Absolute beginner: Need a few pointers

[Lynchy]

Hi all,

Never modelled before, but wanted to get into the hobby. Hope you’re up for complete beginner questions...

Bought a Revell 1:72 Tornado GR1 as a trial run model, to figure things out and learn as much as I can from making mistakes and asking questions.

Having a bit of bother with painting though. Following lots of advice, I’m thinning acrylic paint with a splash of water to a ‘milk consistency’ - but it’s a nightmare.

For small parts, the paint seems too thin, and runs all over the place, pooling where there are joints and dips and not where I actually want it. I persevered and added additional coats, with decent dry time between, but it just doesn’t seem to be coating.

As an experiment, I tried not thinning the paint, and get a similar, although not as bad result. I managed to at least get a black coat on a part - but it ended up pretty uneven, messy and patchy.

I gave the sprues and parts a good wash before starting, but could the surface be the problem? Do I just need to keep applying further coats? Or am I doing something wrong?

A few tips would be hugely appreciated. I’ve attached a few pics to help explain what I mean. Excuse the amateurness!

 

[Jim F]

Hi Ian,
Firstly wecome to the forum,what paints are you using? are you using a brush or an airbrush ?
regards Jim

 

[Dave Ward]

Ian,
welcome to the forum - ask any questions at all - we all started somewhere!
Acrylic paint - you usually don't need to thin it, if you are brush painting ( only for airbrush ). If you washed the model ( warm soapy water? ) that normally reduces the problem. If you still have problems, then you will need to use a primer coat, which should give a smooth base to paint on. You can buy rattle cans of primer from auto shops - just make sure it's acrylic based, not cellulose.
Good quality paintbrushes in various sizes can help as well
Dave

 

[Lynchy]

Thanks for your quick replies.

I’m using Tamiya acrylic paints, and brush painting. Good to know I don’t need to thin - that might really help. I’ll keep you informed.

 

[langy71]

Worry not Ian, we all started somewhere..

thinning the paint to the consistancy of 'skimmed milk' is usually only done for using via an airbrush..when painting using a hairy stick .(brush), i usually paint straight from the bottle..and even then there will be times where multiple coats will be needed.

 

[zuludog]

Might be a simple and obvious question, but you are giving the paints a good stir before using them, aren't you?

Can you tell us, please, the makes of the brushes & paints that you are using

You shouldn't really need to thin acrylic paint before use. It might be a bit thick but it should cover well without any running or patchiness
When you've gained more experience you could think about thinning the paint very slightly

I wonder if you have bought a brand of paint that is intended for airbrushing, and so will be thin to start with? Any extra thinning could give the results you've described

Whereabouts are you doing your modelling? It should be in, for example, your spare room. If you are working in a garage or shed at this time of year it could be too cold to dry the paint properly

 

[Lynchy]

Thanks for your help,

I'm using Winsor & Newton brushes, and Tamiya Acrylic Paints, which after a quick search do seem primarily designed for airbrushes (despite being advertised as good for both) - and by all accounts seem to be fairly thin already.

Hopefully I can get better results without any thinning. Will keep you updated!

Edit: Sorry, forgot to say - yes I'm giving them a good stir, and modelling in a spare room - so it's nice and toasty.

 

[stillp]

The best advice I had on here was to use a flat brush. Personally I usually thin Tamiya paints for brushing, using their X20A thinner,but different colours seem to need more or less thinning. More thin coats give a better finish that a few thicker coats. Don't worry if the plastic shows through, you can always add another coat.
Pete

 

[Jim F]

Hi Ian,
Cut a length of sprue from the kit and give the paint a good stir that should help.
regards Jim

 

[Lynchy]

The best advice I had on here was to use a flat brush. Personally I usually thin Tamiya paints for brushing, using their X20A thinner,but different colours seem to need more or less thinning. More thin coats give a better finish that a few thicker coats. Don't worry if the plastic shows through, you can always add another coat.
Pete

I appreciate that, Pete! Was a little worried that after buying a decent selection of paints, I'd have to go out and buy a load more.

Hi Ian,
Cut a length of sprue from the kit and give the paint a good stir that should help.
regards Jim

I had given them a good stir with a matchstick, but I'll give this a good go.

Edit:Following your advice, not thinning, and switching to a flat brush, has really helped: one coat and it’s looking much better!

 

[spanner570]

Welcome to the forum Ian.
Your question will receive all sorts of answers because when it comes to brush painting, modellers have their favourite paints and methods.
I don't possess an air brush, I only brush paint.

If it is of any help, I've done a ' Ron's no frills brush painting' in the brush painting section on here. It might be worth a read along with all the other advise you have received so far.

