Sofia Martinez
Painting plastic models to resemble wood is a fundamental skill in modelling. The key is not just to paint realistic colours but also to add a little texture to bring out the detail. Most plastic kits represent wood with flat, smooth surfaces, which are not very realistic. It is important to remember the scale you are modelling and how battered the wood is supposed to look. Really distressed wood is clearly visible, but most wood just needs a light texture to bring out the detail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting plastic models to look like wood | Add texture to bring out the detail |
| Use paintbrushes to create a wood-grain effect | |
| Vinyl wrap | |
| Sandpaper to create a rough surface | |
| Use a base coat | |
| Paint colours: AK Interactive – Weathered Wood – AK 783 – or Burnt Umber – AK 789 |
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What You'll Learn
Add texture to bring out the detail
When painting plastic models to look like wood, it is important to add texture to bring out the detail. Most plastic kits represent wood with flat, smooth surfaces, which are not very realistic. The key is to remember the scale you are modelling and how battered the wood is supposed to look. For instance, if you are modelling distressed wood, the texture will be more prominent, whereas most wood just needs a light texture to bring out the detail.
One way to add texture is to use a vinyl wrap, which can be found on Amazon for a generally cheap price. Look for the kind that resembles duct tape, as it is thinner and can wrap around edges relatively well. Alternatively, you can sand down the model with very coarse sandpaper, such as 100-grit sandpaper, to create a rough surface. You can even scrape the model against a rough rock or use a knife to make fake knots in the wood. These methods will create a fake grain that will enhance the wood-like appearance of your model.
Additionally, many kits do not add breaks between wood planks, so adding these in can bring a sense of realism. Wood planks are not typically 20 feet long! By adding these breaks and creating a light texture, you can significantly improve the overall appearance of your plastic model and make it look more like wood.
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Use vinyl wrap
Using vinyl wrap is a cheap and effective way to make a plastic model look like wood. You can find wood-look vinyl wrap online, with tons of styles and colours available on Amazon. The kind that resembles duct tape is a good option, as it is thinner and can wrap around edges relatively well.
To apply the vinyl wrap, start by cleaning the surface of your plastic model to remove any dirt or debris. This will help the vinyl adhere better and create a smoother finish. Once the surface is clean and dry, cut the vinyl wrap to size, making sure you have enough to cover the desired area.
Peel back the adhesive backing of the vinyl wrap and carefully align it with the edges of your model. Start from one end and slowly work your way across, smoothing out any bubbles or creases as you go. Use a squeegee or a flat tool to help you get a smooth and even finish.
If your model has any intricate details or curves, you can use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat up the vinyl, which will make it more pliable and easier to work with. This will help you stretch and manipulate the vinyl to fit the contours of your model better.
Finally, trim away any excess vinyl with a sharp craft knife, being careful not to cut into the plastic. Once applied, your plastic model will have a convincing wood-like appearance.
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Sand down with sandpaper
To make plastic look like wood, it's important to not only paint it with realistic colours but also to add a little texture to bring out the detail. Most plastic kits represent wood with flat, smooth surfaces, which are not very realistic.
To achieve a realistic wood-like texture, you can sand down the plastic surface with sandpaper. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Choose the Right Sandpaper: Select a very coarse grit sandpaper, such as 100-grit sandpaper. This type of sandpaper will create a rough texture on the plastic, simulating the appearance of wood grain.
- Sand the Surface: Begin sanding the plastic surface with the chosen sandpaper. Apply firm pressure and move the sandpaper in the direction of the desired wood grain. Work systematically across the entire surface to ensure an even texture.
- Add Extra "Roughness": For an even more authentic wood-like texture, you can enhance the roughness of the surface. After sanding, use a rough rock to scrape the surface gently. Alternatively, you can use a knife to carefully create fake knots, which are commonly found in natural wood.
- Clean the Surface: Once you've finished sanding and adding extra texture, use a soft brush or cloth to remove any dust or debris from the surface. It's important to ensure the surface is clean before proceeding to the next steps.
- Apply a Base Coat: As mentioned by u/Frosty_Ad_2294 on Reddit, it's crucial to apply a base coat to the sanded surface. This will help the subsequent paint layers adhere better and create a more durable finish. Choose a primer or base coat that is suitable for plastic surfaces.
Remember, the key to achieving a realistic wood-like appearance is to create a subtle texture that mimics the natural grain and imperfections of wood. By using sandpaper and adding extra roughness, you can transform the smooth plastic surface into one that resembles wood, preparing it for the subsequent painting steps.
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Use a base coat
Painting plastic models to resemble wood involves more than just applying the right colours; adding texture to create a realistic wood-like appearance is also important. The base coat is a crucial step in achieving this.
The base coat serves as the foundation for the subsequent paint layers and helps to create a uniform surface. It is essential to select the appropriate paint for this step. A variety of base coat colours can be used, depending on the desired wood effect. For a darker wood, a coat of brown paint, such as Tamiya Brown (XF-72), can be applied. Alternatively, for a lighter wood effect, a coat of light brown or beige paint can be used as the base.
Before applying the base coat, it is important to prepare the plastic surface. This can be done by sanding the plastic with coarse sandpaper, around 100 grit, to create a rough texture. This step not only helps the paint adhere better but also adds a subtle wood-like texture to the model. If desired, additional texture can be created by scraping the surface with a rough rock or even using a knife to create fake knots, giving the model a more distressed wood appearance.
Once the surface is prepared, the base coat can be applied. This can be done with a paintbrush or spray paint, depending on the size and shape of the model. It is important to ensure that the paint is applied evenly and that the coat is allowed to dry completely before moving on to the next step. Skipping the base coat or applying random paints without proper preparation can result in chipping and an unrealistic final product.
The base coat provides a foundation for the subsequent layers of paint and helps to enhance the overall wood-like effect. It is important to remember that the scale of the model and the level of distressing desired will influence the amount of texture and detail added during this step.
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Paint realistic colours
Painting plastic to look like wood is a key skill in modelling. The key is not just to paint realistic colours but also to add a little texture to bring out the detail. Most plastic kits represent wood with flat, smooth surfaces, which are not very realistic. It is key to remember the scale you are modelling in and how battered the wood is supposed to look.
Really distressed wood is clearly seen, but most wood just needs a light texture to enable us to bring out the detail. You can add texture by sanding the plastic down with some very coarse sandpaper, like 100-grit sandpaper, and to add some extra "roughness", you can even scrape it against a rough rock or use a knife to make fake knots in the wood. Many kits do not add breaks between wood planks, so adding these in can bring a sense of realism. Wood planks are not 20 feet long!
Once you have added texture to the plastic, you can start painting. It is important to add a base coat; slapping random paints on top of the plastic would eventually chip off. For a realistic wood colour, you can use AK Interactive – Weathered Wood – AK 783 – or Burnt Umber – AK 789. You can also use Mig Dark Wash P220 or a similar product from Ammo by Mig or AK Interactive. For brown, you can use Tamiya – Brown /JGSDF – XF-72.
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Frequently asked questions
The key is not just to paint realistic colours but also to add a little texture to bring out the detail. You can do this by sanding the model down with very coarse sandpaper, like 100-grit sandpaper, to add some extra "roughness" to the surface. Then, put a base coat on it and finish with a brown paint.
You can use brown paints such as Tamiya – Brown /JGSDF – XF-72 or Burnt Umber – AK 789.
Yes, you can wrap the model in a vinyl wrap that resembles wood.
