1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Help Need to paint a fortress

Discussion in 'Painting and Converting' started by Killer Angel, Dec 14, 2019.

  1. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,941
    Likes Received:
    32,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    in the last days, I've worked on a massive construction for 40k, which i intend to use in Apocalypse games, or even in standard games but with particular rules.

    It's basically the walls of a fortress (if you have ever seen Boylan's Helsreach, you know what I'm talking about), built with various polystirene material (TV packaging, polystirene foams cut, polystirene food trays…).
    2 section, each wall is 46" long.


    The question is: how do i paint them?
    I've had in mind heavy use of spray concrete grey, then brush darker grey for details and some dark green for the upper parts (parapets and similar).

    However i've never painted polystirene, so i don't know how to proceed.

    I've heard advices that direct use of spray is problematic at best and the result would be unsatisfying for a number of reasons.
    So the suggestion to bypass the problem(s) is: create a soft paste with vinyl glue mixed with water and chalk / plaster, then place it all over the surfaces, to give:
    more weight to the terrain
    more resistance to polystirene
    a paintable / sprayable surface


    but i'm here to hear also YOUR advices… ;)


    here is the actual VIP:
     
  2. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,941
    Likes Received:
    32,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    FORTRESS WALL N. 1


    Fortezza 1a.jpg Fortezza 1b.jpg Fortezza 1c.jpg Fortezza 1d.jpg
     
    Warden, Cageyblood, Imrahil and 3 others like this.
  3. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,941
    Likes Received:
    32,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    FORTRESS WALL N. 2



    Fortezza 2a.jpg Fortezza 2b.jpg Fortezza 2c.jpg Fortezza 2d.jpg Fortezza 2e.jpg
     
    Warden, Cageyblood, Imrahil and 3 others like this.
  4. Erta Wanderer
    OldBlood

    Erta Wanderer Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    4,272
    Likes Received:
    9,766
    Trophy Points:
    113
  5. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,941
    Likes Received:
    32,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
  6. Erta Wanderer
    OldBlood

    Erta Wanderer Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    4,272
    Likes Received:
    9,766
    Trophy Points:
    113
    ah are you in Europe? that would make things a bit hard
    as for coverage a jare could cover about 1-1 1/2 sqare meters
     
    LizardWizard likes this.
  7. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,941
    Likes Received:
    32,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Yep, Italy. ;)
     
  8. Erta Wanderer
    OldBlood

    Erta Wanderer Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    4,272
    Likes Received:
    9,766
    Trophy Points:
    113
    gotcha well a simpler but more time consuming method would be PVA or craft glue and normal sand
     
    LizardWizard likes this.
  9. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,941
    Likes Received:
    32,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Well, i've got both pva and sand.
    How should i apply the mixture on the surface ?
     
  10. Erta Wanderer
    OldBlood

    Erta Wanderer Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    4,272
    Likes Received:
    9,766
    Trophy Points:
    113
    sand paper it and stick it with a fork give it a rough serfice to hold on to not big holes but break the serfice. then lay it out flat and put it on like paint with a old brush cover in sand flatten it out and let it dry it should hold up fine after that provided it's not to heavy
     
    LizardWizard and Killer Angel like this.
  11. Aginor
    Slann

    Aginor Fifth Spawning Staff Member

    Messages:
    12,249
    Likes Received:
    20,130
    Trophy Points:
    113
    The way I usually apply sand to surfaces is like this:
    - Make a mixture of PVA and water, 2:1 approximately.
    - Use an old, big brush to put it onto the terrain.
    - Just throw the sand on there. It should stick
    - wait until it is completely dry.
    - Paint with wall color from the DIY store. grey.
    - shade with thin mixture of black wall paint and water.
    - carefully drybrush with a brighter grey (mix grey and white).

    EDIT:
    Try this on a small part first, obviously. I use a finer styrofoam material so it might work differently on yours.
     
  12. The Red Devil
    Stegadon

    The Red Devil Defender of Hexoatl Staff Member

    Messages:
    986
    Likes Received:
    1,500
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Vallejo is a Spanish company, so it's just as easy to get their products in Europe through other websites.

    Though, for your intended purpose, I think using a pre-made solution for a larger area would quickly become expensive.

    As others have recommended, make a mixture of PVA (or if you want to make really large areas and looking for a cheaper solution, carpet/floor glue as it comes in 20L containers ;) and water.

    I would strongly recommend painting this mixture onto the polystyrene for several layers to ensure it is all sealed up, before gluing sand to the surface.
     
  13. pendrake
    Skink Priest

    pendrake Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,764
    Likes Received:
    5,022
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Test on an offcut piece. [ !! ]

    That ^ applies to whatever method is chosen.

    99% of rattlecan products applied directly to white packing foam will melt the foam.

    But there is one, just one, that I know of that will not: Rustoleum faux stone.

    [​IMG]
    Accept no substitutes !!!
     
    Warden and Killer Angel like this.
  14. pendrake
    Skink Priest

    pendrake Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,764
    Likes Received:
    5,022
    Trophy Points:
    113
    No idea if those Rustoleum rattlecans are available in Europe or Italy. But here is where to find out:

     
    Warden and Killer Angel like this.
  15. pendrake
    Skink Priest

    pendrake Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,764
    Likes Received:
    5,022
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Warden and Killer Angel like this.
  16. Warden
    Slann

    Warden Tenth Spawning

    Messages:
    6,463
    Likes Received:
    18,253
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Be careful with spray paint... depending on what kind you use, the spray paint will literally "melt" the Styrofoam. Test a small area first if you don't basecoat it with something first; but I would recommend giving it a regular-old coat of black/PVA layer first to seal in the little foam gubbins. Although some battle damage wouldn't be a bad idea either...

    It also makes me pleased to see the knight can literally look over the wall; almost like he is a titan...

    [​IMG]
     
    Aginor and Killer Angel like this.
  17. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,941
    Likes Received:
    32,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Yes, it was my intention since the beginning: a solid backup for the defenders. :D

    The knight needs a small platform to be raised to the needed level, but the result is threatening
     
  18. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,941
    Likes Received:
    32,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    IMG-20200102-WA0012.jpeg

    VIP .
    In the end i have decided to do a test on the first one with PVA, water and paper.
    The next step could be the placing of some thick paint..
     
    Aginor and Imrahil like this.
  19. Karnus
    Ripperdactil

    Karnus Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    459
    Likes Received:
    530
    Trophy Points:
    93
    I was going to suggest covering it in a paper-maché mix - good job! gotta love TV packaging for terrain!
     
    Killer Angel likes this.
  20. bOdziO Wolf
    Ripperdactil

    bOdziO Wolf Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    490
    Likes Received:
    1,381
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Did I guess right, Italy?
     

Share This Page