Post by CmdrKiley on Aug 1, 2012 19:30:07 GMT -5
For those of you interested. The Dust minis come Pre-Primed, that is they are pretty much the same soft plastic as what you find AT-43, Heroclix or Star Wars Miniatures to be like. However the overall quality of the figure (aside from some bendy weapon barrels) is pretty much in line with AT-43 figures. However these figures are coated with a layer of flat paint.
This allows them to cut the cost in labor and lower their price point a bit, gives a simple color coordination (Allies Olive Green, Axis = Grey, Soviets = Khaki, just like in the sandbox), and not alienate those who would rather paint figures on their own and not pay for substandard paintjobs. The coating is flat and works very well as a primer.
Some figures will still have some mold lines and really requires a very sharp razor blade to clean up. However, most I have didn't really require much clean-up. The bendy barrels are sort of a double edge sword. If they were stiff like hard plastic or pewter, they'd break or be disproportionately large diameters to make them game table robust. Some of these are not too bad and can be straightened by hold them in place and applying some of the super thin cyano-acrylate glue (the formulation for wood models works best, not the thicker general purpose stuff that is used on plastics and metal) to them and a quick shot of accelerant (be careful not to glue your fingers). Some of the bigger ones (like Panzershreks) will require dipping in hot water, bending and then dipping in cold water.
Some of the models have decals, or stencil painted marking on them. Mostly factions logos, like white stars and balkencruzes. Others have logos to identify them as specialists like heros or medics. Most likely you will have to paint over them. I've seen some people even go as far as masking the symbol and painting everything else around it. Decals are generally pretty readilly available, especially if you have some extras from building 1/48 scale WWII tanks and vehicles. Dust Models also sells some really nice ones, and there are a host of other 3rd party companies that make 1/48 or 28mm WWII armor decals, like Company B.
If you're looking for ideas on painting you Dust armies, follow my blog as I show off more of my collection.
This allows them to cut the cost in labor and lower their price point a bit, gives a simple color coordination (Allies Olive Green, Axis = Grey, Soviets = Khaki, just like in the sandbox), and not alienate those who would rather paint figures on their own and not pay for substandard paintjobs. The coating is flat and works very well as a primer.
Some figures will still have some mold lines and really requires a very sharp razor blade to clean up. However, most I have didn't really require much clean-up. The bendy barrels are sort of a double edge sword. If they were stiff like hard plastic or pewter, they'd break or be disproportionately large diameters to make them game table robust. Some of these are not too bad and can be straightened by hold them in place and applying some of the super thin cyano-acrylate glue (the formulation for wood models works best, not the thicker general purpose stuff that is used on plastics and metal) to them and a quick shot of accelerant (be careful not to glue your fingers). Some of the bigger ones (like Panzershreks) will require dipping in hot water, bending and then dipping in cold water.
Some of the models have decals, or stencil painted marking on them. Mostly factions logos, like white stars and balkencruzes. Others have logos to identify them as specialists like heros or medics. Most likely you will have to paint over them. I've seen some people even go as far as masking the symbol and painting everything else around it. Decals are generally pretty readilly available, especially if you have some extras from building 1/48 scale WWII tanks and vehicles. Dust Models also sells some really nice ones, and there are a host of other 3rd party companies that make 1/48 or 28mm WWII armor decals, like Company B.
If you're looking for ideas on painting you Dust armies, follow my blog as I show off more of my collection.