Print a Chaos Space Marine 3D Model and Paint at Home

In this Instructable, we will show you how to print, assemble, and then paint a Chaos Space Marine 3D model at home, using simple tools. The 3D model was created based on a picture. It stands 25 cm tall.

Download the STL files for the 3D model and print them on your 3D printer. The files are provided in STL format. They have been corrected in Netfabb and are error-free. You can handle the files in any slicing program. We used CURA 15.06 slicer.

The model is broken down into 6 separate parts, to ensure that the model prints accurately and doesn’t use too much material for support. Support is used for overhangs.

We printed Chaos Space Marine in red PLA material, simply because PLA material is more affordable.

Now that you have all the 3D model’s separate components printed on your 3D printer, you want to remove the support material carefully.

You don’t want to rush when removing support from any 3D printed object, as just a small inaccuracy can ruin the entire model.

Since Chaos Space Marine armor is adorned with small and even tiny elements and details, we paid special attention and were very careful when handling the model while removing support.

Assembling the 3D model is not difficult. There are specially designed slots where the parts must connect.

Use glue if you want to give to your 3D model more durability.

Check the video and see where each part goes.

Use sanding technique to smooth out the surface of the 3D model, if required. Sometimes, the 3D models print with small defects. In this case, you will want to even the surface and thus smooth out all the small holes and defects that are on the 3D model’s outer shell.

In our case, Chaos Space marine 3D model printed clean, without any defects. So we didn’t use any smoothing technique.

The primer is the white spray or paint that helps mask some more defects of the model and enables the adherence of the paint to the 3D model.

Apply 3-4 coats of white primer on your 3D model. It also covers the color of the printing material, creating the perfect working surface.

Leave the model to dry for several hours. It is even better if you leave it for an entire night.

There are different painting techniques: airbrushing, hand painting. We used the more affordable one – the hand painting technique.

Tools you will need to paint a 3D printed model:

- White primer spray or paint;

- Acrylic paints (you can also use oil paints);

- Spray paints;

- Paint brushes of different sizes;

- A palette for mixing colors;

- Glass or any other recipient for water, to dilute paints.

You can buy all this materials from your

Note: Don’t use too much water with the paint, as it turns into a runny fluid that can create a mess. Also, the runny fluid tends to gather/accumulate in the 3D model’s line printing patterns which also can ruin the final look of the model.

When painting, try to paint all parts of the same color. Take breaks when switching colors. This ensures that the model dries well and that the 2 or more colors won’t mix. You don’t want that.

Use small brushes for tiny details, such as face, armor details, and other small elements.

Here's a timelapse video of the entire painting process of Chaos Space Marine 3D model.