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How to Work With Resin Bits

A Complete Hobbyist Guide

Whether you're customizing a squad of gritty sci-fi troopers or building a full force of crusading zealots, resin upgrade bits give your miniatures sharper detail, more character, and infinitely more personality. But if you're new to working with resin, you might wonder how to prep, clean, or assemble it properly.

The good news? Resin is extremely easy to use once you know a few simple best practices. This guide covers everything you need to get the best results from your Resin Munitorum premium resin bits, from the first wash to the final coat of paint.

 

Why Resin?

Resin prints allow for crisp, high-fidelity details that traditional plastic simply can’t match. This makes it ideal for:

  • Characterful head swaps
  • Iconography and faction-themed upgrades
  • Weapons and equipment with realistic scaling
  • Custom conversions and kitbashing
  • Grimdark, sci-fi, modern, and wasteland aesthetics

Resin Munitorum’s components are made with state-of-the-art 3D printing, high-resolution and premium resin, giving you clean details that shine on the tabletop.

 

Tips for Working With Resin Bits

Using resin is simple once you’re familiar with a few hobby fundamentals. Follow these steps for the best experience.

1. Wash Before Use

Before assembling or priming, gently wash resin bits under warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap. This removes any remaining mold release residue, oils, or solvents from the parts.

Why this matters:
Unwashed resin can cause primer to bead or flake and weaken the bond of glue.

Pro Tip:
Use a soft toothbrush to lightly scrub pieces

2. Sand Gently Don’t Cut

Resin behaves differently from plastic. Instead of clipping directly through sprues or supports, remove them with a hobby knife or by gently sanding them down with fine-grit sandpaper.

Why this matters:
Using standard plastic clippers can put too much pressure on the part, leading to cracks or shattering.

Pro Tip:
Always cut away from the bit, then shave the remaining material flush for a clean finish with no stress marks.

3. Test Fit Before Gluing

Dry-fitting is your best friend. Position the parts together before adding glue to ensure the correct angle, posture, and alignment.

Why this matters:
Resin gives you access to more dynamic poses and sharp details, making alignment especially important for head swaps, weapons, and custom kits.

Pro Tip:
If two parts don’t sit perfectly flush, lightly sand the contact surfaces until they do.

4. Use CA Glue (Super Glue)

Resin does not bond with plastic cement. To assemble resin components, always use cyanoacrylate (CA) glue, commonly known as super glue.

Why this matters:
CA glue forms a chemical bond with resin, giving you a solid, durable connection capable of withstanding gameplay and transport.

Pro Tip:
For large joins or heavy bits, use a tiny amount of gap-filling CA gel to strengthen the bond.

5. Prime Before Painting

Resin must be primed before applying paint. Primer creates a surface that acrylics can grip, prevents chipping, and ensures smooth, even coverage.

Why this matters:
Raw resin can be slightly hydrophobic. Primer fixes that immediately.

Pro Tip:
When using rattle-can primers be aware that too much humidity in the air or drying space will negatively affect the primer finish.

6. Heat-Fix Warping

If a weapon barrel or small piece has a slight bend, you can correct it by dipping it into warm (not boiling) water for a few seconds, gently adjusting, and holding it in place while letting it cool in the desired position.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here’s what to watch out for so your build goes smoothly:

  • Using plastic cement instead of CA glue
  • Skipping the initial wash
  • Applying primer too thickly
  • Using side-cutters as if the bits were plastic
  • Overheating pieces during warp-fixing

Avoiding these pitfalls ensures your minis look crisp and last for years.

 

Ready to Upgrade Your Army?

With just a little prep work, resin bits give your miniatures unmatched detail and character. All Resin Munitorum heads, weapons, and accessories are 3D printed in premium resin, packed with care, and in stock and ready to ship. Perfect for hobbyists looking to elevate their next project.

 

Explore our full collection at ResinMunitorum.com and start building your next masterpiece.

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