10 replies to this topic

[Mbloes]

I am building a plastic model right now - Revell's Mr. Gasser to be exact.

 

Thinking through my approach, I couldn't come up with a satisfactory way to spray the Mr. Gasser figure himself.  So I need to brush paint.

 

Even though I'm not finished, I'm not having totally great luck.

 

I am getting streaks, if I go back the paint "pulls" the previous layer and the paint is drying too quickly to effectively cover a large area.

 

 I am using Tamiya acrylics, thinned with 90% alcohol (an internet tip).  It's a flat finish.

 

Any advice is much appreciated.

[Pablo]

Simple answer.  Acrylics work well when brushed on the inside of a clear body - but it requires multiple thick coats. They spray on the insides of clear bodies perfectly.

What they do not do, is work for exterior with a brush. Period. What you need to brush an exterior is either enamels or lacquers.

Water based paints won't work for you on that.

[Lone Wolf]

Mike, you shouldn't be having too much trouble especially using flats.

 

Is the paint you are using old?

 

Acrylics do not "age" well.

 

Are you thinning because the paint was not smooth?

 

You are correct in using at least 90%. Any lower does not work. Tamiya thinner is quite expensive.

 

Maybe try some fresh paint of another brand.

 

Also, I find it best to prime everything first. I use Tamiya white spray primer which is super fine, not like some others.

 

Sadly, many water based paints have been taken of the market or have had the formula changed.

[Lone Wolf]

Mike, is it safe to assume you are talking about a figure and not a car body?

 

Here is a Fink I did at least 15 years ago. He's been kicking around and you can see he lost an eye somewhere

 

This was painted with mainly Polly Scale paints brushed on with the exception of some gloss red and some pink blown in with an airbrush in the ears. Also, the hair was done with flocking. There are some light brush marks here and there but it's OK as it gives a more realistic look.

 

I think Polly Scale may have changed their formula but I'm not sure. Haven't bought any in years.

 

 

[Bryan Warmack]

  Mike,

       One Shot Lettering Enamel, for hand lettering, is great as it covers and levels about as good as you could get. Slow drying which is probably good for what you are looking for.  I buy some on Ebay but not cheap as even the smallest can, 1/4 pint will be $10-$15 with shipping.

 

      Have you tried the regular old Testors enamel model paints in the little glass jars?

[MattD]

Joe that's a great paint job. I've painted a few and always used the old Testors enamel and a brush. The only problem I had was my ability.

[Mbloes]

First, thanks for all the input.  All excellent comments.

 

I absorbed it over the weekend and re-tackled my project.

 

A little light sanding, a feathery brush and a second coat appears to be giving better results.

 

I will post the results when I finish.

 

PS - Joe your RF is a great model and that is essentially what I am after.

 

Thanks again gents.

[Mbloes]

Just closing the loop on this one . . .

 

Here is the finished model.

 

I stayed with the Tamiya acrylic, but wound up thinning the paint a lot more with alcohol and using a more feathery brush.

 

Headers are custom.  I painted a "t-shirt" on him (this was actually done with pollyscale).

 

I cut the bod down to get him lower in the car.  I've seen other dudes do this so I thought I would try it and it came out great.

 

Thanks again for all the tips.

 

Check it out (click through for a nice big pic):

 

 

 

[Pablo]

  Very cool, Mike, the paint looks great !

I don't know how acrylics on the outside worked so well for you.

Whatever the reason, I'm glad you proved me wrong and I stand corrected

[Mbloes]

  Whatever the reason, I'm glad you proved me wrong and I stand corrected

 

Thanks

 

I don't think it's a matter of right or wrong, it's just what works for you.  As you know, there are a million valid ways to achieve the same result.

[Lone Wolf]

Mike, that came out great   Sometimes I'm amazed at how many colors I use. The more colors and shades the better it looks. 

 

I actually met Ed Roth a couple times. He did a personalized shirt for me and I have his autograph. He was a large dude with lots of paint on his fingers.

 

He told me he received about three cents on each monster and car kit Revell sold and he said he made quite a lot of money.

 

They probably sold over a million kits.