The ones I got aren’t sealed - I figure a hot water soak and toothbrush scrub will get most of it off, and then I can re-prime them to cover the rest.
There are ways to minimize bad previous paintjobs. You can make the vehicle caked in mud after you paint it. This actually takes advantage of the previous paintjobs’ texture. On horizontal surfaces, you can stow crew gear, boxes or other items. You can add abblative armor plates from polystyrene sheet on major surfaces. This lets you start from scratch in some ways. Camo netting made from gauze can also hide many sins. Battle damage can be created on some surfaces to “explain” certain bad areas.
The two I hold in high regard are The Bolter and Chainsword and Bartertown.
But yeah, if we can keep this thread going for the next 38,000 years or so, that would be swell. 
It wouldn’t have to be 38K years. Just until the Dark Age of Technology ends and Cecil begins creating the first Adeptus Astartes.
I’ve been hanging out on IRC in a 40K channel to get additional advice, too.
I picked up a Spiritseer this week.
I’m thinking of running a 50/50 split of Iyanden Eldar with my Dark Eldar that I usually run. Just for a change of pace and a chance to paint blue and yellow instead of black and red.
I just painted up a Farseer for fun. I put it in the display case at the game store and keep forgetting to bring it home for photos. I also just finished assembling a box of Wraithguard with D-scythes. Sweet models. Espcially since $50 for five isn’t that bad by GW standards.
You have my respect for choosing Iyanden. Painting large areas of yellow is a bitch.
Back from Origins, spent too much on 40K stuff. Business as usual. Will try and snag some photos of my secondhand Marines soonish.
Hypno, do you know any tricks for painting large areas of yellow? I’m thinking I will base averlund sun, and highlight yriel yellow. But I don’t know what color to prime. I have grey, brown, black, white. I think white is obvious, but I’m not sure if it’s worth it to pick up a can of yellow.
Candid, well, what did you pick up at Origins?
Yeah, white primer definitely. I’m unfamiliar with the latest GW paints since I’m still using the previous set. But I would base coat with a less bright shade of yellow so that the brightest shade can be used for highlighting. One thing that really helps me is putting a glaze (not a wash) of yellow ink over it all to really make it vibrant. Beyond that, it’s all about the shading. I prefer scorched brown or a mix of scorched brown and (a tiny bit of) black. This can be sort of stark, but I like it that way. It’s gritty and realistic. On the GW site, it looks like they use a softer shading of dark flesh or whatever it’s called now.
I just noticed all the Iyanden stuff on the new releases page. The book looks cool, but I just don’t like their yellow minis. Too “toy-ish” and lacking in gravitas.
A devastator squad, two aegis defense lines, five GW paints - mostly washes; some spray sealer; a pack of Forgeworld Space Marine Heavy Weapons; and a buttload of bits - mostly focused on jump packs, legs, and heavy weapons.
Quick and dirty pics of the Secondhand Marines :
A good haul. The stuff looks like it’s in not too bad condition.
Finally got the pics of my farseer.
The pics don’t show the colors very well. The robe is black at the bottom fading up through blue to warlock purple at the top.
That is some nice freehand work on the stars! Very nice piece.
Thanks. I call him my Starseer. I originally was going to have a whole bunch of those stars all over the robe. But after doing a bunch of the simple dot stars and just the one fancy one on each side, I liked the effect. I guess sometimes less is more. I got the box of wraithguard and I’m going to continue the theme on them. The gray wraithbone for their main structure and the black-to-blue-to-purple with stars on their heads and warp vanes.
I don’t know if I would want to put the time in, but then again, I have Blood Angels, so the blue paint would do me absolutely no good.
CandidGamera, did you ever say what chapter you played? This thread has been going on so long, I must’ve forgotten.
That’s alright. I asked him twice months apart how he did the base work. And he answered promptly both times.
I’m a Blood Angels player as well, though I am planning to have some small ally forces - a dash of IG, a dash of Grey Knights / Inquisition, and some other SM chapter.
Sometime this week, I’m breaking out a basin and a toothbrush and seeing if I can clean up those secondhand marines.
Update on the paint removal : Dear lord, there are layers of paint on these things. I am literally unearthing strata. Warm water and a toothbrush work slowly, so I’ve moved on to option two : soaking in dilute Simple Green, then brushing. Will let you know how it works.