So after looking at Sorastro's Videos and asking online here in the main IA forum, I decided to try my own hand at painting. I've not done painting in quite a few years but I did have some supplies left over from what I've done before. Here is a recap of what I've done so far, I don't have many pictures as I've been trying to work on the Stormtroopers and seem to have hit a small issue. I'm hoping to get it resolved.. I'm just not painting tonight as I'd like to fix this issue before I continue.

So far after looking online here is what I decided to buy.

Army Painter Mega Set 2

Army Painter Grey Spray

After getting in the paints I wanted to start painting as soon as possible, but weather around here has been quite cold, but I was lucky and was able to prime the figures Grey (Later I would regret this on some level) and then started painting.

I started with Darth Vader and the Imperial Droids. I did something that I think was helpful and that was use Lock-tight Gel Glue to reinforce the three little legs (one of each set of three was already broken off).

After putting a nice black down on these, I then did a dry brush on Vader and the Droids with a metalic from the army painter set (I'll get the actual name of the colors when I upload pictures in case someone wants to copy my colors).

I think the Vaders and the Droids so far have been my favorite to do as well as the ones that have come out the best.

Update: I've slowly started to get stuff finished to where even I am satisfied as well as my friend who's set I'm also doing. I've had some mistakes here and there, I've had to dip my own storm troopers twice as I would try something and it would not work out the way I thought and then I thought there was way to much paint on the minis.

Here are some new pictures some are still in progress but I like the results.

Or not as my iPad flicker doesn't like to give me the links, I'll post them here in a minute with the PC.

I'll post pictures of the Failed Storm Troopers but I'm thinking I need to strip them down and start over with a White Primer, any suggestions from those out there that have done that with miniatures of this nature?

Simple green is my go to for stripping metal minis.

I have no experience stripping PVC, but I'm reading recommendations on Dettol.

Simple Green seems to be the way to go, next step is also seeing if I can order another set from FFG.

Above was before, then these are after I thought the Purple was too dark, I then added some of the white lines but took this picture before.

First set of Storm Troopers, again took the pictures THEN found some flaws but haven't updated the pictures yet. Will do that later.

Nice work, good work on the heroes, im still too scared to start them yet. I found leaving the mouth of the stormtroopers white and using a Nuln oil wash to make them darker very effective

Nice work, good work on the heroes, im still too scared to start them yet. I found leaving the mouth of the stormtroopers white and using a Nuln oil wash to make them darker very effective

When I do mine I'm going to try just that, got them primed today and will base them possibly tomorrow.

Simple Green seems to be the way to go, next step is also seeing if I can order another set from FFG.

I always use castrol Super clean. Won't harm plastic at all. let it sit for 5-8 hours submerged then wipe/brush off with a old used soft toothbrush. Make sure to wear chemical gloves as the stuff can give chemical burns on skin/eyes.

Finally finished my sets, overall not to bad if I do say so myself, but I'm thinking of stripping my storm troopers again as they have some issues when you are looking in at the great detail and they don't have that "Sorastro" feel to them just yet!!

Nexu

The harry pickle!! (inside joke at our game Garghan is called the pickle!)

Probe Droids!

Fail Troopers

Guards

Put the stormtroopers in another bath of simple green tonight, going to wait until tomorrow to see if it can get through the restore varnish, f not will let them soak for even longer.

Good progress.

I think you could get a lot of mileage from washes. Games Workshop has a good range of pre-mixed options that are reliable, Secret Weapon washes are also an option (they just smell like bad soy sauce).

They would help pick up some of that detail on things like the Nexu but also help those tricky transitional and detail heavy areas (Nexu claws, trooper respirators etc.).

It's really all about practice though, the more time you spend at it the more confidently and accurately you can place paint, which is what it's all about.

I've got a Nuln Oil pot as well as Army Painters Washes from the Mega set, I just didn't use them on the Storm Troopers but not realizing how it will make the highlights POP when I do.

I've got some Vallejo white primer, and Army Painters Gray primer as well, will see if the weather can be nice the next few days for me to redo the troopers and Luke (forgot to check his eyes before I varnished him!)

Started redoing the Stormtroopers as well as getting the new Rebel Troopers all started. Will post pictures later, while I do like the Simple Green, I'm going to go try that Castrol Superclean and see if it can get to the root of the plastics as the Simple Green even after a day of soaking wasn't getting everything.