Painting plastic models

[Auggie56]

Lacquer spray paint, is primer required? Using rattle cans.

 

[SteveSS]

I think the pros use spray can enamel and clear coat. But test it. Not all paints work together.

 

[Photon440]

Yes, use a plastic primer to protect the plastic from the thinner.

 

[The Rebel]

I've never used primer, but I use testors paint.

Thread '68 Dodge Charger Model Car' 68 Dodge Charger Model Car

 

[Dave6T4]

Lacquer paint can craze plastic, without a good undercoat. I have used Duplicolor primers with success. Even the colour match spray paint you can buy at automotive stores can be a little too "hot" for plastics without a primer. Even then, they tend to dry to a matte finish, requiring a top coat of gloss clear. I used to use Testor's model paints, when there was nothing else available. I have now switched to Tamiya model paints. This paint flows out nicely, with a great gloss. I found the shelf life of Testors paints to be poor. I use Tamiya's primers with their paints. Before painting, I always clean the plastic with a tooth brush, and Dawn dish detergent to get any mold release agents off the plastic. Be sure to rinse the plastic afterwards. I ruined some paint jobs before doing this. I found that those blue paper shop towels that the parts places sell are great for buffing the paint up. They have just the right abrasiveness, without leaving scratches.

 

[YY1]

The above is great advice.

 

[Auggie56]

Any advice on painting resin models?

 

[Dave6T4]

Any advice on painting resin models?

I have never worked with resin.

 

[71SandbugCharger]

You can use Tamiya acrylic paints with an acrylic paint primer on resin and plastics. I even found a color that is really close to '71 B-5 blue!

 

[Dennis H]

I miss those days, buzzed on Testors glue.

 

[Hey-O]

I have never worked with resin.

Working with my dioramas, I've found it's easier to sand, finer detailing and customizing is easier. You have to give it a good dawn bath or the paint won't adhere well. It must be primed. Plastic models typically have smoother surfaces straight from the box, making them quick to prime and paint.