Top 5 Tips for Using Army Painter Speedpaints | Faster Mini Painting Without the Fuss

Speed up your mini painting with these top 5 tips for using Army Painter Speedpaints—perfect for quick shading, bold colours, and clean results.

If you want strong colours, decent shading, and fast results, Army Painter Speedpaints are a great option. But like anything in the hobby world, there are a few tricks to getting the most out of them.

Here are 5 practical tips to help you avoid common mistakes and get solid results—whether you're painting tabletop minis, terrain, or 3D printed models.

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1. Prime in white, off-white, or light grey

Speedpaints are transparent by design—they work best over a light undercoat. A white or off-white primer gives you bright, punchy colours. If you want a moodier, muted effect, go with light grey. Avoid black unless you’re going for a very specific look—it’ll just swallow the colour.

2. Let each layer fully dry

Speedpaints reactivate if you layer too soon. That means if you slap on another coat while the first is still drying, it can lift and smudge. Be patient. Give it at least 30 minutes between coats—longer if your workspace is humid or cold.

3. Use a damp brush—not a wet one

Too much water on the brush can thin Speedpaints too far and cause pooling. A lightly damp brush helps you control flow and coverage without turning it into a wash. Wipe off excess water on a paper towel before dipping into the paint.

4. Tidy up with a detail brush

Speedpaints love to run into recesses. That’s great for shading, but it can also mean messy edges. Keep a clean detail brush or cotton bud nearby to wick away any overflows while it’s still wet. It’s easier than fixing it later.

5. Don’t skip varnish

Once you're happy with your work, seal it with a matte varnish. It protects your paint job and prevents accidental reactivation if you ever go back in with other paints. Rattle can or airbrush—your choice.

Bonus Tip:

Speedpaints can be great for terrain too—especially wood, stone, or bone textures. Just apply generously and let gravity do the shading.

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Whether you're batch-painting a whole goblin army or just want to give your 3D printed terrain some quick colour, Speed paints are a solid option. They won't do all the work for you—but with a little care, they’ll save you loads of time.

Got a favourite Speedpaint combo? Share it with us on Instagram and tag us @Potshots.uk Check out our terrain section if you're looking for practice pieces:👉 https://www.potshotprints3d.com/