Ive got some wonderful magnetic bases that I will be putting all my tanks on. The Rhinos and such will go on 30mm x 20mm and the larger Land Raiders will fit onto 30mmx30mm.

The question is, Im not quite sure how I want to do it.

At 28mm, I base my models with PVA and sand, prime them, then paint away. However, as I am using much finer sand at 6mm, I plan on painting the models first (especially the infantry) and then putting the sand on with thinned PVA, then using inks to color the sand.

But with the tanks, Im not sure if glueing the model to the base before putting the sand on will look right. So I am considering putting the sand on first, then superglueing the tanks onto that.

Do you think the tanks will hold, or should I just deal with the tanks on first before the sand?

Sorry for being a moron on this

Personally, I wouldn't. If you're using fine sand the difference will be minimal and it will look like the tank has "weight". Also, putting the tank on top of the sand will look like it's floating on rocks. Tank tracks don't hover, they bite in.

Just my 2 cents from someone who bases his tanks too.

I base my tanks/etc. in the same gluing with the sand. Use a cheap paintbrush to paint on a modest coat of concentrated glue, drop the tank on, then sprinkle on the sand, then, holding the tank, let the sand fall off. This ensures good glue and flock coverage without the risk that some of the second coat of glue gets on the tank.

So far, PVA seems sufficient to keep the tanks affixed, especially to a wooden base.

Im using some bases by Shogun Miniatures, which are plastic dual-layered magnetic, so I think superglue for the tank would be the best. Since they are magnetic, I dont want to pull the model off when removing them from the tray

Im starting to wonder if my obsession with magnets isnt getting the best of me here...