what do you do?

[bandit.93]

What do you guys use to paint your model cars?

[MrObsessive]

Cody, I mostly use an airbrush for painting. In fact, the model I use is a Badger Crescendo 175. I've had it since '93-'94 and haven't had any trouble with it except to replace the needle bearing.

I airbrush because this gives me a little more control when it comes to how much paint flow and how fast.

Some paint with cans.............and they're very good at it-----it all comes down to preference in what works best for you.

[Jairus]

A Q-tip and a rusty nail, but I understand that this is generally not for everyone....

[dub]

So that's what you weathered car guys use! Seriously, being a newbie to the painting thing, I've found that hobby spray lacquers are by far the easiest to use and the most forgiving. Tamiya, as always, are excellent(surprise!). Testors Model Master enamels are decent too, but do require longer dry times. I'm not ready to invest in an airbrush yet, but I definitley WILL be adding one to the arsenal of tools before too long. My builds will only get better with it. I'm sure crawling before walking is the best way for me though.

[LVZ2881]

I agree with Jonathan....Tamiya spray cans are very easy to use, and you get a pretty good finish right out of the can.

Testors Lacquer system painys are also pretty easy and give a good finish, but I find more overspray from these then the Testors enamels or Tamiya's..

you could also look into the Duplicolor auto touch up spray cans from autozone, or other parts store, they may be easier to find than hobby paints, since there is usually an auto parts store every few blocks..

[bobss396]

I have 4 airbrushes, one new in the box as well. So what do I paint with? Rattle cans of course. My model area is a bit close quartered and I have no spray booth yet.

I agree on the HOK (not the W-Mart KK line), Duplicolor, Plastikote (for 1:1 cars) and of course the Tamiya sprays. I'm not a big Testors or Model Master fan.

Bob

[Mike]

An airbrush and the ol' trusty paint brush for detailing.

[FloridaBoy]

I'm also a model railroader, and am lucky enough to live alone, now, so I have a very well stocked work room which used to be a spare bedroom. I use a variety of air brushes, spray cans, bottle paints dry brushed on, and detail paints with fine brushes. I also use Sharp Tipped Markers for some detail work that is way too fine for any brush I may have.

When it comes to interiors, I am experimenting with everything now, including texture paints, metallics topped with dullcote, tans, bone colors, etc, all for that suede or leather effect. I always use flocking on the floor pans, except for funny cars and gassers, hahahaha.

I am just now getting into molding my own parts from resin and would like to start to learn to photo etch soon.

Believe me, I have been around for a long time, and to me with everything that is available out there, it is so good to build a strong good looking model car.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[Billy Kingsley]

Tamiya, Model Master Lacquer (MML), Testors/MM enamel, and the occasional use of Black Gold/House of Color and MCW for me, all in rattle can form.

I can't use automotive lacquers due to my mom's asthma, and I don't own an airbrush.

I USED to brush paint everything, if I painted it at all, which I didn't always do.

[Gregg]

We're supposed to paint them?

Dang

Knew I was doing something wrong

You would think that the editor of a model car magazine would actually build and paint models, go figure......

:-)

I use House of Kolors lacquers airbrushed, Tamiya spray can lacquers, and Dupli-Color car touch up spray cans.

The trick is you have to seal the body so the lacquers won't attack the plastic, except of course for the Tamiya sprays, which can go directly on the plastic, and actually come out better in my unhumble opinion

two cents, change please....

[kurth]

I airbrush testors mm enamels, MCW, and cobra colors lacquers on bodies. I really like the control you get with an airbrush. I have also had good luck with Duplicolor touchup paint, in a spray can, The duplicolor cans have a nice button/nozzle assembly that gives control and coverage much better then any other can I have used. I like to use different paints for different reasons. Testors enamels are easy to find and I've learned how to get a good finish with them, but are tempermental. Lacquers are easier to work with but a little harder to come by.

For things other then a body I like to use Tamiya and Gunze sangyo acrylic paints. I like the easy clean up. I use tamiya spray paint for things like semi-gloss black or flat black to paint parts when I don't feel like getting the airbrush out. I try to airbrush or spray paint everything.

When airbrushing or spray painting I always use my spray booth and a respirator

I have had better luck brush painting after getting a paint shaker. It makes a HUGE difference. I also use sharpies for some small things, I find them easier to control then paint brushes.

It really all comes down to what I am painting, but most importantly, the availability of the color. If the color I want is only available in a spray can, or in the testors acryl line, that's what you have to use. So I find it useful to be able to use anything.

[LDO]

I'm a plumber.

[ScaleModelFan]

I always use a bucket and a broom to paint my plastic ... a scale bucket and broom ... of course!

I have had really good results with the old rattle cans ... Testors and Tamiya.

[Billy Kingsley]

The trick is you have to seal the body so the lacquers won't attack the plastic, except of course for the Tamiya sprays, which can go directly on the plastic, and actually come out better in my unhumble opinion

Gregg, I've been saying that for years...And have been routinely told that I'm crazy, by some highly respected modelers!

Go figure.

That is the only way to go with Tamiya, unless you do body modifications, which I rarely if ever do!

[simonr]

For my painting, like my good pal, Bill, I mostly use a Badger Crescendo 175T, going from the small tip to the Large to the bodies. Sometimes I switch to me Testors Professional model for detail and acrylics. The good amount of tips/needle combo gives a real nice control an variety.

For paiting, like much of you, lacquers of any tipe, from the Tamiya, House of Kolors, Gunze's Mr. Color, Alclads, Finishers, etc. Even due I use them a little bit, I use some enamels aswell like the Model Master's and the good old small bottle testor's enamels. In the water base deparment, my choice are Gunze, Testors and Tamiya Acrylics. In the past I have had experimented also with nail polish inspired by the great Custom models modeler Ted Lear.

To me thr ise of spray is almost null, just use the black like flat and semi-gloss when I'm in a hurry(like most modelers)

Simon Rivera

[Mad Slammer]

I'm a plumber.

Hey, I'm a Telephone Guy. . .

:lol:

Paint? . . . What Paint?

:blink: :blink:

[PatRedmond]

PlastiKote primers, Tamiya and DupliColor sprays and/or various avtermarket bottled airbrush paints like HOK, Cobra Colors, Rainbow Colors, ICI Auto Color, DuPont.

USUALLY Future floor wax for the stuff I clear coat.