What is the best way to get a good paint job on a plastic sructure? It takes many coats of acrylic paint before getting a solid color. Should I use a primer? I don’t have an air brush, so I do it the old fashioned way, with a brush.
I still paint my buildings with a brush. Usually, I don’t even bother with a primer…and it only takes 2 coats. However, if a building is molded in a dark color (or even a nasty one…like the yellows and browns on those Model Power factories), I’ll hit it with some white or grey primer first.
I do also. Just be sure to get a good variety of high-quality brushes. Joe
I use white car primer on larger buildings and structures. Make sure you don’t overdo it as you have no control over paint flow so sweep over your model. Also, if it says ‘Shake can for 2 minutes’ then do what it says on the tin or you will find a runny mess gathering at the base of your models.
I still use brushes to complete the job, once the primer is dry, but the texture finish created by the primer allows me to apply thinner final coats and preserve detail.
The type of structure determines what I do. I mostly use spray cans for structures. For brick buildings, I tend to spray the buidlings a basic brick color and work from there. For other types, I use gray Krylon primer first, and then brush on the finish colors.
Nick
Although you never asked, I assume you know to wa***he plastic parts in a soapy solution, rinse clean, and air dry. This takes the mold release oils off the plastic making it more accepting of paint adhesion. If you are only doing a few buildings, the brush works but you most likely will need two coats at least. If you are planning to do more buildings and age cars, you should consider the air brush. The quality in appearance will make a believer out of you.
I use a primer on almost everything, sprayed on just enough to hide the original cast-in color. Some painting is finished with different color spray cans, but most is done by hand with a variety of brushes. Weathering effects are done with a brush.
It takes patience and a very light hand when using those little spray cans. They are fast and easy to use, but can easily get too heavy a coat of paint and ruin the details. I have a small airbrush, but haven’t bought a compressor for it yet.
Darrell, quiet…for now
I’ve read on here that a lot of guys use hardware store spray paint for primer, such as Krylon. Isn’t that stuff thick enough to bury the detail on whatever it is you’re painting?
No. Used with a light touch, regular hardware store spray cans work very well.
Nick
Thank you all for the good input.
Not if it is used exactly per the instructions. Shake the can at least as long as instructed. Spray from the proper distance. Make smooth passes over the item starting and stopping the spray off of the item. Overlap each pass by about half.
I was really surprised how well you can paint something with those cheap cans.