Painting Tamiya Models
Discussion
I've tried to find a dedicated modelling forum to ask this, but can't seem to find anything that's reasonably active, so here goes..
I've done 1/24 scale plastic Tamiya models ever since i was small and over the years have tried to spend a bit more time getting a bit more serious with trying to get a better finish.
One thing that has bugged me is trying to get a decent finish on the bodies.
Having watched a number of youtube videos, I have managed to improve the finish of my bodies somewhat, but they still seem to suffer from the commonly known 'orange peel' effect,
For bodies, i generally use Tamiya TS Spray Cans. I do have a very basic airbrush that i use with standard Tamiya Acrylics that i use on the rest of the parts,
This is the usual process that i go through when painting the bodies..
-Flat body back with 800 grit wet and dry
-Prime with either Tamiya Fine Surface Primer, or Halfords Plastic Primer.
-Flat back with 1200 grit, then 2000 grit wet and dry.
-Do an initial mist cost, let to dry and then flat back with 1200 grit, 2000 grit then 5000 grit paper.
-Do this 2 or 3 more times, with a final 'wet' cost to give the paint a nice glossy finish
It is at this point that i seem to get stuck as to the best way forward from here.
I see mixed recommendations as to whether you should clear coat the body. I have tried clear coating before when i have a model with a lot of decals, but struggled to get a good finish on it. I think i may do a better job now i have had a bit more experience, but i see this as an unnecessary step, as the Tamiya lacquer paints already have a high gloss finish anyway.
I have experimented with spraying the bodies in different ways, with the can different distances from the model etc and feel that i have got this technique correct, so that the finish has a much better high gloss finish than my earlier attempts, but when i hold the body up to the light I can still see a slight 'orange peel' affect.
Based on the fact that i do not intend to clear coat (unless absolutely necessary), then what is the best way of getting this paintwork to a high gloss finish without swirl marks?
Every guide that i read states that you should wet sand the clear coat back with various grades of paper before finishing with a cutting compound, a polish and then a wash or high gloss finish.
This seems to make sense to me as the fine wet and dry paper will smooth out the orange peel an the cutting compound and polish will take any any of the tiny scratches.
In my mind, it should be possible to use this same technique of the actual paintwork itself.
therefore, i have lightly sanded the final layer of paint with 1200 grit, 2000 grit and then 5000 grit paper, buffed it fairly heavily with AutoGlym 'paint Renovator', polished with Autoglym 'super resin polish' and finished with Autoglym 'high gloss finish', however, when i hold it in the light, therestill seems to be a fair amount of swirl marks in the paintwork. To be honest, when not held in direct light it actually looks pretty good, but i just want to try and get as best finish as i can.
So, my questions are...
-Am i doing it wrong by sanding and 'cutting' the final coat of paint?
-Do I have to clear coat? If, so, do i have to sand down with fine wet and dry before lacquer?
-Should i be using a finer paper than 5000 grit for the final sand over of the paint? ( I have 10,000 grit on order)
-I've read that the Autoglym products work well on Tamiya paint, but is this correct? Should i use something else?
Sorry for the long post, but on my current test project i seem to have half of the body with a glossy finish (with with mild orange peel) and one half with a fairly glossy smooth finish, but with loads of tiny swirl marks and I'm not particularly happy with either!
I've done 1/24 scale plastic Tamiya models ever since i was small and over the years have tried to spend a bit more time getting a bit more serious with trying to get a better finish.
One thing that has bugged me is trying to get a decent finish on the bodies.
Having watched a number of youtube videos, I have managed to improve the finish of my bodies somewhat, but they still seem to suffer from the commonly known 'orange peel' effect,
For bodies, i generally use Tamiya TS Spray Cans. I do have a very basic airbrush that i use with standard Tamiya Acrylics that i use on the rest of the parts,
This is the usual process that i go through when painting the bodies..
-Flat body back with 800 grit wet and dry
-Prime with either Tamiya Fine Surface Primer, or Halfords Plastic Primer.
-Flat back with 1200 grit, then 2000 grit wet and dry.
-Do an initial mist cost, let to dry and then flat back with 1200 grit, 2000 grit then 5000 grit paper.
-Do this 2 or 3 more times, with a final 'wet' cost to give the paint a nice glossy finish
It is at this point that i seem to get stuck as to the best way forward from here.
I see mixed recommendations as to whether you should clear coat the body. I have tried clear coating before when i have a model with a lot of decals, but struggled to get a good finish on it. I think i may do a better job now i have had a bit more experience, but i see this as an unnecessary step, as the Tamiya lacquer paints already have a high gloss finish anyway.
I have experimented with spraying the bodies in different ways, with the can different distances from the model etc and feel that i have got this technique correct, so that the finish has a much better high gloss finish than my earlier attempts, but when i hold the body up to the light I can still see a slight 'orange peel' affect.
Based on the fact that i do not intend to clear coat (unless absolutely necessary), then what is the best way of getting this paintwork to a high gloss finish without swirl marks?
Every guide that i read states that you should wet sand the clear coat back with various grades of paper before finishing with a cutting compound, a polish and then a wash or high gloss finish.
This seems to make sense to me as the fine wet and dry paper will smooth out the orange peel an the cutting compound and polish will take any any of the tiny scratches.
In my mind, it should be possible to use this same technique of the actual paintwork itself.
therefore, i have lightly sanded the final layer of paint with 1200 grit, 2000 grit and then 5000 grit paper, buffed it fairly heavily with AutoGlym 'paint Renovator', polished with Autoglym 'super resin polish' and finished with Autoglym 'high gloss finish', however, when i hold it in the light, therestill seems to be a fair amount of swirl marks in the paintwork. To be honest, when not held in direct light it actually looks pretty good, but i just want to try and get as best finish as i can.
So, my questions are...
-Am i doing it wrong by sanding and 'cutting' the final coat of paint?
-Do I have to clear coat? If, so, do i have to sand down with fine wet and dry before lacquer?
-Should i be using a finer paper than 5000 grit for the final sand over of the paint? ( I have 10,000 grit on order)
-I've read that the Autoglym products work well on Tamiya paint, but is this correct? Should i use something else?
Sorry for the long post, but on my current test project i seem to have half of the body with a glossy finish (with with mild orange peel) and one half with a fairly glossy smooth finish, but with loads of tiny swirl marks and I'm not particularly happy with either!
Edited by cholo on Monday 21st June 21:30
You've answered your own question, but choose not to do it.
1. Use your airbrush not cans, that is why you have orange peel.
2. Dont try and get it all achieved with just the paint colour. You need to spray a base coat, sand it a bit and then spray a good clear coat on top GX100 (non 2k) or a proper 2 part clear. Then polish the clear to your hearts content.
This is a well trodden and detailed path. Asking on forums will just get you a myriad of personal choices. Youtube these days is the go to place for expert information and tutorials with the added benefit of seeing it being done.
Sounds like just using a proper clear will step up your finishes a level.
1. Use your airbrush not cans, that is why you have orange peel.
2. Dont try and get it all achieved with just the paint colour. You need to spray a base coat, sand it a bit and then spray a good clear coat on top GX100 (non 2k) or a proper 2 part clear. Then polish the clear to your hearts content.
This is a well trodden and detailed path. Asking on forums will just get you a myriad of personal choices. Youtube these days is the go to place for expert information and tutorials with the added benefit of seeing it being done.
Sounds like just using a proper clear will step up your finishes a level.
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