dab from a hot glue gun works well

Been using that method for years on 15mm and down. I usually use Elmer's or generic but occasionally a hot glue gun.

I use strips of thick card instead of popsicle sticks but the approach is the same. I stick the figures down with whatever is to hand, usually UHU. Prise them off again with a knife blade.

Been using tongue depressors (big popsicle sticks for a while, in the UK often sold as leg waxing spreaders). Stick figures on with UHU,or occasionally blutack. Awkward figures such as drummers, and the that require extra bling (mounted command) go on a Redgrass Games holder. Most suitably sized holder for 15mm figures I've found. Two part cavalry – horses on sticks, riders are held on airbrush clips until they are practically done. Glued onto their finished horses, then last details added.

I also use the bigger 'tongue depressor' sticks. I have tried longer pieces of wood with enough space for 20 figures and found them too awkward.

I use 'No more nails' or similar – it holds well but the figures can be peeled away pretty easily.

I usually have 8 infantry or 4 horses on a stick. I sometimes put the riders on the horses while painting, but if they have long spears sticking up they are more likely to get in the way. Long infantry pikes seem to be less of a problem – perhaps because there are more of them.

There tend to be optimum angles for placing the figures. If you have shields to paint, it is easier to have these placed for better access.

If the figures are multi-pose but have the same uniform, I try to put all the same pose together. It helps the production line . If the figures are to be painted with more random colours, then it depends how many figures I am painting. For something like my Gauls, the colour scheme on each stick was pretty much the same but then I mix in the figures from the 20 or 30 sticks to give a random look.

If bulk painting horses, I will also usually have a single colour for each stick. To remind me what highlights to use, the sticks are easy to label.

I use tongue depressors too. A blob of PVA glue holds 28mm figures, soaking the tongue depressor in lukewarm water softens the glue enough to remove the figure.

Like Swampster, tongue depressors have enough space to add notes/codes – usually a reminder that I have missed a colour from one figure in the production line.

I've also been using popsicle sticks and white glue for years. I write the the identity of the figures on the underside, in pencil. A gentle twist usually pops them right off of the stick, when done.

I use tongue depressors and hot glue.

I use the bigger craft sticks and glue 4 infantry using the tacky glue. Prime first on the sticks as well.

I too have used the popsicle and tacky glue method for many,many years. No problems as long as you don't put too many figs on the sticks. I only put what goes on a stand onto a stick, usually 3-4 foot or 2-3 cavalry max (in 15mm).

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the feedback. I have been painting the same way for over 30 years, just feel there is a better way. I'm going with the waxing sticks and tacky glue to start, I'll give it a whirl after the holiday weekend.

Large craft sticks and hot glue for me.

I use the bigger craft sticks and blue loctite mounting putty.

I tend to stick to 3 or 4, same pose per stick. Otherwise not enough room to get my brush where I need to. Elmers all purpose white glue for me. I'm lately more inclined to keep my batches smaller too.
Phil

Craft sticks and either white glue or double-sided mounting tape.

Best tip I was given is to wrap a strip of masking tape onto the craft stick/tongue depressor/popsicle stick first, then glue the figures to the tape. Way easier to take off the tape and pop the figures off that than trying to take each figure directly off the wood, and each stick gets multiple uses this way

Phil, that's genius.

I do this with my 15mm Peter Pig figures. A drop of Elmers on one of the wide craft sticks for each figure. You can put between 5-6 of them on each stick, (especially in the same pose), and get block painting done quickly, and you still have room to hold the stick.

I've always used popsicle sticks, even for 28mm figures. I glue the stick to a wine bottle cork.

I use sticks, and also bottle caps for individuals. Only problem with a stick is if the figures are too close together.

I've tried but don't like it. Now I put each figure on one of the tiles from the game Up Words, which are plastic 3/4" square and 1/4" high. I found most of my tiles from old games from Goodwill stores ($1-3 each for 30-40 tiles). But you do you!

Tongue depressors & white glue is what I use for 15mm as well as 28mm. Put 4 15mm or 3 28mm per stick, never had problem snapping them off the stick.
Paul

I've always used 1 gal. paint pot stir sticks. I put some double sided-clear sticky tape on the stick(s). Then press the figure down firmly on the stick. And voila! A paint shop that suits my need.

I use to paint figures on a stick.
But found it difficult to get a good complete paint job with full coverage. I needed 360 degree access.

So, I moved to painting figures glued to the bottom of little jars (specimen jars). That worked well, sometimes had difficulty popping them off, but not often. Used Duco or 527 glue.

But I mostly mount figures on washers, so I just made something to hold the washer and figure while painting
link

Good for 360 degree access, holds figures well, lets them go, and low cost.

I use plastic bottle caps, which are essentially free and are small and easy to rotate. I use small glue dots (the actual two-sided dots, and not tube or bottle glue) to put the figures on the caps. These can then be easily removed and are very easy to clean up. They also don't slop around or risk overwhelming the base of the figure. I've tried other things, including sticks, but the cap-and-glue-dot method has been best so far.

I use popsicle sticks for painting 15mm figures in uniforms, usually 4 to a stick so it's easy to get to every angle with your brush. If it has fine detail or needs individual attention, I Elmer glue them to flat roofing nails, which I stick in a piece of styrofoam. You can twist the roofing nail between your fingers easily to rotate the figure as you're painting it.

" Aleenes Tacky glue "

Don't use Aleene's Flexible Stretchable Fabric Glue, because you'll never get them off without a desperate fight ;-)
(I use AFSFG for basing minis… ;-)

Wow! looks like I had completely missed the boat with this one. Thanks again for all the responses, definitely giving it a try next week.

For me, 6 infantry and 4 cavalry seem to work on the popsicle stick. I've also used cardboard the same length and width as the popsicle sticks when I ran out of sticks. Normal white glue (Elmer's or similar in Poland) does the trick. I prime, paint and spray on a finish once I'm finished painting, pop the minis off after twisting the stick, base and flock – never had a problem.

Meself, tell my boardgaming friends to save the cardboard 'counter trees' that the pieces come attached to, chop them up and use them to mount figures for painting.

Attach figures to trees with Glue-All sometimes, mainly with double-sided 'poster tape' (UPC 0 51131 53405 6 for the 'Scotch' product)

I use popsicle sticks and a dab of rubber cement for each figure.
Works like a charm, does not permanently adhere to the wood or the figure, and easily peels off when you're done.

I used to use Elmers glue but once I started with Rubber Cement I never looked back. 100% easier.