EchoKing wrote:AutobotJazz wrote:OK guys, here's a good place for you guys to throw out brands of paint you like, various tutorials, resource sites, or other tips and tricks you've picked up along the way. We've got a good mix of veterans and interested beginners. Let's share and pool together our strength and resources.
I'm new, how do you spray paint toys? Primer? Sealer?
Also does anyone know where to buy some g1 bumblebee like pistols that are 5mm for most generation figures?
(Cartoon pistol)
Oh boy, where to begin?
First you'll want to disassemble your toy, which is a whole other topic. Then be sure to give the parts a good clean (being careful with anything that shouldn't get wet).
Once you have it disassembled and cleaned you'll want to prime it. You can do this either with a spray can or through an airbrush (more on that later). I recommend grey as it's a very neutral colour that most other colours look good over. Mr. Surfacer and Tamiya Primer are both great, if pricey.
Once the primer has dried and cured (which can take anything from a few hours to a few days) you'll want to check for inconsistencies (orange-peeling, graininess etc) and sand them down with progressively finer sandpaper grades.
Now you actually paint your figure. For most things you'll want to airbrush them, as it gives a very smooth and consistent finish. Buying the right airbrush is a whole other topic, but TLDR: Start off with a cheap one for practice (you WILL ruin your first airbrush) before using a decent one like an Iwata once you know how to use it.
Anyway, first you pick your paint. You can use acrylics, enamels or lacquers. Acrylics are usually water-based which means you can thin them with water, and are very easy to use. However the effects aren't usually as good for some things and they aren't very durable. Enamels I've not used much so I can't really comment. Lacquers need to be thinned with very specific thinners and are quite toxic (use in a ventilated space) in addition to being tricky to work with. However they are ridiculously durable and also look beautiful. Don't use them over bare plastic though or it will melt.
Remember, multiple thin coats are always better than one thick coat. Also, THIN YOUR PAINTS. (See above.)
If you want to have a hard barrier between two different colours on the same part you'll need to mask it. This is actually quite simple. First, spray the colour that will make up the majority of the part. Then, once it's dry and cured, use model masking tape (I recommend Tamiya tape) to cover the already painted bits you want to remain the first colour. Then spray the second colour. Once that's dry and cured, remove the masking tape.
Once you've painted everything you'll want to seal/"topcoat" it to protect the paint. You can either use your airbrush to apply bottled/potted varnish (although if you want a shiny finish, Pledge floor polish works well) or alternatively you can get some topcoat varnishes in spraycans.
Once everything is fully dry and cured, put your figure back together (taking great care not to damage the paint). Hooray! It's done!
TIPS:
Remember that parts that come in contact (such as on joints or tabs) will rub paint, so it's best to use more durable paints for these parts. Also be careful of making them too thick with the paint.
If you're just going to keep a figure as a display piece, you can afford to town on it more than if it's going to be handled/transformed. Some paints are very durable, others are quite fragile.
Pratice, practice, PRACTICE. Use plastic spoons to try out airbrushing on. Then try using a knock-off as a "test piece". You don't want to ruin your expensive figure after all.
Always be on the lookout for more information. Books on airbrushing and modelling in general are invaluable. It might be worth joining a modelling forum online for information- Gundam model communities are ideal as Gundam models are quite similar to Transformers in a lot of ways (being brightly coloured robots and all- some even transform!) and a lot of Gundam builders really know their stuff on airbrushing.
Remember that your first custom will inevitably be a mess. So A: don't worry too much when it goes badly wrong, and B: don't use an expensive toy you really like as a base. Get a cheap figure off eBay or your local bargain store.
There's a lot more to it than that, obviously, so be on the lookout for information in other communities.
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 8:02 am
would you recommend using a spay on sealer?
use for their toys?
