Newbie problems - acrylic paint

[breamster]

Hi,

My Youngest is currently putting together one of the beginner's airfix kits; a DB5. What is up with the paint? I wasn't expecting much from a brushed finish but the paint just won't cover.

On the smaller parts and darker colours it's passable but the silver on the body is terrible. It just won't cover. Any advice?

I am also finishing off a kit my other son started and abandoned. Again an airfix beginner kit. This one has a white roof. I've tried multiple thin coats and it is still awful.

Any ideas?

Paint is stirred thoroughly before use. Quality brush. Room temp. Do I need to rough up the plastic first with some very fine paper. If so, what grade?

Would enamel paints be better? Please don't suggest airbrushing it as I would like to keep things simple.

Up until we both came to paint the bodies we were both enjoying it and I really don't want to put him off.

Thanks.

[breamster]

I think I've answered my own question.

Sanding pads - 600-1000???

[robemcdonald]

Did you wash the parts?

Airfix seem to use a lot of lubricant / release spray on their moulds this stops the pa8nt sticking.

Try washing it in soapy water (fairy liquid or similar) once dry it should be a lot better.

Also don’t try and get paint coverage in one coat. You’ll be better off thinning the paint with a tiny bit of water and going for multiple coats.

[breamster]

robemcdonald said:

Did you wash the parts?

Airfix seem to use a lot of lubricant / release spray on their moulds this stops the pa8nt sticking.

Try washing it in soapy water (fairy liquid or similar) once dry it should be a lot better.

Also don’t try and get paint coverage in one coat. You’ll be better off thinning the paint with a tiny bit of water and going for multiple coats.

Thanks and rookie error but no I didn't wash the parts. I will do next time. I did do multiple thin layers so at least I got that right.

Trying to fix the paint this morning;

Car #1 - washed the unpainted bonnet as suggested yesterday and painted this morning. Mild improvement.
Car #2 - roughed back the body with a fine nail emery board. Also a mild improvement.

I think the next one I need to do both and I'll use enamel paints.

[r159]

Rattle cans are great for this type of thing, especially the body. Cheap cans from anywhere will do.

[Explorer1959]

r159 said:

Rattle cans are great for this type of thing, especially the body. Cheap cans from anywhere will do.

And get a spray can of Halfords grey undercoat/primer

Makes painting the top coat much easier

[Zad]

Another one here for the Halfords grey primer. I'm told that pound shop rattle cans work pretty much as well.

Make sure the can is warm and shake it plenty. Then shake it some more. Dust the first coat on, just a light pass or 2, let it flash off and cure for a few minutes, then put a slightly thicker coat on.

[generationx]

Another for the Halfords primer, but get the specific “plastic primer” if you can.