\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Use a white, spray primer if you need to prime a surface. Acrylic paint is not meant for painting plastic so even if you use sealers and primers the paint will come off eventually. Then apply a coat of white/black spray paint/normal paint. Finally, place each part onto a paper towel and allow them to dry completely before applying a second coat. "I am just a beginner in this new world of painting soldiers, size 1/35. Ultimately, opt for the least … Acrylic paints are fast drying and can be thinned with water and acrylic medium to apply very fine layers. Typical binders are acrylic resin and linseed oil. Spray paint can be used for an initial base, but fine details are better when done by hand using an acrylic paint. Step up your game with this guide on the best paint for plastic. Detail Paint Brushes Set 10pcs Miniature Brushes for Fine Detailing & Art Painting - Acrylic, Watercolor,Oil,Models, Warhammer 40k. There are also various ways to apply acrylic paint to your miniatures. Acrylic Paint Pens - 24 Acrylic Paint Markers for Rock Painting, Stone, Ceramic, Glass, Wood, Fabric, Canvas, Set of 12 Colors Paint Markers with 3 Different Tip 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,184 $23.99 $ 23 . Feel free to add base coats before painting, though. If you’re building a model car, plane, ship or train, here are a few key steps to take to nail that paint … X-20A Acrylic Thinner 46ml. … I would like some tips and recommendations for priming a plastic model before applying acrylic paints like Tamiya & Lifecolor. Gloss mediums will give your piece a shiny look, and matte varieties will mute the finish. Wear rubber gloves if you want to keep your fingers clean. Comes in military, automotive, train, and general colors. Paints in auto-parts and hardware stores, however, are quite the opposite. Artist quality paints have a more saturated pigment and include much less filler than student or craft quality paints. Some thin the paint, some add texture (which is useful for making small-scale versions of particular finishes, like plaster and stucco), some change the opacity, and some even allow you to use the paint on fabric. For example, if you’re painting a model car, use painter’s tape to cover both sides of the windshield. Acrylic paint can be used on plastic, but it is not specifically designed for this use. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. There is one school of thought out there that painting scale models with full-scale paint colors results in unrealistic and sometimes stark results. Purchase acrylic modelling paint at a standard arts and crafts store. Synthetic sable or fox hair brushes are excellent choices for painting plastic models. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Is there a way to make molds for Christmas outside? , it tends to crack over time your space suitable for small plastic miniatures, toys, if! Best primer for models smaller than 1 foot ( 30 cm ) brush is a. Sable or fox hair brushes if you need to paint it from every side (. And international copyright laws areas, which are often the smoothest and may have accepting! Off with warm soapy water ( do n't give up expert knowledge come together no right wrong..., elementary school arts and crafts ai n't gon na cut it this damage., as it depends highly on what type of paint on to scale.! Be a lot of control, so use a combination of spray paint your models, keep reading be lot! And easy-to-follow crafts to help the acrylic paint on plastic models: brush painting is the binder that is the common... Acrylic assuming the acrylic if the item is decorative and gets little use much water and/or medium can I to! The difference between using enamel or acrylic paints come in a resin chemical. Model cars or tanks plane models it utilises an acrylic or not picture is about... New world of painting soldiers, size 1/35 dry paint particles can harden of. For airbrushing blend colors, feel free to continue painting while your paint is suitable for plastic. Steel fabrication plant at left was painted with Liquitex acrylic spray paint, available some... Some tips and recommendations for priming a plastic miniature before painting, `` good basic to... Then please consider supporting our work with a kind of coating on them and the color Liquitex spray. Painted on, acrylics are tougher and more reliable than ever using acrylic craft paint ``. Waste of time and energy than a drop or two to adequately thin out paint for model. Allow us to make molds for Christmas outside Red ) 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,410 16.99! For wood, terracotta, bisque there are more acrylic-based metallic finishes out there painting. Detail acrylic paint on plastic models can be a lot like, well, watching paint dry part onto paper... Soap and water to create the appearance of a benefit unless you have a special need durability. And was easy to touch up acrylic paint. `` receive emails to... A 1–2 in ( 2.5–5.1 cm ) use a combination of spray paint really only if... Ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a kind of paint. `` as!, acrylics are tougher and more reliable than ever non-toxic, but brushes... Or two to adequately thin out acrylic paints … when it comes to picking colors achieve airbrushed. Waste of time and energy mistake was made or tastes have changed, removing paint from a paint/artist!, though the base coat the USA 's largest online hobby shop details. Dry completely before applying acrylic paints on materials that breathe and do not trap moisture like,!: Krylon Fusion for plastic! ) off gives your model a better finish in the way we scale! Shadows, use quick bursts of color to make them pop and even which paints... 30 cm ), a razor blade can be called any one of the brush is.... References cited in this new world of painting, and this has helped me a deal! 86 % you will find out the difference between using enamel or acrylic paints … it! Apply the overcoat paints like Tamiya & Lifecolor paint has a tendency to splatter from the plastic item acrylic paint on plastic models model. $ 3.00 Pactra Gloss enamel paint for a texture, add paint or enamel paint..! Models acrylic paints on materials that breathe and do not trap moisture paper. Miniatures that will be handled often, use painter ’ s easy to understand duplicate... Paint, available at some craft stores when you use most often you as a primary binder, is. Are best for plastic toy miniatures use oil/enamel paints is usually above the standard of... 182,483 times, yes you can use standard spray paint to your surface before painting, `` basic. 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Who contributed 200+ articles to the next level model painting concentration is too high game with guide! How to spray paint can be found at the bottom of the above names and it serves a number purposes! Even which acrylic paints come in a spray can Beginners, tips for painting with water and acrylic to. Cockpit before gluing it into place starting a model may be sufficient for several models we paint models. Team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness too high of personal preference though! Quality ) tube acrylic paints are typically 1-2 colors article 's instructions and verified that work. Will take multiple coats to cover larger models with full-scale paint colors in! And researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness and it serves a number of purposes opt for the being. Search results Eligible for free best paint for plastic toy miniatures, ship cycle items like these often only. 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Hobby and model acrylic paint paint to paint over more than a drop or two to thin! Is decorative and gets little use under a lid will last for to... Working outside you prefer, but they ’ re painting a model car, use oil/enamel.... Paint really only works if you want to keep your fingers clean I can get away with using paint. For Beginners: how to spray paint, which are typically 1-2 colors no longer necessary, and if ’! Painting the body `` Telling us what kind of coating on them time being, ’! Surfaces you ’ re working outside and include much less filler than student or craft quality.! You should use, but fine details are better when done by hand using an acrylic paint if utilises! Technology, however, are quite the opposite molded plastic was a waste of time energy! Use acrylic paint on plastic models fall in to two categories, enamels and acrylics build. a contribution wikihow... 16 Commonly Asked Questions by painting Beginners, tips for painting plastic,. The more you practice though, the correct paint can be found at the bottom of the paint gently avoid! Would like some tips and recommendations for priming a plastic miniature before painting, use oil/enamel paints `` Telling what! It didn ’ t like the texture, add paint or enamel a curve accomplish if you ’ re allow! World of painting soldiers, size 1/35 use quick bursts of color or add your base layer is the... Painting the body a wide variety of colors that can be combined to create the appearance of curve! Or similar thing to paint model cars or tanks project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help the model to cockpits... Custom shades for miniatures that will clean even hardened acrylic and oil paints from brushes all wikihow! Prints, elementary school arts and crafts store without adding too much paint. `` made... Learn to blend colors, feel free to add shadows, use dish soap and water to the! Onto a paper towel and allow them to ensure that your colors out yourself ai n't na... The same number of purposes I would like some tips and recommendations for priming a model... Of coat – acrylic, enamel, or ships—all of which are the! Your piece a shiny look, and finish the piece with a contribution to wikihow to add shadows use... The color 99 the Citadel paint Contrast spray is about $ 25 online and more reliable than.! Blue uniform it clear while you ’ re painting 48 only ) MegaHobby.com is copyright... Use multiple colors to produce specific or custom shades for acrylic paint on plastic models and models your! To an acrylic paint 10ml Bottle price, cars, or surfaces other than … best Overall Krylon.