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How to Paint Adeptus Custodes — Step by Step Guide

Paints You Will Need

Step 1 — Assembly

Custodes models are large and detailed, making sub-assemblies essential. For Custodian Guard, keep the shield arm, back cloak or cape, and any plumes as separate pieces. For Allarus Terminators, consider keeping the arms separate to paint the chest and inner arm areas. Pin larger components with thin brass wire for a strong join when you assemble after painting.

Clean all mould lines meticulously. Custodes armour has large, flat panels where imperfections are very visible. Use a mould line remover and fine-grit sandpaper on the broadest panels.

Step 2 — Priming with Retributor Armour Spray

Use Retributor Armour spray to prime the entire model. This metallic gold spray gives you a complete primer and basecoat in one step. Spray in light, overlapping passes from about 25 centimetres away. Make sure every surface has gold coverage, including recesses.

If you do not have the gold spray, prime with a standard primer (Grey Seer works well under gold) and apply two thin coats of Retributor Armour base paint to all armour areas. The spray method is significantly faster for an army with this much gold.

Step 3 — Reikland Fleshshade Wash

Apply Reikland Fleshshade generously over the entire gold surface. This warm shade settles into recesses and gives the gold depth and warmth. Make sure it flows into every crevice, joint line, and ornamental detail. For an even richer look, use Reikland Fleshshade Gloss — the gloss version gives a more lustrous, polished finish appropriate for the Custodes’ pristine armour.

Let this dry completely — at least 45 minutes, preferably an hour. Do not rush this step. If you touch the model while the wash is still wet, you will leave fingerprints in the wash that create permanent marks.

Step 4 — Layering the Gold

Apply Auric Armour Gold to all the raised surfaces of the armour, leaving the Reikland Fleshshade showing in the recesses. This step is where the gold really comes to life. Auric Armour Gold is a brighter, warmer gold that creates natural depth when layered over the washed Retributor Armour.

Use a medium layer brush and apply the paint to the flat panels and raised edges, carefully leaving the darkened recesses untouched. Two thin coats give the smoothest result.

Step 5 — Gold Highlights

Edge highlight all the armour with Liberator Gold. This bright gold defines every edge and makes the ornate details pop. Focus on shoulder pad rims, helmet crests, chest eagles, greave edges, and gauntlet ridges.

For the final highlight, apply Stormhost Silver to the very sharpest points — the tips of the helmet crest, the top edges of shoulder pads, the points of decorative elements, and anywhere that would catch the most light. This silver highlight on gold creates a brilliant, gleaming effect that reads as polished auramite.

Step 6 — Red Plumes and Cloaks

Base the plumes and cloaks with Khorne Red. This deep red provides the shadow tone. Layer Mephiston Red over the raised areas of plume strands and cloak folds, leaving Khorne Red in the deepest recesses. Highlight the tips of plume strands and the edges of cloak folds with Evil Sunz Scarlet. Add a fine highlight of Wild Rider Red to the very tips and highest points.

For the inside of cloaks, paint them with Rakarth Flesh, wash with Agrax Earthshade, and highlight with Pallid Wych Flesh for a cream-coloured lining. This two-tone cloak adds visual interest and richness to the model.

Step 7 — Weapons and Steel

Paint guardian spear blades and sentinel blades with Leadbelcher. Apply Nuln Oil over the blade, then highlight with Ironbreaker and a fine edge highlight of Stormhost Silver. The contrast between the warm gold armour and cool silver weaponry makes both look better.

For the weapon hafts, paint them Abaddon Black and highlight with Dark Reaper and Thunderhawk Blue, or paint them Rhinox Hide for a leather-wrapped look, highlighted with Gorthor Brown.

Step 8 — Gemstones

Custodes armour features numerous small gems set into the gold. These are an opportunity to add colour accents. Base the gem with Screamer Pink, then apply Spiritstone Red Technical paint over the top while the base coat is dry. The Technical paint creates a natural glossy, translucent gem effect. For green gems, base with Warpstone Glow and apply Waystone Green Technical paint.

For a painted gem effect without Technical paints, paint the gem dark at the top (Khorne Red) and light at the bottom (Wild Rider Red), then add a small white dot near the top. This creates the illusion of a light source reflecting through a transparent stone.

