If you want to take your hobby to the next level, painting your plastic models is a great way to do it.The process of painting intricate details can be time consuming, but it is rewarding and fun.Working from your largest coats of paint down to the smallest details on your model, using a combination of brush and spray painting to layer colors.Take your time.If you use an even hand and overlap your brushstrokes, your models will come out beautifully.Use quick spurts of color to apply coats evenly.You will be able to produce elegant models in no time with enough practice.
Step 1: The painting process can be made easier by using acrylic modelling paint.
Modelling paint is the standard for most model enthusiasts.It is easy to work with and can be thinned with water.It is not as durable as spray paint.If you have a special need for durability, use acrylic paint.It is easy to touch up the paint if it fades.If you ever spill paint, you can use water to clean it.If it dries before you have time to clean it up, use dish soap and water.Purchase modelling paint at a store.
Step 2: If you really need a durable finish, use a paint that's made of melanese.
A stronger coat is left behind when modelling paint is applied.If you don't use an acidic solvent like paint thinner, you will not be able to clean the paint.A permanent finish that won't easily wear away is what you want.Depending on the finish that you are trying to achieve, the amount of thinner you need to make the texture softer is dependent on it.A thin coat will be created by using a small amount of thinner, while creating a mixture of 1-part enamel and 1 part thinner will create alucent color.
Step 3: Synthetic brushes can be used to keep your bristles clean.
Natural or plastic brushes tend to oxidize over time.Synthetic brushes tend to hold their shape well.Smaller synthetic brushes are less likely to split when you make smaller brush strokes, which is a requirement for painting plastic models.You can get a set of synthetic brushes in a variety of sizes.Plastic models can be painted with synthetic sable or fox hair brushes.If you prefer, you can use a high-end natural hair brush.Unless you are a veteran model painter, you won't notice much of a benefit.
Step 4: Unless you are painting a model made of multiple materials, you should skip primer.
Primer can fill in engravings and make your model thicker.If you aren't handling your models regularly, then you will not need the extra protection.Unless you plan on touching your model frequently, you should skip the primer.Primer will help produce a uniform color if your model is made out of a variety of materials.If you need toprime a surface, use a white spray primer.Hold the can 10–12 in (25–30 cm) away from the model and spray in quick, even strokes until you have covered the entire model.Wait 24 hours for the primer to settle.
Step 5: Make sure you mix your paint thoroughly before pouring it.
When they sit in a bottle for a long period of time, the paints tend to separate.To mix the paint in the container, always use a mixing stick or spare brush.Before pouring it on your easel, mix it for 30 seconds.Add small amounts of paint with a dropper.Your colors come out evenly when you mix the paint.Some of the red may be lighter or darker than you think, if you don't mix it up.
Step 6: Before painting your models, clean them with water and soap.
If you want your paint job to be free of dust and contaminants, you need to clean your model.Add dish soap to the bowl by filling it with warm water.Before submerging your model, mix the water and soap together.Use a clean toothbrush to brush it.You can wash your model under water and then dry it with a cloth.The plastic model is coated in a chemical to keep it's shape.Your model will have a better finish if you brush off the agents and resins.If you prefer, you can submerge your model in alcohol.
Step 7: Use a few strokes to paint base coats.
Pick the color that you want to use for the base of your model to begin painting.To remove excess paint, load your brush with your base color and wipe it back and forth on your easel.As little as possible, apply your base coat over the areas that you want to paint.Hold your brush at a slight angle and make each brush stroke as large as you can without brushing a part of the model that you aren't trying to cover.A flat brush is used for larger surfaces.The surface that you are painting must be smaller than the tip of the brush.A 1–2 in brush is appropriate for models less than 30 cm.The size of the brush is a matter of personal preference.You can paint the entire model if your base coat is a lighter color.You can easily cover the surfaces you have painted with the other paints.Try to avoid painting other surfaces of the model if the base coat is a dark color.It will take many coats to cover the base coat.Determine what color your base coat will cover the highest percentage of your model's surface.This is the base coat's color.Some models have instructions for which colors to use, but you can always pick your own.There are no wrong or right choices when it comes to selecting colors.It is up to you!
Step 8: To get an even coat of color, overlap your brush strokes.
If you want to avoid gaps between the brush strokes, overlap each one.You will miss small areas in between the paint strokes if you try to place each brush stroke perfectly against one another.If you want your colors to come out evenly, overlap each stroke.You will be spreading the paint out before it has an opportunity to dry.You will have to wait for the coat to dry before you can add more color.
Step 9: Wait 24 to 72 hours between coats to let them dry.
Give the paint time to settle after you finish your base coat.The range for when the paint will dry is from 48 to 72 hours.The amount of time it takes for your paint to dry depends on the thickness of your coat.If you want to blend colors, you can paint while the paint is wet.
Step 10: After painting the base coat, you should be able to work your way down to the smaller layers.
Add your next biggest layer of color after you finish your base coat.If you want to avoid having to work around smaller brushstrokes, work from larger layers to smaller layers.Continue to use as few brush strokes as possible, and use a smaller brush to cover smaller layers.Ensure that the coat comes out evenly.The blue uniform is the base layer for a model police officer.The skin tone will be the biggest section of color, followed by the silver buckle and buttons, and black details on the uniform.
Step 11: Use short strokes to apply the details with your brushes.
