Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Painting & Modelling => Topic started by: fsn on 27 May 2014, 05:29:41 PM

Title: Polyfilla bases
Post by: fsn on 27 May 2014, 05:29:41 PM
OK, you clever, clever boys and ladies.

Since I saw the light and turned my face away from the false scales and to the true Pendraken Scale (praise to the Dark Lord for his benevolence), I have been on a learning curve. One of the areas that I have been working on is basing. Up until the scales fell from my eyes and I beheld how Milady does gain her pleasure from 10mm, basing was always a tertiary activity. Cornflakes packets, Bostik, and a brush full of Airfix no 21 (yes, I still have some) and that was basing done.

Now under the kindly inspiration of the Dark Lord I have found the joys of flocking, but for my 60's/70's TV mashup game, I want figures standing on concrete. To avoid the "base bump", Polyfilla is the way to go, and I have been experimenting with various ways of application. This is no problem, but, I wondered, could I save myself some time by tinting the Polyfilla and so save myself some brushwork?

I know that you (the obligate ectoparasites in the Pendraken lady garden) are an innovative and clever lot, so has anyone tried using coloured Polyfilla?
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: fred. on 27 May 2014, 05:56:17 PM
You should be able to mix a bit of paint in fine.

I have found that polyfilla isn't great for basing as it tends to chip and break off rather easily. My current favourite is ronseal wood filler, if I am trying to bulk up the base, which comes in a variety of shades.
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: fred. on 27 May 2014, 05:57:15 PM
Quote from: fsn on 27 May 2014, 05:29:41 PM

I know that you (the obligate ectoparasites in the Pendraken lady garden)

:o
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: GordonY on 27 May 2014, 06:51:07 PM
I thin the Polyfilla with neat PVA, makes squidging it between figures a bit easier plus makes it stick to the MDF better as well.
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: Subedai on 27 May 2014, 07:28:18 PM
Should be okay using acrylic based paint. The Works are doing some acrylic colours at £2.99 each or two big tubes for £5 so check out the green and yellow.
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: Techno on 27 May 2014, 08:21:29 PM
Quote from: fsn on 27 May 2014, 05:29:41 PM
I know that you (the obligate ectoparasites in the Pendraken lady garden)

So...what are the designers then ? The gardeners in the shed, oiling the shears, I suppose.  ;)
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: WeeWars on 27 May 2014, 10:32:43 PM
I use coloured grout. It's not designed for a smooth finish as a wall filler is. It's sandy, gritty and comes in various shades of brown. I use a dark brown so you can leave the recesses without painting them if you like. Water and PVA can be added to a ready-mix but it can flatten an otherwise textured finish.
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: FierceKitty on 28 May 2014, 12:05:41 AM
I mix a dab of pigment into my epoxy bases as an security measure, lest the upper surface chip.
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: Sandinista on 28 May 2014, 06:25:00 AM
I used to use polyfilla mixed with PVA glue, sawdust and coloured with dark green powder paint, it still required painting. Main benefit was that when it chipped it was not white that showed through
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: fsn on 28 May 2014, 06:33:35 AM
Quote from: Techno on 27 May 2014, 08:21:29 PM
So...what are the designers then ? The gardeners in the shed, oiling the shears, I suppose.  ;)

He really doesn't get it does he?  ;)
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: Hertsblue on 28 May 2014, 10:14:52 AM
I always use Tetrion for basing - it's far stronger than Polyfilla, more flexible and it doesn't shrink. Wickes sell it on their website.
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: FierceKitty on 28 May 2014, 10:30:19 AM
Quote from: Hertsblue on 28 May 2014, 10:14:52 AM
I always use Tetrion for basing - it's far stronger than Polyfilla, more flexible and it doesn't shrink. Wickes sell it on their website.

Captain's log, stardate 2351. 64

We have been having trouble with the aft tetrion emitters, and have stopped off at the Filypolla system in the hope of finding what we need to effect basic repairs. I have given the entire command staff shore leave at once....
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: Hertsblue on 29 May 2014, 07:32:25 AM
Yeah, we always had a good laugh at Star Trek and their gypsum-based drive system.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Polyfilla bases
Post by: Dickie255 on 31 May 2014, 10:05:37 AM
A second vote for woodfiller but from Wilkinsons, as much cheaper than Ronseal etc