How to Paint a Model Airplane
Once the basic structure of your model airplane is completed, it's time to think about painting.
Types of Paint
Model paints are generally of two types: (oil-based) enamels, or aqueous (water-based) acrylic lacquers. The hobby enamels thin with mineral spirits, dry slowly and harden to a high-gloss finish. The hobby acrylics thin with water or alcohol, dry faster, and clean up easier. Never mix enamel with acrylic, and make sure that you use the correct type of thinner.
Brush
The paintbrush is the simplest method of applying paint. You'll need a broad flat brush for large area coverage, a medium diameter round brush for general use, and a fine-point brush for the smallest detail.
The keys to getting a smooth paint job are:
- Use a clean brush.
- Do not overlap brush strokes. Don't paint over an area with wet paint. If needed, let the paint dry, then apply a second coat.
- Use a brush with soft bristles, sable is best.
- For a wide area, use a wide brush to minimize the number of strokes.
- Keep dried paint particles out of your paint bottle. Use a straw or disposable dropper when transferring paint.
- For acrylic paints, try adding a small amount of thinner, or acrylic paint retarder.
- Practice on scrap plastic before painting your model kit.
After using the brush, clean up immediately with the recommended thinner.
Spray Can
The spray paint can is also commonly used for model kits. The spray can:
- Delivers a smoother paint job with no brush marks.
- Is faster than brushing.
- Requires less cleanup.
However, paint cans deliver a wide area spray and so are somewhat wasteful and more expensive. Also, there is a limited range of colors available, and it's not possible to custom-mix colors. For multiple colors on a model, masking must be done to limit over-spray. The cans will cool down as they are used, which reduces the paint flow. Place the can in warm water for a few minutes to fix this.
Despite their drawbacks, spray cans can be very handy, e.g. for single colors such as model car bodies. Testors spray enamels and Tamiya spray lacquers are popular choices.
Airbrush
The airbrush is the most versatile tool for painting small scale models. When used with a compressor as the air source, it behaves as a very large spray can, while also allowing control of the pressure and of the amount of paint. The airbrush can be used to used to create fine lines of paint and many other useful effects.
Some basic tips:
- A single action airbrush is simpler, easier to learn, and generally lower cost. However, the double action gives you more control over the paint job.
- A compressor will be cheaper in the long run than using cans of compressed air.
- Use the paint maker