How to Paint the BattleTech BattleMaster Premium Miniature

Quick Answer

Paint your BattleTech BattleMaster Premium Miniature by cleaning, priming, basecoating, shading, drybrushing, and adding details. This guide walks you through each step for a clean tabletop finish.

Step-by-Step Painting Process

1. Clean and Assemble: Remove mold lines with a hobby knife or file. Wash the miniature in warm soapy water to remove release agents. Let it dry completely before priming. Check for leftover mold lines on the back of the legs and under the arms.
2. Prime the Miniature: Use a spray primer in a well-ventilated area. Apply thin, even coats from about 12 inches away. A light gray or black primer works well for most BattleTech color schemes. Hold the miniature by the base to avoid touching primed surfaces.
3. Basecoat the Main Armor: Paint the largest panels (torso, legs, arms) with your chosen base color. Use two thin coats to get smooth coverage. Let each coat dry for at least 10 minutes. Avoid pooling paint in the recessed panel lines.
4. Apply a Wash or Shade: Coat the entire model with a dark wash (e.g., Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade). Let it flow into the panel lines and joints. Wipe away excess from raised areas with a damp brush. If the wash pools on flat surfaces, wick it away immediately.
5. Drybrush Highlights: Load a dry brush with a lighter shade of your base color. Wipe most of the paint off on a paper towel, then lightly brush over raised edges and armor panels. Repeat with an even lighter shade for sharper highlights. Test the brush on your hand first—too much paint will streak.
6. Paint Details and Weapons: Paint the PPC barrel, medium laser muzzles, and cockpit canopy with metallic or bright colors. Use a fine-tip brush for the canopy. Add a small dot of white or yellow to simulate a glow. A steady hand and a small brush help keep details crisp.
7. Finish with a Matte Varnish: Spray or brush on a matte varnish to protect the paint job and reduce shine. Let it cure for 24 hours before handling the miniature during gameplay. Avoid gloss varnish on armor panels—it can wash out your highlights.

Products Used in This Guide

• BattleTech: Premium Miniature: BattleMaster: The BattleMaster enters the field. Its combination of a PPC and medium lasers make it revered across the Inner Sphere. The weapon pods on the arms and torso give you clear targets for metallic or glowing effects, helping the model read well on the tabletop.