Before you Begin:
- This article is one customizer's methods for the entire integrated painting process, presented as an alternative to piecemeal how-to's. To work properly all steps should be followed exactly.
- Please practice these methods on some junk figures first. this information above has been the result of years of tinkering and it really works well for me, but you never know what'll happen, so before you go to spray that laboriously sculptured Tonnika twin, test these formulas out.
- This method, using enamels, is better than acrylics for two main reasons: the paints are matte, and translate better optically in a smaller scale, and are much less viscous, thereby leaving all the details intact (acrylics sometimes obliterate detail). The other reason is durability... you can't scratch this paint off, short of shaving the plastic.
- ALWAYS REMEMBER to use multiple light coats, to avoid runs and build up.
Step 1
There are two choices for a primer base coat. (A primer coat is absolutely mandatory, as it creates a buffer for you paint from the plastic. The sticky legs and arms syndrome is a result of the paint reacting with the plastic outgassing, and the paint never fully cures.)
Use Testors LACQUER BASED DULLCOAT (it's a clear spray), product #1260 (small convenient can). The texture is on a smaller than the human eyesight level, so don't worry about the detail getting messed up.
For resin, fiberglass parts, or dark plastic parts you want to make really light or white (and don't want to paint 20 coats to get 'them there) use PLASTIKOTE'S automotive sanding primer. #T-235 GRAY (from any auto supply store). Get this exact can. This makes a nice even 50% gray base that can be sanded glass smooth, but has that gripable surface for the enamels, and acts as a barrier for the plastic as well as a barrier for darker undercolors.
Prime your figure. ALWAYS REMEMBER to use multiple light coats, to avoid runs and build up.
Step 2
Wait 24 hours to cure, and paint your figures with the enamels, (preferably with an airbrush as to avoid brushstrokes, etc...)
Step 3
Wait 24 hours for these to cure, and finish off with a final light coat of dull coat to get an even finish. Sometimes, if you have brushed on the paints, this final Dullcoat application will smooth out the paint, using too much recreates the end of raiders of the lost ark, with everybody looking like they're melting.
