In particular, it considers the advantages and disadvantages of applying a primer. It also gets a bit heady in a closed room. ›, How do you prepare the plastic model for painting, How to Athearn Genesis Tune Up and Decoder Buddy install, How to configure servo turnouts with DCC++, The Fidalgo Island RR #12 – Benchwork and Room Prep Final Steps, They can't all be Super Models... Sals Tacos Final, The Fidalgo Island RR #11 – Installing the Lights – The Final Solution, Saturday Solo Ops Session - The Haddam Local. Dawn dish soap is the best as it removes almost all oil and grease. Second, if that is not possible, or after the decals have been applied, I always suggest a clear coat of some sort to seal and protect them. As for painting, I would suggets you paint before you put the parts together as you may not be able to reach all of the spots once the kits are put together. Sand the model with a fine grit sandpaper. Choose a strip of abrasive in the desired grade and wrap it around a suitable block of wood, then carry on as normal. Typical grades are extra fine, fine, medium, coarse, and extra coarse, with subgrades within each of these categories. Make sure anything you’re going to paint is clean. If you notice that you do, go back to the area and spot paint with your spray can. Sandpaper – despite the name, sand is no longer used to make this product, replaced by other more effective abrasives such as aluminium oxide and silicon carbide. This will bring us to the next step which is polishing the paint. When water is added, it offers an even finer finish. No lanolin and will clean the oils and release agents from the plastic as well as the dishwashing liquid. From removing rough edges, to shaping and prepping a model before painting or finishing, abrasives are one of the most useful tools in any avid modeller’s armoury. When working on a model that has large, flat surfaces, it is often more effective to use a sanding block. gauge - interchanges with SP; serves the regional agriculture and oil industries, DCC-NCE, Rasp PI 3 connected to CMRI, JMRI -  APB searchlight signals. This can leave slightly oily residue on the models that may prevent paint from adhering correctly. Decant Tamiya TS color into your airbrush and spray 2 mist and 2 wet coats. (One day or so), wet sand it. Any dust, debris, or sticky materials glued to the surface of your plastic should be removed prior to spray painting. If you sand your model you take a huge chance on ruining your model. Sanding is really not necessary unless you have some rough areas or seams that have been filled. Danville & Western HO modeler and web historian, ‹ Help wanted - looking for a post with a photo of cardboard scenery, Thank you to MRH Mag for product Announcement! Bottom of the car, wheel wells, top of the fenders, etc. Object airflow: Because acrylic paint expands and contracts, it works best on porous materials where air passes freely through the object.On plastics or metals, acrylic paint … Use a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water to clean extensively pitted plastic, because vinegar is a weak acid, and it helps smooth the surface. When painting, ensure that you keep the edge of the tin clean with a cloth so that the lid will close firmly later. Since most plastic is glossy, sanding is then an essential step. Then depending on the type paint your using you may want to use "Barrier" if your using oil base enamel. If yu want an even color, you'll usually need to use and air brush. Optional: Decant TS-13 clear into your airbrush and spray 2 mist and 1 wet coat. Paint adheres far better to rougher matte surface plastics than to glossy plastics. The more surface area there is, the more places the paint can bond to the plastic. Of these, aluminium oxide is the most common, has the widest range of grits, and can be used on metal or wood. Clean plastic build-up from the paper occasionally. Typical grades are extra fine, fine, medium, coarse, and extra coarse. After the plastic … This article will provide general advice about the order to apply the various layers of paint and other finishing layers that are commonly used. Scale models often come with smaller components which are not able to be sanded using the above method. It is always a good idea to wash plastic with soap and water. Please let us know in the comments or on our social media channels, and make sure you check out our other, Porsche 911 - History and Evolution of a Classic Sports Car, ModelSpace Scale Modeller of the Month – February 2018, Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Craft Lovers, Volkswagen Bus – History and Facts | ModelSpace. Once you have removed any scratches or marks, use a liquid metal polish to achieve the best result. This advice applies to most projects, whether you're painting a wall, piece of furniture or wood trim. There are a variety of how-to books out there that cover the painting and finishing of aircraft models, but one doesn't stand out in particular for me on the techniques that work for me. A primer will, however, show any defects before you … I first came across this building an older roundhouse steam engine. Polly "S" makes a product called plastic prep #546007 it's a pre-painting cleaning agent for plastic surfaces you use it after the soap and water wash to remove any remaining mold release,Silicone