In what order do you paint your models and what techniques do you use?

[BOOSTD]

Just a curiosity thread. I am keen to know what parts of your models you paint first and last and what different techniques you use to paint the parts. eg, brushpaint or spray, use drybrushing etc etc

I really want to perfect my model building skills and I want to learn from the best.

[z33guy]

I paint all the ones with the same color at the same time. Then i do the body, decals, clear. Then assemble

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

My typical build involves prepping the body (cleaning it and removing mold lines, filling any errors), painting it w/airbrush or Tamiya spray can paints. I paint all body colored items at this time (sometimes the mirrors/hood/spoilers are mounted together and sprayed as I'm spraying the body). Once dry, I mask/paint the trim (after the body is polished-not waxed).

Then I spray parts for sub-assemblies like chassis, suspension, engine, interior. Things that are flat/semi-gloss black get shot w/Tamiya spray cans, or sometimes w/acrylic flats. Most accent colors are brush painted w/acrylics. I try to paint as many parts that are the same color in a batch to minimize repetition.

While sub-assemblies dry or are assembled, I'll paint detail items like window-surrounds on the inside of the glass (usually w/airbrush and masks), and brush paint lenses w/acrylic transparent colors. Detail painting like drybrushing is usually done pretty late in the game.

If you want absolute perfection, you remove mold lines from every part, and airbrush every single part w/the basic color, and add detail paint to each of those parts (secondary/contrasting colors, washes, drybrushing-acrylics are usually the best for doing brush painting). Treat every part like it's a fully-detailed model. In this case, you pretty much do a lot of detail work on the parts in advance, and then start building once you get all the parts painted for a particular sub assembly.

[tonioseven]

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5
My typical build involves prepping the body (cleaning it and removing mold lines, filling any errors), painting it w/airbrush or Tamiya spray can paints. I paint all body colored items at this time (sometimes the mirrors/hood/spoilers are mounted together and sprayed as I'm spraying the body). Once dry, I mask/paint the trim (after the body is polished-not waxed).

Then I spray parts for sub-assemblies like chassis, suspension, engine, interior. Things that are flat/semi-gloss black get shot w/Tamiya spray cans, or sometimes w/acrylic flats. Most accent colors are brush painted w/acrylics. I try to paint as many parts that are the same color in a batch to minimize repetition.

While sub-assemblies dry or are assembled, I'll paint detail items like window-surrounds on the inside of the glass (usually w/airbrush and masks), and brush paint lenses w/acrylic transparent colors. Detail painting like drybrushing is usually done pretty late in the game.

If you want absolute perfection, you remove mold lines from every part, and airbrush every single part w/the basic color, and add detail paint to each of those parts (secondary/contrasting colors, washes, drybrushing-acrylics are usually the best for doing brush painting). Treat every part like it's a fully-detailed model. In this case, you pretty much do a lot of detail work on the parts in advance, and then start building once you get all the parts painted for a particular sub assembly.

I'm far from perfection but I follw this same protocol!! He knows his stuff!!

[hirofkd]

* Hand paint Mr. Surfacer, where seams lines are eliminated
* Spray Mr. Surfacer lightly twice
* Spray base color lightly twice (for ex. pink for red or tan for yellow)
* Spray or airbrush body color lightly three times
* Spray TS13 Clear or Gunze Super Clear lightly eight times

Between each waiting period, I paint the large parts, such as engine block, chassis and interior by spray can or airbrush, then I hand paint the detail parts.

After sanding and polishing the body, I hand paint or chrome foil the light brackets, and complete the assembly. Then I paint the tail lights and markers. Last parts to paint and glue is usually the wiper or license plate.

Apply decals, and it's done.

[Hiroboy]

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5
My typical build involves prepping the body (cleaning it and removing mold lines, filling any errors), painting it w/airbrush or Tamiya spray can paints. I paint all body colored items at this time (sometimes the mirrors/hood/spoilers are mounted together and sprayed as I'm spraying the body). Once dry, I mask/paint the trim (after the body is polished-not waxed).

Then I spray parts for sub-assemblies like chassis, suspension, engine, interior. Things that are flat/semi-gloss black get shot w/Tamiya spray cans, or sometimes w/acrylic flats. Most accent colors are brush painted w/acrylics. I try to paint as many parts that are the same color in a batch to minimize repetition.

While sub-assemblies dry or are assembled, I'll paint detail items like window-surrounds on the inside of the glass (usually w/airbrush and masks), and brush paint lenses w/acrylic transparent colors. Detail painting like drybrushing is usually done pretty late in the game.

[BOOSTD]

Great so far guys, keep it coming. Do you guys thin your paint out a lot when you brush paint small parts?