How do I prepare my model for painting?

[SimpleModels]

Hi I am working on a kit which I am review for a magazine so it has to be good. I have recently been wondering how I prepare my model for airbrushing, as it is only my second model finished with an airbrush.

Please help :-\

 

[redraider56]

Depends on what kind of paints your using, but before that you should put on a coat of primer to reveal any irregularities like scratches from sanding seams. After that, if you use acrylics, you should wipe down the model with isopropyl alcohol to remove fingerprints and anything else that interferes with the acrylic paint. With enamels you really dont need to do that after you prime the model, but you can if you want.

 

[SimpleModels]

Cheers I use tamiya acrylics so I will need the alcohol but do you know where I can get it in the UK. And also does rubbing alcohol work. Thank you for the tip.

 

[redraider56]

Yup, rubbing alcohol will work fine too

 

[SimpleModels]

any ideas where rubbing alcohol is available?

 

[Splashcoat]

any ideas where rubbing alcohol is available?

It's available at any drugstore (or chemist's in the UK, I suppose). It might be labled "Isopropyl Alcohol" instead of, or as well as, "Rubbing Alcohol".

 

[SimpleModels]

cheers I'm going out tomorrow to buy some

 

[SimpleModels]

Cheers guys just bought some thanks for all the help

 

[13aceofspades13]

also mask anything you dont want to get paint on or that you already have painted another color to keep that color, ESPECUALLY CLEAR PARTS! for this you can use regular masking tape but they have specualty masking tapes for modeling, i recommend the Specialty masking tape beacuse its usually easier to cut and stuff, regular masking tape at times can be thick. i use regular masking tape most of the time beacuse its on hand and easily accessed, but it can be a pain.

also fill in cracks and seems of the model like parts that don't quite fit together like you want them, there are many Methods for fillers, like squadron putty and such, my favorite method is Bondo, i have used it on multiple projects.

as for applying paint, it depends on what type of paint you are using as many have stated, using Acrylics make sure your model is nice and clean and such before application, if you dont clean your model, sometimes there are oils from factory molding and even from your hands that get on the model and the paint probably wont stick quite so well. XD

hope it helps some of the stuff i said some people have already stated probably.

 

[SimpleModels]

Going to clean and prime and maybe Pre shade my model tomorrow wish me luck

 

[the Baron]

I use a cheap automotive primer for my primer, Walmart's own generic brand. It covers well, and costs about a third of the model paint manufacturers' own primers. It works for me on plastic or on metal. I've found that the greys are best, dark grey for subjects that will get darker colors, and light grey for subjects that will get lighter colors. I also have a reddish brown or rusty colored primer, but it doesn't show the detail as well as the greys, to my eye. Hope that helps, too!