Tamiya Plastic Models
Discussion
Starting to get back into these now and have a couple of 1:24 cars waiting to be built.
Have done a few over the years, but always been a little bit disappointed with the finish in the end. Especially the paintwork.
Has anyone got any good links to a site with some hints and tips on building and painting these? Had a look, but cannot find an awful lot.
Have always used the Tamiya acrylics and TS paints. One thing I have never really done is prime all of the pieces before the final colour coat? Do most people do this? Will it give a much better finish?
If so, is it better to go over all of the parts while they are still on the sprues with a can of primer?
Thanks
Have done a few over the years, but always been a little bit disappointed with the finish in the end. Especially the paintwork.
Has anyone got any good links to a site with some hints and tips on building and painting these? Had a look, but cannot find an awful lot.
Have always used the Tamiya acrylics and TS paints. One thing I have never really done is prime all of the pieces before the final colour coat? Do most people do this? Will it give a much better finish?
If so, is it better to go over all of the parts while they are still on the sprues with a can of primer?
Thanks
If you're building Tamiya then you'll probably wince at my attempts, but it's lunchtime so I'll chip in.
Definitely prime - I use a primer formulated for plastic (have black, dark green, light grey and white because n+1) in rattle cans. A couple of thin coats make all the difference to the colour coats' finish. Also, wash the plastic in warm soapy water before doing anything as there's release agent on the plastic and the paint will not adhere to it.
I'm transitioning to airbrush - as in I dug out an old Badger & air can that I bought a decade or two ago and finally worked up the courage to try it out. Masking is a pain and the first couple of attempts were dire, but the finish now is definitely better than I've ever managed when brush painting.
On or off the sprue depends on the size of the piece. For smaller parts like aerials, wheels, etc. it's easier to keep on the sprue (because I'll snap off anything delicate protruding from the model) but mounting on lollipop or cocktail sticks for really small parts so you have access all around is also quite common.
There are lots of build threads on YouTube that can be worth watching, particularly if it is the same model as you intend to build.
Definitely prime - I use a primer formulated for plastic (have black, dark green, light grey and white because n+1) in rattle cans. A couple of thin coats make all the difference to the colour coats' finish. Also, wash the plastic in warm soapy water before doing anything as there's release agent on the plastic and the paint will not adhere to it.
I'm transitioning to airbrush - as in I dug out an old Badger & air can that I bought a decade or two ago and finally worked up the courage to try it out. Masking is a pain and the first couple of attempts were dire, but the finish now is definitely better than I've ever managed when brush painting.
On or off the sprue depends on the size of the piece. For smaller parts like aerials, wheels, etc. it's easier to keep on the sprue (because I'll snap off anything delicate protruding from the model) but mounting on lollipop or cocktail sticks for really small parts so you have access all around is also quite common.
There are lots of build threads on YouTube that can be worth watching, particularly if it is the same model as you intend to build.
Just to echo Eric, have a look through this sub-forum, there are many good builds, and I have picked up many tips on here from reading as much about car models as I have aircraft.
There is also www.britmodler.com where some o the chaps on here also post
There is also www.britmodler.com where some o the chaps on here also post
DeuxCentCinq said:
I've had the same issue. Been very careful with the glueing and assembly of an NSX and an MX-5, only for the paint to let it down. Tried Tamiya paints and Humbrols. Primer to me seems like it would lose a lot of the detail?
Tamiya Fine Surface Primer is very good. Even with light coats it often appears to be frighteningly thick, but then dries to a much thinner covering. It can be flatted with wet & dry, and comes in grey or white. I usually use it as a guide coat to show up any imperfections rather than a true primer.Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff