Chloe Zhang
When it comes to painting plastic models, there are a variety of paints that can be used, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most popular options include acrylics, enamels, and lacquers. Acrylics are water-based and are generally the preferred choice for beginners as they are easy to work with, dry quickly, and can be thinned by mixing with water. Enamels, on the other hand, are oil-based and provide better colour coverage and a smoother finish, but they have a stronger odour and take longer to dry. Lacquers are known for their hard finish and wide range of colour options, especially for high-gloss finishes, but they have an extremely strong odour and are toxic, requiring the use of a respirator mask. Ultimately, the best paint for plastic models depends on the modeller's skill level, the desired finish, and their ability to work with the paint's unique properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best paint for plastic models | There is no one "best" paint for plastic models. The choice depends on the modeller's skill, technique, and desired finish. |
| Types of paint | Acrylics, enamels, and lacquers |
| Acrylics | Water-based, easy to work with, quick-drying, can be thinned with water, and have a mild smell. They are the standard preferred choice for model enthusiasts and the most recommended for beginners. |
| Enamels | Oil-based, traditional variant, better colour coverage, smoother finish, more pliable, slower drying, and have a stronger odour. |
| Lacquers | Dry harder than acrylics and enamels, have more colour variations, easier to polish, have a strong odour, and are recommended for outdoor use or well-ventilated areas. |
| Application | Can be applied by airbrushing or hand brushing. |
| Thinners | Each paint type has its own thinner, but lacquer thinners can be used for all three types. |
| Brands | Testors, Vallejo, Tamiya, PollyScale, Floquil, and Rust-oleum |
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What You'll Learn
Acrylics are water-based and good for beginners
Acrylic paints are a great option for beginners painting plastic models. They are water-based, which makes them easy to work with and thin with distilled water. They are also available in a wide range of colours and can be applied by hand or with an airbrush.
When using water-based acrylics, it is recommended to use a wet palette, which makes the process much easier. You can also thin the paint with alcohol or lacquer thinners, but water is the best option for hand-brushing as it doesn't dry as fast. If you are using an airbrush, you can add a small amount of food-grade organic solvent to lower the surface tension of the water and make the paint easier to spray.
Acrylics are a versatile option for painting plastic models. They can be used for both hand-brushing and airbrushing, although some people find that they dry too quickly for manual brush application. However, with practice, you can achieve amazing results with acrylics, and they are a popular choice for plastic model kit builders.
There are several brands of acrylic paints available, such as Vallejo, Citadel, Army Painter, Tamiya, and Revell. Each brand has its own unique properties, so it's worth experimenting to find the one that works best for you. For example, Tamiya acrylics are known for their impressive chemical engineering and can be thinned with water, alcohol, or lacquer thinners, although they perform best with lacquer thinner.
In conclusion, water-based acrylics are a great option for beginners painting plastic models. They are easy to work with, versatile, and can produce professional-grade finishes. With a range of brands and colours to choose from, acrylics are a popular and accessible choice for anyone looking to start painting plastic models.
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Enamels are oil-based and traditional
Enamel paint is a hard, durable, and often glossy paint that dries to a hard, vitreous-like or glass-like shell. Enamel paint is defined more by its qualities than by its content and is typically used to describe oil-based covering products with a significant amount of gloss. The term 'enamel paint' is borrowed from the root words that refer to smelting or melting.
Enamel paint is slow to dry, taking up to 8-24 hours in some cases. This longer drying time is considered advantageous for brushing as it allows brush marks to "flow out". Enamels are also easier to brush paint than acrylics because the solvents used in enamels "bite" into the plastic better. However, one of the major disadvantages of oil-based enamels is their high VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content, which can be concerning from environmental and health points of view.
Enamel paint can be custom blended to produce a particular tint and is available in water-based and solvent-based formulations, with the latter being more prevalent in industrial applications. Enamel paint is generally more expensive than other paints due to its durability and better weather protection.
While enamels were the first modelling paints, their use has changed over the years, with newer synthetic coatings like alkyd, acrylic, and vinyl gaining popularity due to toxicity, safety, and conservation concerns.
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Lacquers dry hard and have a strong odour
Lacquers are a type of paint that dries to form a hard and durable finish. They are often used as a clear coat to protect underlying paintwork or to give wooden surfaces a glossy look. Lacquers are also available in coloured varieties and are popular for use in model-making.
Lacquers have a strong odour due to the presence of volatile compounds in their formulation. These compounds are designed to dry in stages, with the first stage drying in minutes, so that the finish is dry to the touch in 30 minutes or less. However, after the initial drying, there are a series of more slowly drying solvents that must evaporate to reach a full cure. As a result, it is recommended to provide good ventilation for several weeks after applying lacquer, especially in enclosed spaces.
