Grots! (Part 1)

I recently bought some 2nd hand grots. And yes, I already had a bunch, why did I want these? Well, this particular range was released as part of the Gorkamorka line as Rebel Grots. A year or so later they were incorporated into the 40k line with the transition of the 3rd Edition of that game. For some reason I never got any of these while they were readily available. And with my plan to divide and expand my Orks into separate divisions themed around the clans, it makes sense to have some corresponding grots.

I thought it might be neat to show how I prep the bases on metal miniatures like these.

As with a lot of metal miniatures with slotta-bases, often times there is a gap remaining. It is often wise to fill in these voids to avoid the appearance of strange dips and holes next to their feet.

An unprepared grot.

I have found that the best way to do this is with PVA glue. To be specific, I use Elmers Multi-Purpose Glue. But before you start dumping your sticky white goo into the hole, you need to prevent that stuff from oozing all over the place. A small strip of clear tape (I used Scotch Magic Tape in these examples) along the bottom of the slotta-base does the trick.

Magic Tape applied.

Next I start filling it with PVA glue. Ultimately this will dry clear in time, but it also shrinks. Sometimes I have to apply glue a few times before I am happy with it.

Fill it with glue!

I have ten of these grot buggers drying now. I will likely need another round of glue before I can apply the gravel. A few models had some bigger rocks added to their base to help create a feeling of environment.

...What is the plural form of an assembly of Grots? 

Here they are a few days later with the grit added to their base and with black primer applied. In hindsight I probably should have snapped a pic prior to priming them, but I think you get the gist...

Primed and ready....for paint! 

I painted up their bases all the way, as well as the bases of those three Plague Marines that are lurking in the background. I like to paint bases at this stage as I tend to be a bit sloppy with this stage and didn't want to repaint the main model if I didn't have too.

Sandy bases painted. 

Whenever Part Two happens I should have a clan color scheme picked out for these gits.