Alexei Volkov
Painting plastic models is a fun and rewarding hobby that requires some patience and practice. When it comes to choosing the right paint, acrylic paints are the most popular choice for model enthusiasts. Acrylic paints are easy to work with and can be thinned with water, making them suitable for both brush and airbrush application. For brush painting, AK Interactive 3Gen acrylic paints are highly regarded for their consistency, smooth finish, and self-levelling properties that eliminate visible brush strokes. Vallejo Model Color is another well-known brand that offers a wide range of colours suitable for brush painting. Enamel paints are also an option, but they take longer to cure and are less popular due to the removal of lead from their composition, which has affected their quality and colour saturation. When it comes to brushes, synthetic brushes are recommended for painting plastic models as they hold their shape well and are less likely to fray or split during detailed work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint type | Acrylic, Enamel |
| Paint brand | Vallejo, Tamiya, AK Interactive 3Gen |
| Paint properties | Water-based, airbrush-ready, brush-friendly, pre-thinned, self-levelling, smooth finish, fast-drying |
| Brush type | Synthetic, natural |
| Primer | Not required unless the model is made of multiple materials |
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What You'll Learn
Acrylic paints are versatile and easy to work with
Acrylic paints are also very convenient as they do not have a strong smell, so they can be used in areas that are not well-ventilated or even around children. They are available in airbrush-ready and regular brush-on versions. The airbrush versions are made with airbrush thinner, which contains a small amount of food-grade organic solvent to lower the surface tension of the water and make them easier to spray.
Acrylic paints are also versatile in the sense that they can be used for hand-brushing as well as airbrushing. They are also available in a wide range of colours. Vallejo, for example, offers a main range called Model Color, which includes a small range of Panzer Aces, which are suitable for painting details of various AFVs and uniforms, as well as the equipment of their crews. Vallejo paints are quite thick and are best thinned with water or a dedicated thinner before use.
Acrylic paints are also quite popular in Japan for all genres of model making and were made famous by first-generation aviation modellers. Acrylic lacquer paints are wonderful and expressive paints for hand-brushing, and many effects can be fine-tuned, such as creating a mottled underlayer or very smooth layers.
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Enamel paints are durable but take a long time to cure
Enamel paints are a durable option for painting plastic models. They are known for their strong paint surface and good coverage, even when applied directly to the bare plastic. However, one of their main drawbacks is the long curing time.
Enamel paints can take a considerable amount of time to fully cure and harden. The curing process involves the interlinking of paint molecules to form a solid membrane, which requires oxygen. While enamel paints may appear dry on the surface, it can take hours or even days for the paint to fully cure. In some cases, it can take up to two weeks or longer for the paint to completely cure, especially in colder or more humid environments.
The long curing time of enamel paints is due to several factors. Firstly, the composition of modern enamel paints, which are now lead-free, may affect their curing time. While this makes them safer for health, some users have noted that the newer enamel paints may have slightly longer curing times compared to the older, lead-based formulas.
Additionally, the thickness of the paint layer can influence the curing process. Applying enamel paint too thickly can inhibit proper curing, as the underlying layers may not fully dry. It is recommended to apply multiple thin coats, allowing adequate drying time between each coat, to achieve the best results.
To speed up the curing process of enamel paints, one can increase the temperature and decrease the humidity of the surrounding environment. Using a heater or painting in a warm, dry space can help accelerate curing. Additionally, increasing airflow with a fan can also reduce curing time, but care must be taken to ensure that the air is free of dust or other particles that could contaminate the paint.
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Vallejo paints are thick and require thinning
When it comes to painting plastic models, there are various types of paints available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. One popular option is Vallejo paints, which are known for their high-quality and wide range of colours. However, one common issue with Vallejo paints is their thickness, which can make them challenging to work with straight out of the bottle.
Vallejo paints are known to be quite thick, and this thickness can affect their performance, especially when used with an airbrush. The paint can become too sludge-like and difficult to spray uniformly. This is why thinning Vallejo paints is often necessary, especially if you plan to use them for brush painting or airbrushing. Thinning the paint helps improve its flow and makes it easier to apply smoothly and evenly.