The strong odour of lacquer is not just a nuisance but can also be hazardous to health. Prolonged exposure to lacquer fumes can cause serious, long-term problems in the lungs and brain. Therefore, it is important to take precautions when working with lacquers, such as wearing a respirator mask and ensuring adequate ventilation in the workspace.
Despite the strong odour and potential hazards, lacquers are popular for use in model-making due to their unique properties and ability to produce amazing results not possible with other paints. For example, acrylic lacquer paints are known for their expressiveness and ability to fine-tune many effects, such as mottled underlayers and very smooth layers.
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Testors are good for brush painting
When it comes to painting plastic models, there are a variety of paints to choose from, and it often comes down to personal preference and the specific project at hand. That being said, Testors paints are a popular choice for brush painting, and for good reason.
Testors paints, including their enamels and acrylic lines, are well-suited for brush painting on plastic models. Enamels, in particular, are known for their ability to adhere well to plastic surfaces. The solvents used in enamel paints "bite" into the plastic, creating a strong bond and a durable finish. This makes Testors enamels a good choice for those who want to achieve a smooth and long-lasting finish with a paintbrush.
Testors acrylic paints, such as their Model Master Acrylic line, also have their advantages. While some prefer other brands for airbrushing, Testors acrylics can be thinned with distilled water and applied with a paintbrush, offering good adhesion and colour fidelity. The predictability of Testors acrylics makes them a reliable option for brush painting, allowing you to achieve consistent results.
Additionally, Testors offers a wide range of colours in their paint sets, providing modellers with a vast palette to work with. Their paints are readily available, and many modellers appreciate the convenience of their square jars for brush painting. Testors also provides paint thinners and other accessories, making them a one-stop shop for many modelling enthusiasts.
In conclusion, Testors paints, including their enamel and acrylic options, are indeed good for brush painting plastic models. They offer advantages such as strong adhesion, colour fidelity, and convenience, making them a popular choice among modellers. With Testors paints, modellers can achieve durable, consistent, and visually appealing finishes on their plastic models.
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Vallejo is good for paintbrushes
Vallejo paint is a great option for those who prefer to use paintbrushes when painting plastic models. Vallejo offers a wide range of paint types, including acrylics, enamels, and lacquers, that are perfect for brush-on application. Their paints are known for their high-quality pigments and smooth, creamy consistency, which makes them easy to work with and ideal for achieving a flawless finish.
One of the key advantages of using Vallejo paint for brush painting is its excellent flow and coverage. The paint adheres well to plastic surfaces and has a self-levelling property, which means it settles into a smooth, even coat with minimal brush strokes. This makes it easier to achieve a professional-looking finish, even for beginners. Vallejo paints are also highly pigmented, providing excellent coverage with just a single coat. This not only saves time but also ensures that the details and features of the plastic model remain crisp and well-defined.
Another benefit of Vallejo paint is its versatility. The range includes a vast array of colours, allowing for a wide range of colour combinations and the ability to mix custom colours. Vallejo paints are also known for their compatibility with other paint systems, making it easy to incorporate them into existing collections or follow online tutorials that may use different paint brands. Additionally, Vallejo offers a range of specialised paints, such as their Game Air and Model Air series, which are specifically designed for brush-on application and provide exceptional results on plastic models.
The durability of Vallejo paint is also noteworthy. Its paint forms a strong, flexible coating that is resistant to chipping, cracking, and peeling once cured. This ensures that the paint job will last and maintain its appearance over time. Vallejo paints are also non-toxic and water-based, making them easy to clean up and safe for all hobbyists.
Overall, Vallejo paint is an excellent choice for those who prefer to use paintbrushes when painting plastic models. Its high-quality pigments, smooth consistency, excellent coverage, and durability make it a top choice for achieving a professional-looking finish. With its wide range of colours and specialised paint series, Vallejo provides the versatility and compatibility needed for any plastic model project.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no single "best" paint for plastic models, as different paints have different advantages and suit different techniques. Acrylics are the most popular and are recommended for beginners as they are easy to work with, dry quickly, and can be thinned with water. Lacquers are also popular as they dry hard and are easy to polish into a mirror-like finish, but they have a strong odour and are toxic, so they must be used with caution. Enamels are oil-based paints that provide better colour coverage and a smoother finish than acrylics, but they take longer to dry and have a strong odour. Ultimately, the best paint for plastic models depends on the specific needs and preferences of the modeller.
When using acrylic paint, it is important to use a thinner of the same brand as the paint, as they are meant to complement each other. Acrylics are also suitable for airbrushing, but if using a paintbrush, a non-acrylic paint like Vallejo may be better. Additionally, it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours for the paint to cure before applying any additional coats or finishes.
Yes, lacquer paints can be used on plastic models and are one of the best options for hand-brushing. They dry hard and have a wide range of colour variations, making them ideal for achieving high-gloss finishes, especially for model cars. However, due to their strong odour and toxicity, it is important to use them in a well-ventilated area and wear a respirator mask when working with lacquer paints.
