Any tips for repainting a diecast model?
Discussion
Remove whatever ancilliary bits you can (headlamps, bumpers, wheels etc etc.
If possible, remove the glazing - if not, protect the glazing with Tamiya model tape.
Sand back the existing paint to bare metal.
Spray on a base using Halfords automotive spray can primer (white or gray).
Sand down and polish the primer.
Chose the correct Halfords colour that you need.
Spray the car and buff up and p[olish the finish until the correct sheen is achieved.
Re-attach the bits you initially removed.
There are some good hints and tips on painting metal car kits on teh Grand Prix Models website.
If possible, remove the glazing - if not, protect the glazing with Tamiya model tape.
Sand back the existing paint to bare metal.
Spray on a base using Halfords automotive spray can primer (white or gray).
Sand down and polish the primer.
Chose the correct Halfords colour that you need.
Spray the car and buff up and p[olish the finish until the correct sheen is achieved.
Re-attach the bits you initially removed.
There are some good hints and tips on painting metal car kits on teh Grand Prix Models website.
Just to add to Eric's notes there;
If it's a new model (Jadi, Minichamps etc) easiest way of removing the paint is to take everything off it and dump the shell in paint stripper. Much quicker than sanding. If it's an older diecast model (Corgi or Dinky) then boiling water and caustic soda is the way to go.
Paint wise, as you're using an airbrush, have a look at the Hiroboy site as he custom mixes scale variations of full size car paints. As an example, a 1:1 scale metallic can look awful on a 1:18th car as the flake is too big.
Hiroboy Custom Paint Mixing
They're base coat paints so will need a clear coat on top. They spray very nicely and are airbrush ready.
For re-affixing all the bits and pieces, you could use superglue, but that can lead to problems so the best thing I've found is Micro Kristal Klear
If it's a new model (Jadi, Minichamps etc) easiest way of removing the paint is to take everything off it and dump the shell in paint stripper. Much quicker than sanding. If it's an older diecast model (Corgi or Dinky) then boiling water and caustic soda is the way to go.
Paint wise, as you're using an airbrush, have a look at the Hiroboy site as he custom mixes scale variations of full size car paints. As an example, a 1:1 scale metallic can look awful on a 1:18th car as the flake is too big.
Hiroboy Custom Paint Mixing
They're base coat paints so will need a clear coat on top. They spray very nicely and are airbrush ready.
For re-affixing all the bits and pieces, you could use superglue, but that can lead to problems so the best thing I've found is Micro Kristal Klear
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