There are a few different ways to thin Vallejo paints. One common method is to use water. You can add a small amount of water to the paint and mix it until you achieve the desired consistency. It is important to note that there is no specific ratio for thinning with water, and you may need to adjust the amount of water added depending on the paint's initial thickness. Another option is to use a dedicated thinner, such as an airbrush thinner, which can be added to the paint to improve its flow and make it easier to spray or brush onto the model.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Vallejo paints tend to separate in the bottle fairly quickly due to their heavy pigmentation. Therefore, it is essential to give the bottle a good shake before use to ensure the paint is properly mixed. In some cases, you may need to take additional steps, such as using a wire to mix the paint or adding a small amount of thinner, to achieve a uniform consistency.
By thinning Vallejo paints and taking the necessary steps to ensure proper mixing, you can achieve the best results when brush painting plastic models. Thinning the paint not only improves its flow but also helps with precision and coverage, allowing you to create smooth and detailed finishes on your models.
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Tamiya acrylics are a chemical engineering feat
The ability to thin Tamiya Acrylics with water is particularly noteworthy, as it sets them apart from traditional acrylic paints. Typically, uncured acrylic paints are soluble in water, but once cured, Tamiya Acrylics form a film of "plastic", becoming unaffected by water. This unique property is due to the acrylic compounds that serve as the chemical basis of the paint.
Tamiya Acrylics were initially marketed in Japan and the USA as a locally produced water-based paint for school children. This strategy contributed to their widespread use in plastic modelling, especially in Japan, where they gained popularity for all genres of model making. The versatility of Tamiya Acrylics extends beyond thinning, as they can be applied with both brushes and airbrushes, making them accessible to a diverse range of modellers.
Additionally, Tamiya Acrylics offer impressive performance and durability. They are known for their ability to produce expressive and smooth layers, as well as fine-tune various effects, such as a mottled underlayer. The paint's durability is enhanced by its ability to adhere well to bare plastic, resulting in a strong paint surface. However, it is worth noting that Tamiya Acrylics may require more time to harden and fully cure compared to other paints.
In conclusion, Tamiya Acrylics are a remarkable chemical engineering achievement, offering versatility, durability, and unique properties that have revolutionized the world of plastic modelling. Their ease of use, accessibility, and impressive results have made them a favourite among modellers, especially in Japan, where they hold a significant presence in the hobby community.
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AK Interactive 3Gen paints are smooth and require no thinning
When it comes to painting plastic models, there are a variety of paints available, each with its own unique properties and advantages. One option that stands out for brush painting is the AK Interactive 3Gen paints.
The AK Interactive 3Gen paints are a range of acrylic paints specifically designed for brush and airbrush painting. They are known for their smooth finish and ease of use, requiring no thinning before application. This is a significant advantage, as thinning paint can be a tedious and time-consuming process for model painters. With 3Gen paints, you can simply open the bottle and start painting, making it a convenient choice for both beginners and experienced painters alike.
The paints have a unique formula that eliminates the need for thinning. They have the perfect consistency straight out of the bottle, which makes them easy to work with and helps to achieve smooth, brushstroke-free finishes. This consistency also ensures that the paints do not separate in storage, so you don't have to worry about shaking or mixing them extensively before use.
Additionally, the AK Interactive 3Gen paints offer excellent coverage and adhesion. They are designed to provide a strong grip on the model surface, ensuring that the paint adheres well and covers any underlying details. This makes them ideal for painting intricate scale models and miniatures, as the fine details of the figures remain visible even after painting.
The range includes a wide variety of colours, including basic colours, colours for AFVs (armoured fighting vehicles), and colours for aircraft models. They also offer metallic colours, effect paints, and inks, providing a comprehensive selection for all your modelling needs. The paints are available in 17ml dropper bottles, making it easy to control the amount of paint you use and ensuring that there is no waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Acrylic paints are a good option for brush painting plastic models. AK Interactive 3Gen acrylic paints are highly recommended for their consistency, smooth and matt finish, and self-levelling properties that eliminate any visible brushstrokes. Vallejo Model Color is another paint range that is suitable for brush painting.
Enamel paints are a good alternative to acrylic paints for brush painting plastic models. They offer great coverage and a strong paint surface that holds well even to bare plastic. However, they take a long time to cure and harden.
Synthetic brushes are recommended for brush painting plastic models as they tend to hold their shape well and are less likely to fray or split over time. Synthetic sable or fox hair brushes are excellent choices.
Before painting, mix your paint thoroughly to ensure that it is well combined. When painting, use an even hand and overlap your brushstrokes to ensure a beautiful finish.
