Sunday, December 11, 2011

Prime Directive

I just finished cleaning up and priming 220 Knuckleduster War of 1812 figures.  From left to right there are 5 36 figure US units (3 regular Infantry, 1 Rifles and 1 Militia) and 1 40 figure British unit (Glengary Lights).

The figures came in really good shape and had little flash.  Other than straightening rifles/bayonets there was very little clean up required.  I prefer to do priming in large batches as it's much more efficient.  Here are my steps

(1) Clean up flashing and sand bases flat - make sure each figure can stand on it's own.  I also add brass rod flag poles during this step.

(2) Wash the figures in warm soapy water and leave out to dry

(3) Attach to 20mm square base with super glue.  The bases will be magnetized later on so I can group the figures in either 4 or 6 man stands.

(4) Prime.  I prefer to use white primer.  I use a very basic and cheap primer from Lowes (a US Do-It-Yourself store chain).  I let the primer dry at least 24 hours before starting to paint.  In the case of these figures it will be a bit longer.

(5) Try not to operate heavy machinery or sign binding legal agreements while high on paint fumes (this last step is optional but highly recommended)

I'll start painting these gentlemen on 12/20 as they will be my primary source of material for the Second Annual Analog Hobbies Painting Challenge!  Lets see, the challenge runs from December 20th to March 20th so that's roughly 90 days or 2.44 figures a day.  Hmmm, given my current glacial rate of output is closer to 0.1 figures a day I may need to up production speed!


10 comments:

john de terre neuve said...

Hmm.........220 figures.

Oh my

Phyllion said...

220 28mm figs? Wow, I thought my pledge of 100 was ambitious!

Best of luck with it...

DeanM said...

Keen to see these painted up. I've perused the Knuckle Duster site several times and their stuff looks very nice. Best, Dean

Christopher(aka Axebreaker) said...

Well, at least your organized which is more then I can say. I have no idea what I'll start painting for the challenge as my mood changes from day to day! Looking forward to following your progress.

Christopher

Ray Rousell said...

Good grief, I better start cleaning a few more figures!!!!

jmilesr said...

We'll see if all 220 get done in time. I suspect nit but lets see how motivating the painting challenge proves to be. In any event it will be a lot of fun

Miles

Curt said...

If you don't spare the lash they'll get done. Oh wait, right, you're painting these... Strike that. ;)

MiniMike said...

That's though intimidation.
I surrender...

Doc Smith said...

You certainly do like a challenge. Lemme see, Glengarry - I'm thinking Scots and plaid @ 28mm - yep, that's a challenge alright!

Paint up a storm Miles!

Cheers,
Doc

Ian said...

Just so you know, it was your blog that got me interested in this project, I joined just at closing time. Good luck and hope you have all your prep work done.

Ian