\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This article received 20 testimonials and 84% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. To paint plastic models, you should use either acrylic or enamel paint. It’s easy to work with and can easily be thinned by mixing it with water. Wear a respirator when you use enamel paint in an enclosed area. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}. This will make the joint you mention from photo etch to plastic, easier to paint with a good brush. wikiHow's. How long it takes for the paint to dry depends on the type of paint you are using. What paint can I use on plastic that will stand up to the elements? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Add highlights with lighter shades of your paint color, and shadows with darker shades. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Continue spraying until the model’s color matches the hue and texture that you’re going for. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Use a white, spray primer if you need to prime a surface. Apply enamel/model paints using a stiff-bristle brush. Read the label on containers of enamel paint carefully before purchasing them to ensure that you always take the proper safety precautions. During this time, they may be sticky and prone to peeling or chipping. Many plastic models are coated in a resin or chemical agents to help the model keep its shape while it was manufactured. Synthetic sable or fox hair brushes are excellent choices for painting plastic models. Airbrushing is often preferred by experienced modelers, but if you don't have airbrushing equipment, brush painting can still yield great results. These resins and agents are no longer necessary, and brushing them off gives your model a better finish in the end. The next biggest section of color will be the skin tone, followed by the silver buckle and buttons and the black details on the uniform. Wipe down the plastic surface with alcohol to remove any oils that might prevent the paint from sticking, then apply a coat of primer. Support wikiHow by Just read a can carefully to ensure that it isn’t designed specifically for wood, metal, or surfaces other than plastic. You usually don’t need more than a drop or two to adequately thin out paint for a texture. ", run, and is easier for 'orange peal' to develop. When spray painting, use quick bursts of color to apply coats evenly. For most models, you’ll need a lot of control, so use a lower psi. Try a Revell or Humbrol-style brush cleaner. I hope I don't mess it up, cost me a lot to, "This explanation did a great job of setting out the pros and cons of the different kinds of paint for plastic, "I've been building models for 50 years and thought I knew it all. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Using a small amount of thinner will result in a thicker coat, while creating a mixture of 1-part enamel and 1-part thinner will create a nearly-translucent color. ", "The suggestion to use plastic spray paint as a primer helped. Several light coats of sealer are better than one thick coat. Undercoating is a tar-like material that is made to remain somewhat flexible when dry. Items like these often require only 1-2 color to make them pop. Posted by rmontesb on Saturday, January 31, 2015 8:25 PM Hello! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Shake the can of spray paint very well. Doing so would take off pre-applied coats and could make your desired object have an uneven surface with lines. This is the color of your base coat. This depends on what the model is made of. Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart. The best paint is spray paint, but make sure you do this outdoors to avoid strong smells. If you are using a spray-able primer, be sure to cover your work surface and work in a well-ventilated area. For more tips, like how to spray paint your models, keep reading! With enough practice, you’ll be producing elegant models in no time! Some types of paint will be more durable than others. Do not spray the model until it is soaking wet. Yes, just be sure to use an even coating. Chrome spray paint can be purchased online or at your local hobby or hardware store; brands include Rustoluem, Krylon and Spaz Stix (see Resources). If you don’t mix a red paint for example, some of the red may be darker or lighter than the color is supposed to be. If you’re trying to add shadows, use a cotton swab instead of a toothpick. Everyone has a slightly different approach to painting a model and you still see hand-painted models beating out airbrushed models on the contest tables. Paint the other side of your model using the same number of sprays to maintain uniformity in the coat and the color. You will want to wipe the project down again with more rubbing alcohol after you sand it, however; any dust left over from the sanding will prevent the paint from adhering. Do you have to prime a plastic model before you paint it? ", "I was clueless as to how I should paint plastic, and this tutorial really helped. Tested. Plastic and metal brushes do not get along. It has a large, plastic frame which is very dark. Don’t be too hard on yourself. This will also prevent smearing, since you’ll be spreading the paint out before it has an opportunity to start drying. The paintbrush is the simplest method of applying paint. If you are using brushes to paint the Z-25 it would be better to paint the sub-assemblies before gluing them on the ship. Will definitely be giving it a try. Painting on plastic is known to be difficult - it will peel off after a, "Sanding the surface before starting to paint is especially important for a glossy plastic surface, as the paint may, "It pointed me toward auto undercoat for painting polyethylene water tubs. It works great on outdoor plastic flower pots. ", "It was step-by-step and was easy to understand and duplicate. "I am just a beginner in this new world of painting soldiers, size 1/35. Then I do a diluted black oil paint wash. Then drybrush if it is needed anywhere . Learned a couple of painting, "Telling us what kind of paint we were using and why. Wear rubber gloves if you want to keep your fingers clean. In fact, painting your base coat before assembly ensures that you don’t leave any gaps in between the pieces. I want to finish it now, but some parts were painted with the wrong colors. Keep scrubbing away in all the grooves and areas until the paint is gone. These brushes are smaller than. Warning: Most enamel paints are noxious. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. What paint can I use on a composite door? With your wikiHow guide, I can link/refer to this excellent guide. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. ", "Really concise, clear instructions. Do I need a specific brush to paint plastic models? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. It should work just fine. But be sure to use a good bonding primer and spray paint. It gives smooth surfaces some tooth, allowing the paint to stick on better. Paint can make or break your model. After you’ve dried your brushes, you can rub petroleum jelly on the bristles to preserve them. The more you practice though, the better you’ll get at it. Brush off all the loose paint onto the newspaper with your toothbrush. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. Read the user's manual … Hold spray cans 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 centimeters) away from the surface. Items such as furniture, figurines, toys, containers, and décor items are great choices. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/58\/Paint-on-Plastic-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Paint-on-Plastic-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/58\/Paint-on-Plastic-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/aid1346154-v4-728px-Paint-on-Plastic-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":"