Paint, paint, paint! where do I begin?
Discussion
So I recently bought an Airfix Aston Martin DB5 quickstart kit with all the required paints etc. and the paint finish was terrible. I put on a few coats of thinned down paint as a base coat then a few topcoats of full thickness paint but I've got terrible brushstroke marks.
Now ive just received a Revell 68 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 and it does not come with paints etc. Can anyone recommend paints and or techniques to achieving a decent finish, I've toyed with the idea of getting an airbrush setup but im not sure.
TIA!
Now ive just received a Revell 68 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 and it does not come with paints etc. Can anyone recommend paints and or techniques to achieving a decent finish, I've toyed with the idea of getting an airbrush setup but im not sure.
TIA!
A good finish with brush is hard and takes skill.
For the top coats you actually want several thinned layers. Depending what paints you used, it may be difficult to get no brush marks for a quality car finish. I hate to say it but you may be better off with a spray can.
If making models is or will be a proper hobby of yours, then an airbrush is worth its weight in gold. A quality finish is so much easier to obtain.
For the top coats you actually want several thinned layers. Depending what paints you used, it may be difficult to get no brush marks for a quality car finish. I hate to say it but you may be better off with a spray can.
If making models is or will be a proper hobby of yours, then an airbrush is worth its weight in gold. A quality finish is so much easier to obtain.
I’d start with Tamiya acrylic paints and mr Color self levelling thinner a 50/50 ratio is good. A decent flat brush and practice. I was in the same boat but you do get better.
I bought an airbrush 6months ago and I’m still learning every time I use it.
YouTube is your friend for tutorials. Or try Tamiya rattle cans. Good luck.
I bought an airbrush 6months ago and I’m still learning every time I use it.
YouTube is your friend for tutorials. Or try Tamiya rattle cans. Good luck.
For small parts such as engine and suspension use Revell email colour paints. They go on well and give a great finish. For the body always spray. Tamiya and Revell spray paints are good but only 100ml and can run out quick. Best results I've had are with Plasitkote sprays which come in a huge range of colours and usually pretty cheap. Plasikote paints give a much better finish too I found and for the same cost as Tamiya/Revell you get 5 times as much.
To spray, no matter which brand you use, apply 2 - 3 mist coats with 20 mins or so in between. Once that's dried give it a smooth prolonged 'wet' coat and then stop. Let it dry properly before you attempt to handle it.
To spray, no matter which brand you use, apply 2 - 3 mist coats with 20 mins or so in between. Once that's dried give it a smooth prolonged 'wet' coat and then stop. Let it dry properly before you attempt to handle it.
Welcome to my world. 
I just finished my first model in about 50 years.
.
I used Tamiya paint as it was all I’d bought. I only had black and silver. Luckily those were the 2 most used colours anyway.
The underside and details were done with neat paint and the body I sprayed with a cheap rattle can from the local hardware store with a coat of lacquer on top.
It’s definitely meh and I’ve learned a lot of lessons from just that one model.
My latest is an aircraft and I’m busy doing the flight deck. I’m doing it in a lot of thinned coats and it’s definitely a step in the right direction. I’ve bought Vallejo paints and find them easier to brush following advice from dr_gn. I’ve even attempted a bit of dry brushing.
Look on YouTube there’s loads of videos on there.
I just finished my first model in about 50 years.
.
I used Tamiya paint as it was all I’d bought. I only had black and silver. Luckily those were the 2 most used colours anyway.
The underside and details were done with neat paint and the body I sprayed with a cheap rattle can from the local hardware store with a coat of lacquer on top.
It’s definitely meh and I’ve learned a lot of lessons from just that one model.
My latest is an aircraft and I’m busy doing the flight deck. I’m doing it in a lot of thinned coats and it’s definitely a step in the right direction. I’ve bought Vallejo paints and find them easier to brush following advice from dr_gn. I’ve even attempted a bit of dry brushing.
Look on YouTube there’s loads of videos on there.
I'm just about to put a SMTS white metal model chimaera together and was wondering the same with paints. I'm hoping to get some to match my car possibly in a rattle can but thought of the fine detail airbrushes. Can you run these off a garage compressor? Is so can anyone recommend an adapter?
croissant said:
For small parts such as engine and suspension use Revell email colour paints. They go on well and give a great finish. For the body always spray. Tamiya and Revell spray paints are good but only 100ml and can run out quick. Best results I've had are with Plasitkote sprays which come in a huge range of colours and usually pretty cheap. Plasikote paints give a much better finish too I found and for the same cost as Tamiya/Revell you get 5 times as much.
To spray, no matter which brand you use, apply 2 - 3 mist coats with 20 mins or so in between. Once that's dried give it a smooth prolonged 'wet' coat and then stop. Let it dry properly before you attempt to handle it.
So where is the best place to buy Plasti-kote paints from?To spray, no matter which brand you use, apply 2 - 3 mist coats with 20 mins or so in between. Once that's dried give it a smooth prolonged 'wet' coat and then stop. Let it dry properly before you attempt to handle it.
indigochim said:
I'm just about to put a SMTS white metal model chimaera together and was wondering the same with paints. I'm hoping to get some to match my car possibly in a rattle can but thought of the fine detail airbrushes. Can you run these off a garage compressor? Is so can anyone recommend an adapter?
I used Tamiya primer then a rattle can from halfords in the best match to my carDid this about ten yrs ago turned out ok .
Edited by Toma500 on Tuesday 5th May 23:27
Lynchie999 said:
... is there some online wiki type place that tells you what paint you need for each (Tamiya) model ?
Try Scalemates. Find your kit then usually there is a link to download a pdf of the instructions. A colour call out will be in there.https://www.scalemates.com/
ottovonskidmark said:
Try Scalemates. Find your kit then usually there is a link to download a pdf of the instructions. A colour call out will be in there.
https://www.scalemates.com/
Also try www.1999.jp, great shop with a lot of instruction sheets especially Japanese & Chinese companies. Also try revell’s website, there’s a catalogue of pdf kit instructions https://www.scalemates.com/
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