Miniature Painting: Cleaning you models

To paint a great miniature, the preparation starts way before you even get to holding a paintbrush.

Every model, be it resin, plastic or metal, will have mould lines and flashing. Mould lines can usually be found around the outside of the model. This is where the two parts of the mould meet, and a small amount of the casting material leaks between it. Most models have this, but it varied how bad it is between the manufacturers, and even the casting runs.

Flashing is slightly different. This is again excess casting material, but this comes from the supply pipes inside the mould. When the models are removed, some don’t have a sprue that some people may be accustomed to (Games Workshop models for example come on plastic frames, whereas Hasselfree miniatures just come in a little bag, model only) Flashing does not really apply to sprue models as you remove these from the frame yourself. On single miniatures however there may be protrusions from where the model has been take from the mould.

Both mould lines and flashing need to be cleaned away before you start to paint the model. Leaving them will greatly deteriorate from the finished look of the model. Even when I paint to tabletop standard, I make sure that all the lines are removed. All you need to do is take a file and start to carefully and gently run the file over these imperfections. Let the file do the work, and don’t press down to hard or you will take away detail from the model, or even cut a deep gouge into it, both of which are very difficult to fix.

When you have done this, wash the models in some warm soapy water and let them air dry. Put your undercoat of choice onto your miniatures, and then take another look to see if you can see any mould lines. If you missed any, now you can remove them here and touch up the undercoat with a brush.

This may take quite a while depending on the models in question, but is well worth the extra effort. This step alone will make your models look better when finished, as even a high end paint job can be spoilt by a errant mould line. Just remember, be careful with the file, as you can always file more away buy you cannot easily, or if at all, put it back.