Leo Martínez
There are differing opinions on whether it is better to build a miniature before painting it. Some people say that it is best to assemble the whole model first and then start painting. However, others argue that this can leave some areas unpainted, as certain parts of the model may be harder to reach after assembly. On the other hand, some people find it easier to paint the model after it is assembled, especially when using super glue, as it sticks better to paint than paint does to the model. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal preference and the specific model being built, as some models may be easier to paint in their fully assembled state, while others may require partial assembly to access all the details.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting before assembling | Easier to paint hard-to-reach areas |
| More time-consuming | |
| May need to scrape paint off joints before gluing | |
| Painting after assembling | Easier to prime the model |
| Faster | |
| May leave some visibly unpainted areas | |
| Super glue adheres better to unpainted models |
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What You'll Learn
- It's easier to paint miniatures in parts, but assembling first is standard practice
- Gluing after painting ensures all areas are painted, but gluing before gives a better hold
- Priming miniatures is important, but it can be tricky to do after assembling
- Some parts are easier to paint separately, like shoulder pads and backpacks
- Metal and resin miniatures need washing, but plastic miniatures usually don't
It's easier to paint miniatures in parts, but assembling first is standard practice
There are differing opinions on whether it is better to build a miniature model before painting it. Some sources say that it is standard practice to assemble the whole model first and then start painting. However, others argue that it is easier to paint the model in parts, as assembling it first can leave some areas unpainted, especially small details.
Those who prefer to assemble the model first might argue that it is easier to paint the model once it is fully constructed. This way, you don't have to worry about leaving certain parts unpainted or dealing with the challenge of painting around already glued pieces. Additionally, painting the model after assembly ensures that the paint job is consistent across the entire model, with no visible seams or unpainted areas.
On the other hand, those who prefer to paint the model in parts argue that it provides better access to intricate details and small areas that would otherwise be obstructed if the model were fully assembled. For example, if you fully assemble a box of sniper scouts, their legs and weapons would get in the way of painting certain areas like the inside of their collars or the back of their necks and heads. By painting these details first and then assembling the model, you can ensure that every part of the miniature is painted to your liking.
While it may be easier to paint the model in parts, assembling it first can be a more straightforward approach, especially for beginners. Painting a fully assembled model may require more precision and skill to navigate around the different components, but it simplifies the overall process by providing a clear understanding of the model's structure and avoiding the need to work with individual parts.
Ultimately, the decision to paint a miniature model in parts or assemble it first depends on personal preference and skill level. Both approaches have their advantages and can be effective ways to create a beautifully painted miniature.
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Gluing after painting ensures all areas are painted, but gluing before gives a better hold
There are differing opinions on whether to glue a miniature before or after painting it. Some people argue that gluing after painting ensures that all areas of the miniature are painted and easily accessible. On the other hand, gluing before painting can result in a stronger hold because the glue adheres better to the model than to the paint.
Those who prefer to paint before gluing argue that it is challenging to paint certain areas once the model is assembled. For example, if you glue the head of a miniature in place before painting, it will be difficult to paint the inside of the collar or the back of the neck. Similarly, the legs of a miniature might get in the way of painting internal details, and weapons can obstruct access to the chest area. Painting first also allows for better access to details and can make the task feel less daunting, especially for beginners.
On the other hand, those who prefer to glue before painting argue that it results in a stronger hold. Super glue, for instance, adheres better to the model or plastic than to paint. Additionally, if you are using plastic cement, it slightly melts the plastic, fusing the pieces together. However, if you choose to glue before painting, you must ensure that the mating surfaces are free of paint for the glue to adhere properly.
Some people suggest a combination of both approaches. They recommend building most of the model, painting it, and then gluing on the remaining pieces. This allows for easier painting of the majority of the model while still achieving a strong hold for the final pieces. Another suggestion is to use Sticky Tac or Blu-Tac to temporarily hold pieces in place before painting. Once the painting is complete, you can remove the Tac and glue the pieces together, resulting in a stronger bond than gluing through coats of paint.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to glue before or after painting depends on personal preference and the specific model being assembled. Some models can be fully assembled and painted, while others may have areas that are impossible to reach once assembled. It is essential to consider the advantages of both approaches and choose the method that works best for your project.
