Painting methods

I've only really done my painting with a normal brush and testors enamel paints and some aerosol paint cans. I'm currently researching spray guns, airbrushing and acrylic paints. What do you think is the best method and why for automotive model painting?

I think a high majority of responses to your question will be the airbrush.

Airbrushing offers a lot more control over the paint applied to the model. From paint colour to texture and location/precision. This isn't to say aerosol cans aren't good to use...I'm sure a lot of us started with cans first, but because of the control, it's perfect for scale modelling. Again though, with careful masking and preparation, aerosols can achieve a high quality finish too. Oh and with airbrushing, you don't waste a lot of your paint/money on overspray...paint usage is significantly reduced...although you could argue your cash just gets re-directed towards buying thinner/airbrush cleaner.

At this moment in time, I use my airbrush for applying coloured paints and aerosol cans to apply primer and my clear coat (can't quite get the clear:thinner ratio right yet). I use my fine-tipped hand brush to paint small details or when I don't want to bother cleaning my airbrush for spraying something small.

Don't limit yourself to a few select tools, why not use all as appropriate :smile:

All from the Existing old and possible out-dated FAQS.

How to prepare a body for primming and painting (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&postid=547069&t=9066#post547069)

Painting model car bodies (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t14192.html)

What is primer? Do I have to use it? (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=578991&postcount=14)

What is the purpose of lacquer or clear coat? (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=578997&postcount=20)

What is the difference between the various paint types? (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=578998&postcount=21)

Do I have to buy an airbrush? (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=579014#post579014)

A few extra things.
Whether you use an airbrush or just spray from cans, there will still be differences in quality between the products. With an airbrush, there is the airbrush and compressor to think about. To use an airbrush, you also have to decant and/or thin your paint prior to use. You have to clean the airbrush after each session and some people even suggest getting an airbrush for different paint types (i.e flat colour and metallics).

With cans, you just buy, warm, shake and spray.
Even here though, the brand of paint you buy will have massive differences in spray patterns and consistancy whether it is in the paint itself or even the nozzle.

I spray bodies exclusively with cans.
My (few) completed models.
Ferrari 348 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=921456)
1971 Hemi Cuda (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=921457)
Porsche 924 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=962163)
Jaguar xk-ss (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=591681&highlight=jaguar)


Most other people here use airbrushes and all will use various brands of paint.

Of course, final caveat.
What we can do doesn't mean it's what you can do.
Much of the painting process for bodies isn't about the painting; it is about the preparation of the body for the painting.
A quick (advanced) search for sanding (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/search.php?searchid=2573358) brings up wonders.

I just read the first link...you actually let models dry for over a week? His post was just way too meticulous for me. 4 sandpapers? 6 coats of paint? Brushing off the water? This just sounds like nonsense, it cannot be that hard to get a nice paint job done.

EDIT - On second thought, what Jay says makes sense to why it takes so long and Guiddy says you can use the time to model other parts.

One thing I don't understand, by automotive paint...do you mean normal spray cans?

... This just sounds like nonsense, it cannot be that hard to get a nice paint job done.

Once you actually do at least one nice paint job, you tell us how hard that was. And not the one that YOU think is good, but when somebody tells you that.

It took me few years to master painting. And I still think that I'm only ok.
http://www.italianhorses.net/Tutorials/Primer/primer.htm
http://www.italianhorses.net/Tutorials/PerfectPaint/paint.htm

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/CS6.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/GTO07.jpg

Actually, I'd like to see what he would call a good primer stage.
I've got a car body in primer that I really can get a clear and sharp reflection in but I can still see texture on so it's still not perfect.

By automotive paints, we mean paints in aerosol form as sold in automotive supplies store meant for use on real car bodies.
Also sometimes called touch-up paint.
Ditto for automotive primers.

I just read the first link...you actually let models dry for over a week? His post was just way too meticulous for me. 4 sandpapers? 6 coats of paint? Brushing off the water? This just sounds like nonsense, it cannot be that hard to get a nice paint job done.

EDIT - On second thought, what Jay says makes sense to why it takes so long and Guiddy says you can use the time to model other parts.

