Third times a charm (i hope)
 

ive found the root of all my rigging problems

my paint weight changes arent being saved

you save the file close maya, then load it back up and the paint weights arnt saved

what do i need to do?

Thats real weird. It shouldnt

Anyhow, just got to Edit smooth skin and go to export weight maps. then it will ask to save then give the saved weight map the same name as the mesh. then you can reload if the problem keeps occuring

cheers
Jay

ill try it
cheers :)