Before painting for that realistic effect, you need to decide what kind of effect you which to achieve on your model. Do you want a brand-new, fresh out of the factory look? Or a battle-worn look?
Spray Paints:Spray paints are great of achieving that smooth finish without the need for sanding. When choosing your spray paint, ensure that it is not a water based spray paint. Epoxy spray paints like RJ and the Pylox sprays from NIPPON are all suitable for spraying. These have been known to adhere well to plastic and metal surfaces.
The technique:1. Sand down (with fine, approx 180 grain) sand paper or file down rough edges if they are thick.
2. Clean surface of any dirt, grime, oil (usually from your bare hands touching the surface) and dust
3. Wear gloves when handling paint and ensure you wear a mask. Only spray paint in an open area.
4. Be sure to cover the floor and walls around the area where you are painting. A rough gauge is at least 4 foot (or 80cm) from end of model being painted.
5. (method 1) Hold nozzle 4-6 inches (10-20cm) from the model and paint with a sweeping motion.
-This method saves paint but may cause the middle to be painted too thickly.
(method 2) Hold nozzle 2-3 inches (5-12cm) from the model and position in front of model. In a swift motion, move the spray across the surface to beyond the end of the model A strip of paint should be visible. Then position the nozzle such that when you repeat this painting technique, the second thin strip overlaps the first.
-This method ensures a smooth finish from end to end but wastes paint.
6. The drying time varies from paint to paint and colour. Do not touch the paint (as tempting as it is) or flip your model to paint the other side (it may just stick to the newpaper ruining the paint). Give at least 5 mins for it to dry. When it becomes dry to the touch, you may flip it over.
7. When painting is complete, drying process has not ended yet. You need to let it dry over several days (or sometimes weeks), this is also known as curing. You know the paint has cured when you can no longer smell the paint.
When painting for a metallic look:Combination 1- RJ flat black followed by clear lacquer (gives a shiny black finish)
Combination 2- Nippon Metallic Black knight followed by dull (metallic finish with tactical
feel and look)
Combination 3- TAMIYA Metallic Black (TS-40) or NATO Black (TS-63). Reduce shiny effect to desired amount with dull lacquer
When painting for a "nonmetallic" component for a similar look to that of the real model gun:Combination 1- RJ Dull Black (just 2 to 3 thin layers gets that perfect look and feel).
Combination 2- RJ Flat Black followed by dull black (use this combination if you don't' like to buy additional spray paints)
Combination 3- TAMIYA Matte Black (TS-06)
Synthetic PaintsThis type of paint is cheaper than spray paint and is mostly used for weathering. You may also use this paint to paint a whole model but it tends to leave brush traces. Best paints to use are acrylic paints (like TAMIYA paints or RJ sythetic paints). Oil-based paints tend to dry on thick and are messy and difficult to control.
Art of weathering:1. Find a smooth (preferably brand new brush)
2. Dip lightly in paint (for metal weathering use aluminium or silver)
3. Paint brush onto newspaper or plain paper until the brush is dry (thus the term dry-brushing). The dryer the better since you do not want to paint the model but leave traces on edges. Let paint dry on brush for 30 seconds.
4. Brush lightly over areas that you desire for a weathered look. Brush flat over areas that need to be completely painted.
Detail work:1. When you need to paint specific areas or on surfaces just above others that you do not want to paint. You need to paint by relying on the surface tension of paint.
2. Dip a pointed object lightly (such as the back of a small paint brush or tip of thin tweezers) into paint and touch the surface that needs to be painted. (See example below)
*Photo from scrambyjess
To achieve this same look, you simply touch the letters with paint until you have got the whole letter painted.
This method also works when painting a dot or other kinds of details.
OMG! I messed up the paint job:It happens once in a while to all of us. We were either too impatient and touched the paint or the newspaper stack next to you blew onto the wet paint.
Steps to reversing a mistake:1. Swear and curse all you want. Since it'll do nothing to help, it's best to get that out of your system first. Shout a fancy expletive that rhymes with "fudge," "shoot" and "cheese pie."
2. Get some plastic safe thinner (such as TAMIYA thinner) and rub off paint with cloth/paper.
3. If certain areas are uneven, use of sandpaper may be required.
4. Paint again
5. Be sure not to mess up again.
Thank you for visiting this thread.
