Basing a model is essential for completing the full, immersive look for your army. Many tournaments are also requiring that your models be fully painted with a finished base, so getting the most out of your army means you're gonna have to cover up those plain plastic bases with something. This no-frills guide to basing models is exactly what you need to get your army.
If you're here, you've probably picked up my business card, or picked up one of my battle-ready basing products, and this guide will show you the step by step process for its use, and extra steps you can use to liven up your bases if you want! If you haven't got my battle-ready products, these steps will work with any dry basing material!
Battle-Ready basing is intended to be used as is, so you can apply it to the bases of your already painted or primed minis! I recommend using PVA (white glue) rather than CA glue (super glue) for best results. Using a cheap basing brush, apply a relatively thick coat of glue to the base, taking care not to get too much on your model's feet! If you do get some on the feet, just rinse the brush and wipe it away from the painted surface.
Once you've got glue on the entire base where you want it, all you need to do is apply it. Put a paper plate or piece of paper beneath the model and using a scoop, spoon or just dump the battle ready basing on the glue covered areas of the base. You can also just dunk it in the container if you want. Once you have it fully covered, lightly tap the edge of the base to remove any excess material. If the material has larger pieces, you can press these into the glue firmly to make sure they're sticking. Return the excess to the container for later use and set the model aside to let the glue dry.
Once your model's base is dry, you're going to want to seal it in place. Using an eye dropper, pipette, or heavy bodied brush, apply isopropyl alcohol to the dry basing material. Then, water down some PVA glue, about 5:1 (with the consistency of skim milk) and apply it to the surface of the base. The alcohol will help the glue soak into the basing material and make sure it all stays in place!
With battle-ready basing, you don't need anything extra, but if you want to give your models a little more spice, click here to see more!