How to Dip Wargames Factory Plastics & Old Glory Figures

Minwax makes a water-based formula (contains Ether -- stay away from open flames, when using) which has very little odor. The oil/spirit based formulas have a strong odor which lasts for years. The water-based formulas have almost no odor, when dry. The water-based formulas also dry within an hour, where the solvent-based formulas can take days to dry, depending upon temperature and humidity conditions.

Any dark color will work: Tudor (black) is the most commonly recommended color to use, but I prefer Royal Walnut, myself. Experimentation may be necessary, but I lean into the darkest colors for the best effects. Tudor (black) is too dark for me, but it does work well enough, overall.

The Dip's effects are stunning. Here is an example, showing the same figure, with simple block painting, and freshly brushed on Royal Walnut urethane-stain. Here is a lineup of the Cyclops figure set, matted, ready for battle.

Simple block painting, followed by The Dip Technique, is one of the fastest painting methods: I average 10 minutes, per figure, using assembly line painting techniques, followed brushing on The Dip, and a matte clear coat.

The fastest technique I've heard of, is using Army Painter Speedpaints: average of two minutes per figure, or five times faster than my approach! The Speedpaints also produce better results than The Dip! Check out Wyloch's Speedpaints video, and the comments section, where I asked him to compare Army Painter Speedpaints to The Dip Technique… Cheers!