Resin Prep & Cleaning — A Beginner's Guide to VoidHive Forge Models

So your VoidHive Forge model has arrived. The box is open, the resin is in your hands, and it smells faintly of something ancient and chemical. Welcome to the hobby. Before you reach for a brush or a pot of primer, there's an essential first step that many beginners skip — and it can ruin an otherwise perfect paint job: cleaning your resin.

This guide walks you through everything you need to do before a single drop of paint touches your model.

Why Resin Needs Cleaning

High-detail resin miniatures are cast using silicone moulds and a release agent — a chemical that stops the resin sticking to the mould. That release agent stays on the surface of your model after casting. If you prime or paint over it, your paint will bead, flake, and peel. Cleaning removes it entirely.

What You'll Need

• A bowl of warm (not hot) water
• Washing-up liquid / dish soap
• A soft toothbrush
• A clean towel or paper towels
• Optional: isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for a deeper clean

Step 1: Soak

Place your model parts in a bowl of warm soapy water and leave them to soak for 10–15 minutes. This loosens the release agent and any surface residue from the casting process.

Step 2: Scrub

Using a soft toothbrush, gently scrub every surface of the model — recesses, undercuts, and flat panels alike. Pay particular attention to deep organic crevices on VoidHive models; release agent loves to hide in chitin folds and between carapace plates.

Step 3: Rinse & Dry

Rinse thoroughly under clean running water. Any soap residue left behind can cause the same adhesion problems as the release agent. Pat dry with a clean towel and leave to air dry completely — ideally overnight. Resin is porous and holds moisture; painting over a damp model causes bubbling and poor adhesion.

Step 4: Remove Supports & Mould Lines

VoidHive Forge models are cast with care, but some mould lines and support marks are unavoidable. Use a sharp hobby knife or a set of needle files to carefully remove any lines or nubs. Work slowly — resin is brittle and can chip if you apply too much pressure. Always cut away from your fingers.

Step 5: Check for Warping

Thin resin parts (tentacles, blades, long limbs) can warp slightly during shipping. To correct this, submerge the warped part in hot (not boiling) water for 20–30 seconds until it becomes pliable, then gently bend it back to the correct position and hold it under cold water to set the shape.

You're Ready to Prime

Once your model is clean, dry, and prepped, you're ready for primer. A clean surface is the foundation of a great paint job — every hour spent here saves frustration later. In our next post, we'll cover priming and basing essentials to get your VoidHive model ready for colour.