One thing I don't understand, by automotive paint...do you mean normal spray cans?
You can achieve excellent resuilts with a normal spray can. It's just a matter of knowing how to use it.

BTW, I frequently apply more than 8 coats. ;)

You can achieve excellent resuilts with a normal spray can. It's just a matter of knowing how to use it.

BTW, I frequently apply more than 8 coats. ;)

Are you including the gloss finish in that number of coats, or just primer and color? Question, when I'm doing fine detail on the body, is that before or after the gloss finish?

Dyno just keep it simple the first couple of builds. Buy a modest Tamiya kit, some Tamiya white primer and a Tamiya can of spray color. They are called TS colors because the numbers start with those letters. If you want to try some acrylic brush paint buy a couple of bottles of that too. Bottom line everything is experimental at this stage so have modest expectations. You shouldn't be worried about clearcoating over color or airbrushes yet.

This stuff can get very complicated. But thats also why its so fun. Theres always something new to learn or improve on.

Dyno just keep it simple the first couple of builds. Buy a modest Tamiya kit, some Tamiya white primer and a Tamiya can of spray color. They are called TS colors because the numbers start with those letters. If you want to try some acrylic brush paint buy a couple of bottles of that too. Bottom line everything is experimental at this stage so have modest expectations. You shouldn't be worried about clearcoating over color or airbrushes yet.

This stuff can get very complicated. But thats also why its so fun. Theres always something new to learn or improve on.

TS stands for Tamiya Spray btw :-)

TS stands for Tamiya Spray btw :-)
I guess I should have said I call 'em "the TS colors". So then what does the X stand for in the gloss acrylics? Is there a Japanese word for gloss that starts with X? XF means "something Flat" probably.

As these guys said it can get very complicated. Ive been modeling for about a year now,using spray cans exclusively. I personally think you should just ease your way into like the cratecruncher said. Its taken me
a long time and about 30 models to finally learn how to paint decently
with the spray can. And im still not there yet. I think using an airbrush
would just complicate things for you. But thats just my opinion:)

TS stands for Tamiya Spray btw :-)
I find that hard to believe it stands for that, considering Tamiya have a range of 4 different sprays:
AS - For aircraft
MS - For Mini 4WD
PS - For RC polycarbonate shells
and of course, TS

I just think it's odd that they would release 4 different formulas yet code one of them "Tamiya Spray"...

The only reason I suggested airbrushing was because that's my opinion to his original question, "What do you think is the best method and why for automotive model painting?". If his underlying reason for asking was to find out which method would be best for him, that's something only he could know. From what I've read, it seems like he could do with getting experience with spray cans first and the stages needed to paint a body.

I find that hard to believe it stands for that, considering Tamiya have a range of 4 different sprays:
AS - For aircraft
MS - For Mini 4WD
PS - For RC polycarbonate shells
and of course, TS

I just think it's odd that they would release 4 different formulas yet code one of them "Tamiya Spray"...

The only reason I suggested airbrushing was because that's my opinion to his original question, "What do you think is the best method and why for automotive model painting?". If his underlying reason for asking was to find out which method would be best for him, that's something only he could know. From what I've read, it seems like he could do with getting experience with spray cans first and the stages needed to paint a body.


TS was the first range they released, that is why it was simply called Tamiya Spray. When they expanded their range to Aircraft/Armour colors, they called them AS - Aircraft/Armour Spray, then MS - Mini Spray, then PS - Polycarbonate Spray. Its really easy.

Oh, I had no idea it was their first range released. Makes perfect sense :) Thanks for the explanation.

You're saying to use Tamiya brand instead of Automotive spray cans? And acrylic paint instead of enamel paint for detail?

Tamiya is by far the best paint in a can.
It does all depend on the colour you want though as well, if it aint available...

I've had very good results using automotive paint from my local auto supplies store (Halfords) and have had equally good results using other brands (Hycote is anyone's interested).

It all comes down to practice and knowing when to stop spraying.

For smaller non-body painting, I use Tamiya and Citidal/Games Workshop paints.