Modeling Basics 101: Paint

[Mr. Moparman]

Paint is a nesseity when it comes to models. There are many paints out there but to start you will only need a few. To start off, purchase a Testors Value paint set. It will include some basic colors, as well as a jar of thinner to get you started. While your at it purchase a value pack of brushes. It will have a range of brushes from small to large and will do most of the brush painting you will do for a while. Next, you have to determine what paint will work for you. Lacquers are now entering there way into the modeling world. They are way more durable, therefore harder to remove. They are good for bodies. Enamels are a good choice for detailing and interior work. Acrylics are about the same. Lacquer thinnner will take it all off.

Happy Building!

[Chas SCR]

I do not recommend putting parts or bodys in Lacquer thinner to clean them off! Purple power or Castrol Super Clean is a lot better to use and will take off every thing up to and also Urethane paints and clears.

[Longbox55]

With the hobby laquers, 91% rubbing alcohol will remove it very quickly, usually withing a few minuits.

[Scale-Master]

Paint is a nesseity when it comes to models. There are many paints out there but to start you will only need a few. To start off, purchase a Testors Value paint set. It will include some basic colors, as well as a jar of thinner to get you started. While your at it purchase a value pack of brushes. It will have a range of brushes from small to large and will do most of the brush painting you will do for a while. Next, you have to determine what paint will work for you. Lacquers are now entering there way into the modeling world. They are way more durable, therefore harder to remove. They are good for bodies. Enamels are a good choice for detailing and interior work. Acrylics are about the same. Lacquer thinnner will take it all off.

Happy Building!

Brandon,

Maybe if you posted some of your work along with these offerings of "how to do it" other people could see what level of results your suggestions might yield?

I am also curious if you are actually "practicing what you preach" or just compiling and parroting what you have heard or read elsewhere. Much of your info is incomplete and some is just plain bad advice.

Offering advice should come from actual working knowledge of the subject(s) at hand.

FWIW, I advise against those cheap brushes. Buy one or two good sable brushes and take care of them. Windsor Newton is a good and easy to find brand. You may have to go to an art supply store if your hobby shop does not carry a similar quality item.

I build quite a bit and do a lot of hand painting and a $7.00 brush will last me for 6-8 months of prime use before being relegated to less detailed tasks...

[Harry P.]

I agree with Mark regarding brushes. Those cheapo "value pack" brushes are cheap for a good reason: they're junk! They will actually make detail painting harder, not easier... because the brushes don't come to a fine point, they won't hold a point, and the bristles don't have the right "spring" to them.

Don't cheap out when it comes to brushes. Get a few good quality artist's sable brushes. They really are cheaper in the long run than the bargain-basement stuff, you'll get far better results, and if you take care of them correctly they will last for years. And they really aren't that expensive, depending on the brand name. Hobbytown USA sells a nice selection that cost roughly $4-5 bucks a piece. Money well spent, IMO.

As far as Testors enamels for detail painting... that's a personal preference. My personal preference is Model Master acrylics. Faster drying, cleanup with soap and water, no chemical thinners necessary (if thinning is ever needed a drop or two of plain old water works just fine).

Just a couple of tips from a guy who's been building models for a while now...

[MrObsessive]

Ditto on the brushes! It can get mighty aggravating when you're trying to paint with a cheap brush, only to have one of the bristles come out into your just painted surface!

Good brushes are probably one of your most important "tools" for model building.................don't try to go low buck only to have more frustration!