Painting Metal Figures

First, I know NOTHING about figures. Zero, nada. So take my advice with that word of caution.

I suspect the primary difference is that metal parts (or figures in this case) need a coat of primer that will adhere to the metal. Not all primers will adhere to metal so you need to insure that it does after it cures.

For the metallic armor, and other metallic areas, my preference would be Alclad. They have to be airbrushed but the quality of the metallic appearance exceeds anything else I've used.

I primarily work with metal miniatures. Basically the process is like this:

1) Remove flash and scrape mould lines away with an exacto knife or small file.
2) Wash the figure in soap and water
3) Prime - I use Krylon primer, there are a variety of options for priming that all work well. Brushing on artist's gesso works well also. Some people just "prime" with a coat of black or white acrylic paints
4) Pain as per usual
5) For the armour, the easiest way is to paint it blak and then give it a heavy dry brush of a metal colour. Then go back and lightly do the most raised parts and the edges in an even lighter colour
6) finish the base as you like
7) seal with a matte sealer

For more info than you want:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/games/miniatures/painting-faq/

Blake-ditto what Nathaniel said but also avoid handling the figure with your bare hands as finger oils can remove the paint-you can buy cel aniamtor gloves or just wrap your hand with a good quality cotton hankie!

Thanks for the pointers guys. Please excuse my ignorance but can someone explain drybrushing in detail to me or better yet just give me a link to a website that describes it.

Thanks,
Blake

Blake-dry brushing is a technique that needs more than description-it needs practice. Even a seasoned dry-drusher can screw up if they get impatient. Use unthinned paint and an absorbent paper palette-like a cheap paper plate is good. Dip your brush in the paint-barely-and then wipe off any excess paint. Then just barely brush the highpoints of your figure. Be patient and build colours slowly. Did I mention be patient??

trowlfazz - It sounds complicated. I will have to check out nathaniel's link and do some reasearch on drybrushing.

Thanks again,
Blake

Blake-it just sounds complicated-just practice. There are alternatives such as pencils, too! I use toothpicks, q-tips, airbrushes, watercolor pencils, drafting pencils, sandpaper, pastel chalks, my fingers and even brushes to do the job. You'll learn it all in good time (well maybe some bad times, too).

I will be painting a Tamiya 1/16 German Elite before this guy so I will get some practice. I might even buy another Andrea figure that is a little less complex so I can get the hang of painting armor. I want to be patient and not rush into this figure and have the painting turn out bad. This is a magnificently sculpted figure and I would like to have it painted that way.

BTW - Here is a link I found that has pictures of how the figure was sculpted.
http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6365&st=0

Blake-those Tamiya figures are well-moulded and inexpensive. I've built that one-the camo will be a good challenge for you. As far as Andrea figures go-I could easily spend my 401K on them. Good luck and good link!!

Edit: the nice thing about metal figures is that years from now as your skills have improved you can strip the paint and redo with sharper skills.

Well, I emailed Squadron about when the figure would ship and they emailed me back to let me know that the figure is out of stock and my order will most likely be cancelled. What kind of service is that. I guess I will get a more newbie friendly figure. Anyone have any in mind that are from the medieval era that can be ordered from Squadron. Less that $30 btw.

Blake-Squadron has been good to me but they will generally not let you know your item is out of stock-it just won't show up! They will not charge you of course but unless you had called you would not know. I say stick with the 1/16 figures for a while-Tamiya and Dragon have good cheap ones. Verlinden has a huge range but they are resin and pricey-but very good (even some fantasy stuff). BTW-resin will make you post many more questions!

Edit: the Black Prince by Verlinden might be up your alley-but it's a little more than $30 USD.

trowlfazz - Thanks for the response. Do you know of any 1/16 medieval figures that are cheap?

Edit: The only reason I am asking about medieval figures is because they interest me more than WWII figures and I want the practice for that Andrea figure.

Blake-Verlinden has some nice figures for around $27-$30 USD. They are resin and are 1/16. Pegaso and Andrea have metal figures in 54mm-about 1/32 and are equally priced. I mentioned earlier about the "Black Prince", which I just finished-a great kit but resin is a new can of worms! I suggest 1/16 as they will be easier to paint but resin will involve a few unfamiliar steps-but you can do it-and the detail is great! I also recommend Verlinden's Napoleanonic series-especially "The Field Commader". Available from, excuse me, cough, Sqaudron.

I really like that Black Prince figure from Verlinden. I might have to get it. How hard is it to paint. Looks like it only requires a few colors.

I like these three figures from Verlinden.

Blake- I recall using steel, brass and black (although black does signify a range of colour). Also some reddish brown and grey blue. Had some fit problems with the torso-waist joint-but a little putty helped that. Wish I had a camera to send a pic but I hate cameras. There are no decals-I had to hand-paint the insignas-I also used very little blood. There is also a 'complimentary' character to make a vignette.