If so, for how long? I heard you don't have to do this with plastic miniatures, but aren't these a combination of plastic and resin?

I always give minis a wash before assembly and painting.

I would suggest you wash them prior. The plastics will still have some type of mold release that can make it harder to apply paint. Just a few minutes of prep time to ensure nothing goes wrong.

Some folks were saying this is like PVC plastic and there isn't really mold release agents on these. I just painted a layer of ulthuan grey on a stormtrooper leg to test with no issue, didn't even use primer either. I'd be more concerned about the oils on your fingers greasing up the plastic.

It doesn't hurt the model to give it a wash. If there is any chemicals on the plastic they can cause paint to flake off more quickly. I just dip in warm soapy water, quick brush with an old/cheap toothbrush, rinse, and dry.

Washing is about the long term durability of the paint job. You get a stronger bond with a clean surface.

Its important for paint and superglue.

I tend to give them a soak in warm soapy water and brush them a bit as I reinse them off.

To dry models quickly I recommend a centrifuge sling (a sock that you swing wildly about the room)

Never think you can get away with not doing it.

...

You might be lucky.

You might have paint not adhere.

You might think everything is fine until you spray a sealant and it all flakes off then...

You might not believe there is release agent, but unless you cast the model yourself you never know what has impacted it.

...

it takes 20 minutes and prevents heartbreak. Just a quick scrub with an old toothbrush or similar is all they need for the most part.

Never think you can get away with not doing it.

I’ve never washed a mini and have painted around 300-400 this last couple of years from GW, CMON & FFG, never had an issue.

But I always prime minis properly and sometimes use varnish, no chipping no or strange reactions so far.

I have never washed a mini (been painting them for 27 years - its probably quite scary how many I have done....) and wont be starting now.

Each to there own though :-)

First time ever in many years ive washed my minis yesterday with the core....no doubt these are now going to peel and crack like mad.

i had paint beading up when i tried to prime without washing them. if you thin your paints i would seriously suggest washing the models

15 minutes ago, bageldrone said:

i had paint beading up when i tried to prime without washing them. if you thin your paints i would seriously suggest washing the models

I had the same issue. I watered my paint about 1:1 and had the paint beading up. Adding more paint fixed it.

Think this way:

If your gonna spend many many hours assembling, detailing and painting a model, what is another few minutes washing it

I never wash anything except resin, but it can't hurt. You don't 'need' to though, especially not when you prime them.

44 minutes ago, ayedubbleyoo said:

I never wash anything except resin, but it can't hurt. You don't 'need' to though, especially not when you prime them.

Same here never wash any of my mini's and never had trouble

I always do really hot water and a toothbrush to scrub minis prior to priming. I don’t use soap on them, I just let the hot water burn all the lubricant off. I’ve not had a problem with primer adhering to minis with this method.

People wash their minis religiously...they think it's the most important thing and would never change. Other people are wash atheists and say there's no proof that it makes a difference and point to a lifetime without issues. Just like religion, some people aren't sure it works but figure why take the risk!

I ceremonially baptized my army before the painting ritual begins...maybe it just makes me feel better.

Unless it's Forgeworld, I don't bother washing.

Forgeworld is the epitome of "Wash it or regret it" but it doesnt hurt to wash all minis
Example of "regret it" - i bought a gargantuan squiggoth, "washed" it, painted the body and while doing the chassis i noticed a lot of paint chips. I didnt wash it very well apparently

CASE IN POINT:

You never know what has happened with a model before it gets to you...

... Superglue Fingerprint on pre-assembled part (its not the only one, but its the clearest)

I often wash, the weather was nice today and I was so excited to prime them, I forgot to wash them first after assembly the previous night

+1... I've never washed models before, but this time although most were fine, one or two had patchy areas which wouldn't take primer from my airbrush. Gave them a wash and was then fine.

On 23/03/2018 at 11:21 AM, bageldrone said:

i had paint beading up when i tried to prime without washing them. if you thin your paints i would seriously suggest washing the models