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Priming miniatures is important, but it can be tricky to do after assembling
Priming miniatures is extremely important as it allows the paint to adhere to the model. Without priming, the paint may run off the miniature as you apply it, or it may chip off easily after painting. However, priming can be tricky to do after assembling the miniature, as certain areas may be hard to reach.
Some people prefer to partially assemble the model, paint and prime it, and then finish assembling. This can make it easier to access all areas of the miniature during the priming and painting process. However, this approach may be more challenging for those with less experience, as it can make the task feel more overwhelming.
On the other hand, assembling the entire model before priming and painting can leave some areas unprimed and unpainted, as certain parts may block access to other areas. This can be especially tricky when dealing with intricate details or small spaces.
To overcome this challenge, some painters use a technique called "assembly-line painting," where they paint each part of the model individually before assembling it. This allows for better access to details and ensures that all areas are properly primed and painted. However, this technique may not be necessary for all models, as some areas that are left unpainted may not be visible anyway, especially when viewed from a distance.
Ultimately, the decision to prime and paint before or after assembly depends on the specific model and the painter's preference. Some models may be fully assembled and painted without issue, while others may have areas that are difficult to access. Experienced painters may find it easier to prime and paint after assembly, while beginners may prefer to partially assemble the model first to ensure better access during the priming and painting process.
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Some parts are easier to paint separately, like shoulder pads and backpacks
When it comes to building and painting miniatures, there are differing opinions on whether to paint before or after assembling. Some people suggest that it is best to assemble the whole model first and then start painting. However, others argue that this can leave some areas unpainted, especially those that are hard to reach, like the insides of collars, the backs of necks, and small areas around the chest.
One approach to overcome this issue is to partially assemble the model, paint it, and then complete the assembly. This allows for better access to details and smaller areas. For example, leaving off the backpack, shoulders, and weapons until the end can make it easier to paint the rest of the model without obstruction. These parts can then be glued on separately, ensuring that all areas are painted adequately.
Some people even suggest painting all parts individually before constructing the model, which provides the best access to all details. This method, however, may feel more daunting to beginners and can be time-consuming.
Ultimately, the decision to build before or after painting depends on personal preference and the complexity of the model. For intricate models with many small details, it may be more convenient to paint certain parts separately, like shoulder pads, backpacks, and weapons. This ensures that all areas of the miniature are easily accessible for painting and that no section is left unpainted due to overlapping parts.
Additionally, using a small piece of sticky tac or blu-tac on the contact points before gluing can be helpful. Painting the model as usual and then removing the tac will expose the metal, pewter, resin, or plastic, forming a stronger bond than gluing coated surfaces together.
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Metal and resin miniatures need washing, but plastic miniatures usually don't
When it comes to building and painting miniatures, there are varying opinions on whether to build or paint first. Some people suggest that it is best to partially assemble a model before painting to ensure that overlapping parts do not prevent you from painting all the nooks of the model. On the other hand, some painting guilds recommend assembling the whole model first and then starting to paint.
When it comes to preparing miniatures for painting, it is essential to wash metal and resin miniatures to remove any residue from the manufacturing process. In metal casting, talcum powder is used as a mould release, and resin casting uses an oily substance between the resin and latex, which can interfere with the paint and primer adhering to the miniature. However, plastic miniatures usually do not require washing before painting. This is because plastic injection moulding typically does not use mould release, so there is no residue to remove. Nonetheless, if your plastic miniatures have been sitting out for a while, you may want to wash them to remove any accumulated dust before priming and painting.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the model and your personal preference. Some models can be fully assembled before painting, while others are impossible to paint once fully assembled. Partial assembly before painting can make it easier to access all the details of the model, but it may also make the task feel more daunting if you lack experience. Ultimately, you should do whatever works best for you.
Assembling the whole model first ensures that all the parts are securely attached before painting. However, it can leave some areas unpainted, especially in detailed or intricate models, as it may be harder to access all the nooks and crannies.
If you choose to paint before fully assembling your model, you can use Sticky Tac or Blu-Tac to temporarily attach pieces that will be glued together later. This allows you to paint the pieces separately and then remove the Tac to expose the bonding surfaces for a stronger glue joint.
Yes, you can use super glue, which will dissolve primer enough for a good joint. Brush-on super glue is recommended for accuracy, and the movement of the bristles helps mix the glue and primer. Alternatively, you can scrape the joint area with a craft knife to expose the bonding surface.
