Riot Quest Starter Set – Assembling and Preparing for Paint

Riot Quest’s single-player starter set (PIP 63001) contains the following characters:

  • Sir Dreyfus
  • Dez
  • Gubbin
  • Bamfist
  • Eiryss

Step 1 – Unpacking & Cleaning

I start by unpacking the contents and check to see if anything is missing. I remove flashing and mold lines from the parts. Once the mold lines and flashing are removed, I transfer the parts to a tub with a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water, soaking a couple hours. Soaking the parts in this manner will dissolve any mold release stuck on the parts and lightly etch the material to help the primer stick. Note: Metal parts may discolor.

Next, I scrub the parts using a brass brush. I am fairly aggressive in doing this. I want the surfaces to be lightly scuffed up and any mold lines I missed to be removed. After scrubbing, I transfer the parts to a wire cauldron and rinse with water. I separate the parts for assembly and allow to dry.

Step 2 – Determining Where Pins are Needed

The next step is to determine where pins are needed. Pinning adds strength to joints and helps the parts to stay together when gluing. I will be using 1/32” brass wire to pin joints as needed. I will also determine if there are any weak points in the parts by gently pressing on any sections that look weak. If a part gives, I cut and add a pin. Only one part gave, which is Sir Dreyfus’s lance at the tip.

Step 3 – Adding the Pins

I use the following tool and materials:

  • Pana Vice
  • Pin Vice
  • 1/32” Drill Bit
  • 1/32” Brass Rod
  • Sanding Stick
  • Hobby Knife
  • Flush Cutters
  • Hobby Pliers

I use a pair of flush cutters to cut Sir Dreyfus’s lance. I then use a sanding stick to make sure the pieces are flat and will glue flush. I proceed with drilling 1/32” diameter holes in the joints noted, clamping the parts in my Pana vice as needed. For joints that I don’t pin, I use a hobby knife to score cross hatchings to help glue adhere to the joints. I would have liked to added pins to the joints on Gubbin and Eiryss, but the parts are too small.

Step 4 – Assembly

We are now ready to start assembling the miniatures. I use the following tools and materials:

  • 4” Quick-Grip Clamps
  • Hobby Needle Nose Pliers
  • Super Glue
  • Cork
  • 1/32” Brass Rod

I opt to leave the shield arm off of Sir Dreyfus to paint separately. I attached Sir Dreyfus’s shield arm to a 1/32” Brass Rod and then pin to a piece of cork. Using super glue, I assembly the miniatures in two stages clamping as needed and allowing 30 minutes for the glue to set up between stages.

I finish gluing the miniatures after the glue has had time to set. On Gubbin’s and Eiryss’s arms, I hold onto the parts when gluing and give them a sixty count.

Step 5 – Filling the Slots in the Bases

Next I fill the slots in the bases. I use the following material:

  • Magic-Sculpt Sculpting Putty
  • Wax Paper
  • Sculpting Knife
  • Hobby Knife

I use sculpting putty to fill the slots and clean up using sculpting and hobby knives. At this time, I also use the putty to reinforce joints and repair any molding defects. I only found one minor flaw on Sir Dreyfus’s shield arm and no joints that need reinforced.

Step 6 – Texturing the Bases

After the Magic-Sculpt has had a chance to set up, I like to add texture to the bases. I use the following tools & materials:

  • Rocks
  • Tacky Glue
  • Old Paint Brush

I glue a couple rocks to the bases of Sir Dreyfus and Dez. I only add rocks to the miniatures with medium size bases.

Once the tacky glue has had a chance to set up. I use the following tools & materials:

  • Sand
  • Glue-All
  • Old Paint Brushes

I apply glue to the parts of the base I want texture using an old paint brush. Take care not to get too much glue near the feet of the miniatures.

After applying the glue, I dip the base of the miniature in a tub of sand. After dipping the miniature, shake off any loose material and use a knife to move any rock away from the miniature’s feet. Let the glue dry before trying to remove dust from the miniature.

Step 7 – Preparing the Bases for Primer

Once the glue holding the sand onto the bases is dry. I use the following materials:

  • Wooden Sewing Bobbin (Hand Hold)
  • Sticky Tacky

I attach the miniatures to a hand holds using sticky tacky.

Next I apply a primer to the sand. I use the following materials:

  • Grey Gesso
  • Old Paint Brush

Using an old paint brush, I apply Gesso to the sand. Gesso sticks to the sand and the primer coat will stick to the gesso.

Step 8 – Masking off Joints

I am going to paint Sir Dreyfus in two pieces. I need to prevent paint from adhering to the joints. I use the following tools & materials:

  • Liquid Mask
  • 1/32” Brass Pin
  • Old Paint Brush

I insert a 1/32” pin (no glue) into the hole I drilled earlier. Using an old paint brush, I apply liquid mask to both sided of the joint. I will remove the liquid mask after painting, then glue the joint.

Step 9 – Priming the Miniatures

I now do a final check for mold lines and flashing. I remove anything I find using a sanding stick and hobby knife. Once complete I remove any dust from the miniature with compressed air and move over to my paint booth. For my level two painting, I like to use black, grey, and white primer. When I do level one painting, I generally prime black and grey or just black.

I am now ready to prime the miniatures. I will use an airbrush to apply primer to the miniatures one at a time using the following materials:

  • Vallejo Black Surface Primer
  • Vallejo Ghost Grey Surface Primer
  • Vallejo White Surface Primer
  • Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver

Note: I will be using a 1:1 ratio of primer to flow improver.

I apply black primer to the lower side of the miniatures and the back of Sir Dreyfus’s shield arm. I clean out my airbrush.

Next, I apply ghost grey primer to the middle and upper parts of the miniature. I then add black to the existing mix and spray just the backside of the miniatures opposite of where I will spray white. I clean out my airbrush.

I finish by lightly applying white primer to the top of the miniatures. I clean and my airbrush.

Next, I take Sir Dreyfus and I apply black primer to the area behind his shield arm using a brush.

The miniatures are now ready to be painted.