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Taster Is this your first time in the HobbyShed? Below are five links to pages within the site, randomly selected for you to sample. Guides: Choosing a kit to suit your modelling ability Gallery: Ghost Rider - Horizon 1/6 Vinyl Model Kit Glossary: A-Z of modelling terminology. 300+ entries! Guides: Basic modelling techniques Visits: Sandwell Historic Vehicle Show About Me My
name's Adam, I'm 30 and from the West Midlands
region of England in the UK. I've
been modelmaking and painting for around twenty years.Adam Bagley. Formerly Redditch, Worcestershire. I've come a long way since, learning through books, clubs and plenty of trial and error. I'm always happy to share my knowledge with others and I'm still as keen as ever to learn new things and to see how others approach their work. It's because of this that the HobbyShed modelling resource has been created with sharing in mind. I hope you enjoy your time in the shed. Modeling. Contact I'd like to know what you think about HobbyShed. Perhaps you've found a dead link, have some constructive criticism or know of an event or product worth reviewing? Whatever your input, I look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions - afterall, it's these that make a better resource. |
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Guides Choosing paint and painting tools There are several paint types and painting methods that can complement a constructed model and applying the right techniques can enhance it significantly.
Choosing Paints Choice of paint will generally be down to your own preference. Try different types and see which you prefer. Experiment until you are happy with the results. Enamel paint is solvent-based. It can be thinned and cleaned with a number of solvents including white spirit. It can emit strong fumes and so should only be used in well ventilated areas. If being sprayed, the use of a face mask is recommended. Acrylic paint is water-based and so can be very advantageous to the modeller. It can be thinned or cleaned up using water rather than a chemical and it has a short drying time. However, acrylic paint does require a specific solvent for thinning if being spraying. Cellulose paint also has a relatively short drying time. However, solvents used for thinning and cleaning can be harmful. Use of a good face mask and a ventilation system is recommended during the application process.
Choosing Brushes You will usually be able to choose from a good range of brushes from your local model shop. Available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, you will probably be faced with a choice from basic and professional ranges. Professional brushes are of a higher quality but, as you'd probably expect, are set at a higher price. As your painting skills increase you may feel confident enough to use specialist brushes with sable hairs. Sable brushes are very expensive but are generally considered the best of the best by expert model and miniature painters. If they are treated properly, sable brushes can last for years.
Choosing Spray Tools Spray tools come in various forms, from the basic aerosol can to the expensive airbrush. Aerosol Can Made by many different manufacturers and variable in quality. Available from model shops, hardware stores and car repair shops. They contain a ready-mixed paint which is dispensed from a press down nozzle at the top of the can. The disadvantages are that you have little or no control over the spray pattern and nozzles are prone to clogging, resulting in paint spatter that can ruin an application. Suitable for undercoating and covering large areas. Useful trigger handles that fit around the nozzle are available. Spray Gun Powered by a replaceable propellant can, the spray gun is a nozzle which releases an air and paint mixture. Ideal for coating models with specially mixed colours. A good purchase for the beginner and average modelmaker.
Airbrush They are basically small versions of the spray gun, applying paint in much smaller spray pattern. They can be bought singularly or in sets and are usually one of two types - single or double action. This refers to the operation of the lever that releases the air and paint mixture. Single action levers release both air and paint at the same time, with the amount of paint released being adjusted by a separate control. Double action airbrushes require two movements, one to release the air and another to release the paint. A movement of the lever which combines the two (usually down for the air and backwards for the paint) will release the paint. Airbrushes are powered by air and this can be provided by a number of sources. Propellant cans are ideal for the beginner. They are simple to use but can prove expensive if there's a lot of spraying to be done. Compressors are available in a number of guises. Ordinary compressors come without expansion tanks or regulation and tend to be noisier than the more expensive type (that said, they are more than adequate for the average modeller). Other compressors have them built in. The regulator allows you to control the pressure at which the air is released to the airbrush, and the expansion tank eliminates the 'pulsing' effect that you can experience from piston-type compressors. Pulsing shows itself in uneven spurts of air reaching the airbrush with can prevent you from getting an even spray pattern. This can be reduced by using longer hose between the compressor and the airbrush. The best compressors are powered by motors that are as quiet as those you get on kitchen fridges. They feature built-in expansion tank, pressure regulator and water trap. Water traps are used to catch the water generated by condensation inside the compressor and hose. If this water finds it's way to the airbrush it can ruin a paint finish. In-line water traps are available for compressors without them and are recommended. |
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