How to Paint Resin Miniatures: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Painting resin miniatures is one of the most satisfying aspects of the hobby. The material's fine detail and excellent paint adhesion make it a joy to work with once you know the basics. This guide walks you through every step from unboxing to finished display piece.

Step 1: Preparation

Before any paint touches your model, preparation is essential:

• Wash all parts in warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid. This removes the mould release agent that prevents paint from sticking. Let parts dry completely.
• Remove flash — thin excess resin around part edges. Use a sharp hobby knife and work slowly. Resin is harder than plastic and requires more controlled cuts.
• Fill any gaps at joints with two-part epoxy putty or thick super glue with baking soda. Sand smooth when dry.
• Dry-fit everything before gluing. Check all parts align correctly.

Step 2: Assembly

Use super glue (cyanoacrylate) for resin — polystyrene cement will not work. Apply a tiny amount to one surface, press parts together, and hold for 10-15 seconds. For heavy parts, pin them: drill small holes in both parts and insert a brass rod for structural support before gluing.

Tip: Decide which parts to paint separately before assembly. Heads, arms holding weapons across the body, and separate equipment are usually easier to paint before attaching.

Step 3: Priming

Spray the model with a thin, even coat of primer. Grey primer is the most versatile — it provides a neutral base that works with both light and dark colour schemes. Black primer is useful for dark subjects (armour, dark uniforms) and white primer for light subjects (desert uniforms, bare skin).

Tip: Multiple thin coats are better than one thick coat. Thick primer fills in detail. Let each coat dry for 15 minutes before applying the next.

Step 4: Base Coating

Apply your main colours in thin, slightly diluted coats. Acrylic paints (Vallejo, Citadel, AK Interactive) work excellently on primed resin. Two to three thin coats will give solid, even coverage without obscuring detail.

Paint consistency: Thin your paint with water or acrylic thinner until it flows smoothly from the brush but is not watery. It should leave a semi-transparent coat — the primer showing through slightly is fine and will be covered by subsequent coats.

Step 5: Washing

A wash is diluted dark paint that flows into recesses to define shadows and bring out detail. Apply a wash over your base coat and let it settle into the folds, creases, and crevices. This single step transforms a flat-looking model into one with depth and definition.

Popular washes: Agrax Earthshade (brown) for uniforms and organic materials, Nuln Oil (black) for metal and dark equipment, diluted burnt umber oil paint for general use.

Step 6: Highlighting

After the wash dries, apply lighter versions of your base colours to raised areas — the tops of folds, edges, and surfaces that would catch natural light. This creates contrast and makes the figure look three-dimensional.

Technique: Mix your base colour with a small amount of white or ivory, and apply with a fine brush to raised areas only. Build up highlights gradually — subtle is better than stark.

Step 7: Details and Finishing

Paint the small details last: eyes, buttons, buckles, weapon parts, and insignia. Use your finest brush and take your time. These small touches are what separate a painted model from a masterpiece.

When painting is complete, seal the model with a matte varnish spray to protect the paint and remove any unwanted shine.

Essential Supplies

• Acrylic paints (Vallejo Model Color is excellent for beginners)
• Fine detail brushes (sizes 0, 1, and 2)
• Spray primer (grey)
• Wash (pre-made or mix your own)
• Palette for mixing (a glazed tile works perfectly)
• Matte varnish spray
• Good lighting (a desk lamp with daylight bulb)

Start Painting

The best way to improve is to start. Pick a kit from our collection of 13,000+ resin models, grab some paints, and begin. Every painter's first model looks rough — but each one gets better. Browse our bust collection for painting-focused kits, or start with an affordable infantry figure to practice the basics.