Add your details once you have added your key layers of paint.Carefully apply small lines, textures, or shadows with the thinnest brush you have.Load the tip of your brush to avoid adding too much paint.Do not put paint where it doesn't belong.It is easier for some people to keep their hand steady if they brace it on a table or small stack of books.The best way to prevent a stroke is to maintain a steady hand.Don't be hard on yourself.It can take a lot of practice to learn how to paint small details.The more you practice, the better you will get at it.The round brush is used for smaller miniatures.The brushes are small.Larger models can be painted with a 1 or 2 brush, which is only slightly larger than 32 in (0.09 cm).
Step 12: Before you apply translucent or texture colors, thin your paint.
Thin your paint before applying it if you want to add dirt, blood, dust, or something else.The paint is thinned with water.When mixing paint, start with a drop or two of thinner.Continue to add thinner until you achieve the look you want.If you want to see how the paint looks, put it on a blank sheet of paper.Add paint or thinner if you don't like the texture.If you are painting a small model, use droppers to mix small amounts.If you want to thin out paint for a texture, you don't need much more than a drop or two.
Step 13: The toothpick can be used to carve grooves or add tiny details.
Pick up a toothpick with a sharp point.The toothpick can be used to remove small sections of paint.The tip of your toothpick can be dipped into paint to apply small specks of color.If you want to add shadows, use a cotton swab instead of a toothpick.This creates a shadowy effect without adding too much paint.
Step 14: When you are done painting, wash your brushes.
When you are done painting, fill a cup with your cleaning solution.Water and paint thinner can be used to clean your brushes.To remove the majority of paint, wipe your bristles against the side of the cup.After most of the paint is gone, rinse your brushes under warm water.Don't push your bristles into the cup.Your brushes can be damaged by this.You can preserve your brushes by rubbing them on the bristles.A lot of money will be wasted if you don't clean your brushes.
Step 15: Before painting, use spray paint to create base coats.
Use spray paint to create a uniform texture for your key base coat if you plan on painting a single color.If you want to cover a large surface area with a uniform color, spray paint is the easiest way to do it.Standard spray paint can be used to paint plastic models.It is important to read a can to make sure it is not designed for wood, metal, or surfaces other than plastic.A combination of spray paint and brush painting is used to complete larger models.
Step 16: Work in aventilated area outdoors.
If you inhale a lot of spray paint, take your model outside.If you can't take it outdoors, open all of the windows in the room, turn the fan on, and grab a dust mask.If you are working outside, you don't need a mask.If you need to apply large sections of color or add a base coat, spray paint will not work.Although spray paint is a great way to cover larger models, brush painting is the most common model-painting method.Some examples include model planes, boats, cars, and ships.If you want to keep your fingers clean, wear rubber gloves.There is a tendency for spray paint to splatter.
Step 17: Place your pieces on a piece of paper or cardboard.
There is a large sheet of paper or cardboard.You can put your model on top of the paper or cardboard.If your model is not assembled yet, place the pieces in the center between each piece.This will prevent spray paint from hitting your floor, yard, or table.You should paint the details after you assemble your item.Base coats can be added before painting.You don't have to leave gaps between the pieces if you paint your base coat before assembly.
Step 18: You can use painter's tape to cover sections that you want to keep clear.
If your model is more than 7 inches (18 cm) in length, you can use painter's tape to make it look bigger.You can layer multiple strips of tape on top of each other.As you apply the strip to the surface, smooth it down to make sure there are no gaps or air bubbles.If you are painting a model car, use painter's tape to cover both sides of the windshield.It will be clear when you spray paint it.
Step 19: You can test the spray in the air or a piece of paper.
If you hear the ball inside of the spray paint can rattle, it's time to paint.Hold your can upside down and press the nozzle for a few seconds to remove any excess air.If you want to make sure the spray is even, turn your can over and spray it into the air or a piece of paper.There are dry paint particles inside the nozzle.This causes the paint to splatter.When you apply your coat, it is important that you test it first.
Step 20: The can is 25–30 cm away from the pieces.
At a 45 degree angle, tilt your can towards your model or pieces.The nozzle should be held away from the item.You will cause drips if you are too close.You won't cover the surface evenly if you're too far away.If you are not happy with the coverage of your spray paint, adjust your distance from the model.
Step 21: You can spray your model with quick, smooth patterns.
Move the can across the model by pressing down on the nozzle.Do this quickly to avoid drips.Move the can in the opposite direction and then back again.Your coat will come out evenly if you use a sequence of quick, short bursts of spray.The model needs to be painted from every side.Camouflage, dust, or dirty paint can be created with multiple colors.Continue spraying until you get the model that you want.
Step 22: Wait at least an hour before you apply more coats.
You can see how long it will take to dry by reading the label on your spray paint can.It takes 30 minutes for spray paint to settle and 1 hour for it to dry.Wait the full hour before turning the model over to paint the other side.Use the same number of sprays to paint the other side of your model.
Step 23: It's best to wait 24 hours before painting or handling a model.
If you handle spray paint immediately after the hour is up, it will absorb fingerprints.Wait 24 hours before painting or moving your model to be on the safe side.
Step 24: If you want to spray smaller areas of your model, use an angust.
If you want to recreate the look of spray paint on a smaller scale, you can use an airbrush.If you want to use an airbrush, thin your paint with a liquid until it is soupy and thin.Put the drops in the cup at the top of the gun and hold the nozzle 4 inches away from the surface.To release your paint, pull the Trigger.When using an air compressor, wear a mask.Water and enamel thinner can be used to thin out paints.The pressure settings can be adjusted.You will need a lot of control for most models.It's usually appropriate to have a setting of 3-6 psi.