Step 9 — Details and Leather

Paint leather straps and holsters with Rhinox Hide, wash with Agrax Earthshade, and highlight with Gorthor Brown. Paint parchment with Rakarth Flesh, wash with Agrax Earthshade, and highlight with Pallid Wych Flesh. Paint any visible skin with Bugman’s Glow, wash with Reikland Fleshshade, and highlight with Cadian Fleshtone.

Step 10 — Basing

Custodes look magnificent on ornate bases. Marble or palace floor bases suit their role as guardians of the Imperial Palace. For a quick marble effect, base with Celestra Grey, sponge on Ulthuan Grey, then add veins with a fine brush using Administratum Grey. Alternatively, dark rubble bases (Astrogranite Debris) create strong contrast with the gold.

For a thematic Terra base, use Agrellan Badland for cracked earth in shades of ochre, suggesting the surface of Holy Terra itself.

Alternative Colour Schemes

Shadowkeepers (Black and Gold)

Replace the all-gold armour with predominantly black armour trimmed in gold. Base the armour Abaddon Black, edge highlight with Dark Reaper and Thunderhawk Blue. Keep the gold trim, red plumes, and gemstones. The black creates a more sinister, secretive look appropriate for the Shadowkeepers’ role as jailers of the most dangerous creatures in the Imperium.

Solar Watch (White and Gold)

Replace the gold armour with white. Prime Corax White, shade recesses with Apothecary White Contrast, highlight with White Scar. Keep the gold trim using Retributor Armour. Use red accents more sparingly. The white creates a clean, angelic look that contrasts dramatically with the standard gold scheme.

Dread Host (Deep Gold and Red)

Use a darker, more aggressive gold. Base with Balthasar Gold instead of Retributor Armour, wash with Agrax Earthshade (not Reikland Fleshshade), and highlight with Retributor Armour and Auric Armour Gold. Increase the amount of red on the model — red shoulder pads, knee pads, and more extensive cloaking. The result is a darker, angrier Custodes scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make gold armour look rich and not flat?

The key is contrast. Wash with Reikland Fleshshade to create dark recesses, layer with Auric Armour Gold for brightness, and add Stormhost Silver highlights at the very tips. The range from dark recesses to silver highlights creates the illusion of gleaming, polished metal.

Should I use an airbrush for Custodes?

An airbrush is excellent for Custodes. You can spray Retributor Armour as a basecoat, then use a zenithal of Liberator Gold from above for instant highlighting. However, you will still need to brush-paint all the detail work. The airbrush mainly saves time on the basecoat and initial highlighting.

How long does it take to paint a Custodes army?

A 2,000-point Custodes army typically has only 20 to 30 models. At three to four hours per Custodian Guard and five to six hours per character or vehicle, a full army takes roughly 80 to 120 hours. This is comparable to other armies despite the lower model count because each model requires more attention.

What is the best shade for gold — Reikland Fleshshade or Agrax Earthshade?

Reikland Fleshshade gives a warm, clean gold suitable for the pristine Custodes look. Agrax Earthshade gives a dirtier, more antiqued gold. For standard Custodes, use Reikland. For Dread Host or battle-worn Custodes, use Agrax. You can also use both — Agrax in the deepest recesses and Reikland over the broader surfaces.

Do I need to thin metallic paints?

Yes, but less than non-metallic paints. Metallic paints contain metal flakes that can separate if over-thinned, creating a grainy finish. Add just a touch of water — enough to make the paint flow smoothly but not so much that the metallic particles separate. A wet palette helps maintain consistency.

For the complete Adeptus Custodes army guide including rules, lore, and list-building, visit our Adeptus Custodes army guide.

What is the quickest Adeptus Custodes gold recipe?

The quick recipe is Retributor Armour spray, a heavy wash of Reikland Fleshshade, a layer of Auric Armour Gold on the raised areas and an edge highlight of Liberator Gold. Add Stormhost Silver to the sharpest points if you have time. The spray means primer and basecoat are done in one step, which matters for an army with this much gold.

What colours are Adeptus Custodes?

The classic Custodes scheme is gleaming gold auramite armour with deep red plumes, cloaks and sashes, plus black weapon casings and coloured gemstones. Each Shield Host adds its own accents, but gold and red is the look most people recognise. In this guide the red comes from Khorne Red up to Wild Rider Red, and gems use Spiritstone Red.

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