I use Vallejo acrylics, both types, but I prefer Model Air for brush work as it can be used straight from the bottle, although I prefer to dilute even this thin paint with some tap water.

To each his own, but I just can't get an acceptable result when brushing on Tamiya paints. As I wrote at the start of my post, everyone has their own favourite paints, so go with what you find easiest to use.

Cheers.
Ron

 

[Lynchy]

Welcome to the forum Ian.
Your question will receive all sorts of answers because when it comes to brush painting, modellers have their favourite paints and methods.
I don't possess an air brush, I only brush paint.

If it is of any help, I've done a ' Ron's no frills brush painting' in the brush painting section on here. It might be worth a read along with all the other advise you have received so far.

I use Vallejo acrylics, both types, but I prefer Model Air for brush work as it can be used straight from the bottle, although I prefer to dilute even this thin paint with some tap water.

To each his own, but I just can't get an acceptable result when brushing on Tamiya paints. As I wrote at the start of my post, everyone has their own favourite paints, so go with what you find easiest to use.

Cheers.
Ron

Thanks Ron, I'll definitely give it a read. To be honest, I was a little worried that, at some point, I'd have to use an airbrush. I think part of the joy for me in this hobby will be in the brush painting; aside from just being a bit more serine, it just feels a little more hands on... less sterile somehow. Completely psychological I'm sure, and perhaps one day I'll change my mind, but for now, I'm definitely going to try and brush paint my models.

A little disappointed to hear you're unable to get an acceptable finish using Tamiya paints, just after I've bought a load - but I'm sure my standards of acceptable are decidedly lower than yours... and by the time my standards (and ability!) increase, I'll be in the market for new paint anyway, and I'll certainly keep your recommendation in mind!

Thanks for your help.

 

[spanner570]

Ian, it's not so much I can't get an 'acceptable finish' with Tamiya paints, I just find Vallejo Model Air easier to use with my brushes.
...and naughty boy, forget this lower standard nonsense too. It'll come soon enough. Anyway, you should build for your own enjoyment with little thought about other people's standards. It's your model, your style......

Cheers.
Ron

 

[Lynchy]

Ian, it's not so much I can't get an 'acceptable finish' with Tamiya paints, I just find Vallejo Model Air easier to use with my brushes.
...and naughty boy, forget this lower standard nonsense too. It'll come soon enough. Anyway, you should build for your own enjoyment with little thought about other people's standards. It's your model, your style......

Cheers.
Ron

Roger that!

 

[Jakko]

A little disappointed to hear you're unable to get an acceptable finish using Tamiya paints

This is a complaint you hear more about Tamiya paints, but I don’t agree, myself — I’ve been brush-painting and airbrushing Tamiya acrylics for about thirty years, and find both to go fine. Old bottles of Tamiya paint, that may have sat for years after first being opened, can cause problems when brush-painting, but I’ve never had trouble with new or less-than-new ones. Yes, it may need two coats, but I don’t think I’ve ever needed more than that, unlike with some other paints coughsuch as Life Colourcough that other people swear by and paint with just fine.

In other words: it’s a personal preference and experience thing as much as anything else. Sure, some paints are objectively better than others, but just because one person can’t (or can) get along with a certain brand, doesn’t mean you can’t (or can) too.

 

[stillp]

One advantage of Tamiya acrylics is that they're more resistant to handling than Vallejo.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

I've been adding a drop of flow improver to Tamiya paint for brushing recently, it seems to have helped with a lot of the issues I'd been having.

Jakko, I'd be interested in your process for brush painting with Tamiya paints.

 

[Lynchy]

Thanks for all your helpful comments and replies - I'm having much better joy by switching to a better quality brush, and reducing the amount of thinner (just water in my case) to the mix.

A couple of coats and I'm happy with the results. I find keeping the brush a little damp between each coat helps the paint flow over the previous one. Seems almost a little tacky without that step, even when the paint is completely dry.

Picked up heaps of tips from Ron's No Frills Brush Painting Guide - so thanks heaps for that!

 

[Robo]

As the guys say Ian its all down to personnel preference, I get on okay with Tamiya acrylics and I find the trick is to dip the bush in water, then a gentle wipe over some kitchen roll then into the paint, dont overload the brush but put plenty on and then stroke over the model no more than a couple of times then into the paint again, then after a few strokes clean the brush in the water then start again. I must admit I only brush paint small parts and figures anything bigger and out comes the airbrush. I`ve attached some pictures of one of my figures all painted with a brush and Tamiya acrylics. Good luck.

 

[Lynchy]

Thanks for the pointers, Robo! Your figures look fab - love the detail in the skin tone.