The first was miscast and (both) had this awful grainy texture, especially around the hair. Of course I tend to paint the hair at the last so that's when I found out. :(  The first version had his poor head stripped so many times later it was hopelessly scarred.  Since he was a commission I *had to get it done*.  So I raced out and choose the least flawed figure I could find in the local GW store's stock.  The staff at that GW know me and fear when I appear with a partially painted mutilated figure in hand. ;)

The second was treated with some very fine steel wool to cut down the graininess.  It turned out much like the first version, though a heck of alot nicer.