The Energon Pub

[Dragonus_Prime]

I'm getting ready to do my first repaint and was looking for some advice. I'm repainting a Marvel Crossover Iron Man. I'm stuck between doing a movie or all chrome repaint with spray paint. I am wondering if spray paint would work well or if I should maybe go with a hand brush (not air) meathod. Also whether I spray or brush should I strip the original paint off and prep the plastic in any way. Or can I just spray/brush on top. One last thing. Does anyone have a solid tip for taking out those stinking pins, other than just a nail? Thanx and Siebertron.com RULES!!!

[Mykltron]

It's best to use a base coat before doing what you actually want to do. It helps the paint stick. Also, use a compatable varnish to seal it when it's finished.

[Mykltron]

Subject: Looking for Advice

It's best to use a base coat before doing what you actually want to do. It helps the paint stick. Also, use a compatable varnish to seal it when it's finished.

What would you suggest as a base and would a clear coat work to seal it?

As a base I just use a black water-based paint (Games Workshop). Drybrushing on black plastic doesn't really work as well as drybrushing on black paint. I find water-based acrylic easier to use and easier to clean from the brush than enamel.

Don't mix paint types - there is water-based acrylic, water-based cellulose, and enamel. Possibly there are others but I'm not an expert on this stuff. The reason you mustn't mix types is because it ruins the brush - you can NEVER clean all the paint from the bristles, it's just not possible. You can paint a layer of one type over another (eg drybrush enamel over water-based base) but make sure you use different brushes, and label the brushes so you don't get it wrong! However, using two paint types makes finding the right varnish tricky.

Yes, you can use a clear varnish to seal it, in fact you need to so you don't mess up your beautiful work! But test for compatability first. Recently I used a chrome paint with varnish from the same range and literaly, the moment the varnish touched the beautiful shiny chrome it melted and turned a nasty murky grey! So test it on a yogurt pot or something first. You can get gloss or satin (slightly less shiny than gloss) but I can't find a matte varnish anywhere.

I've fount Plasti-Kote 548 satin spray works is compatible with humbrol and GW and dries hard, yet 547 gloss does not dry hard. It's all very confusing and hard!