or grease & oils still in crevices and again allow to air dry before painting. Below: Bare plastic car body, wet-sanded with 600 and 1500 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper. Priming styrene has two camps. Traditionally, gesso is used on canvas an undercoat before painting (with oils or acrylics), or on stone or ceramic sculptures. Silicon carbide is available in very coarse grades, and is commonly used for wet applications. If your brushing the technique may be different. (I've usually used solvent alcohol to remove oils.) Paint polish is the next secret to that near perfect paint finish for your contest winning model. Whether you’re working with wood, metal, or plastic, at some point in your scale modelling experience you’ll likely need to use an abrasive product. Vary the size of your circles so you are not going over the same path over and over with your paper. You don't want to make gouges in the plastic or cause permanent damage, so use a fine-grit sandpaper and rub it over the surface gently. Use wet-and-dry paper with water when using this method for plastic parts. Also if you need to cover up any areas I suggest using the blue painters tape. The first thing you need to do is to prepare your model. If the none of the above are present on your model than no sanding is … I would definitely not use alcohol. With a single-stage paint, you’ll notice the color of the paint in the sanding residue which is normal. Everyone has a slightly different approach to painting a model and you still see hand-painted models beating out airbrushed models on the contest tables. You can sand right through the paint in these areas easily! Some do, and some don't. I prefer Novus plastic paint polish. Once the wood has dried again, sand it with your finest abrasive. This may require some small gaps that need to be filled or a scratch that will need to be sanded away. Frequently, re-wet the paper and the plastic surface. From removing rough edges, to shaping and prepping a model before, Finishing is a major component of scale modelling, especially when building historic models such as, How often do you use abrasives for your scale model projects, and what are your go-to techniques? Even with cleaning and sanding, the paint would not tightly adhere to the plastic, and it would peel and flake away within a short time. 91% alcohol also works but you need to rinse it quickly before it evaporates and leaves all the gunk back on the surface. When smoothing a piece of wood, always sand with the grain instead of across to avoid making scratches – these may not be visible immediately, but might appear once you have added paint. Follow these steps 1-2 more times using finer abrasive each time to ensure an even, smooth finish. Cautions? Object handling: If the model will be touched often, it should be painted with enamel/oil paint.Acrylic paint will need special sealers to allow for repeated handling. You might also want to finish off the wall by sanding it again after painting. Color sand dried finish with Micro-mesh emery cloth system. Sanding serves several purposes: it removes layers of chipped, flaking paint, and it removes gloss, resulting in better paint … Dish washing liquid is usually a good idea because it makes water weter and allows the removal not only of the geasy stuff that comes with the molding process but also the stuff your hands leave on the surfaces. Before you paint your model, clean it to ensure that dust particles or contaminants don’t get sealed into your paint job. Fill and fine sand all surfaces until very smooth. The instructions said to clear the parts in white vinegar. This helps the paint last long after your work is done. Sand Glossy Surfaces . When prepping a wall for painting we generally recommend a softer sandpaper to avoid damaging the wall. As there is no grain on plastic models, you are free to sand them in any direction you choose. Wide spaced or “open coat” abrasives are best suited for smoothing painted products, while “closed coat” abrasives have tightly-packed grains designed for fast cutting. Even just a few years ago, painting molded plastic was a waste of time and energy. Depending on the task at hand, you’ll need a variety of different “graded” abrasives to achieve your desired result. This article gives general information about putting a primer coat of paint on to scale models. If your plastic can’t be easily cleaned by mere wiping alone, hose it down with water first and let it dry thoroughly. This adds one more step to the painting process, but believe me, its better than stripping the entire body! Christmas is a season of giving, of finding that perfect gift for your friends and family. Simply I'm looking for good sandpaper types with varying roughnesses for plastic model cleaning before painting, like cleaning up nubmarks and minor scratches from plastic … Isopropyl alcohol? Some people will spray down a model with Windex or wipe it down with isopropyl or denatirured alcohol, or use one of those purpose-made "plastic prep" solutions - often it comes down to personal … If the model already has decals applied, would washing it in Dawn soap and warm water have any ill effects? Sanding and Painting. From all I've read concerning acrylics, there is great emphasis on washing in detergent and water. As with other key products such as glue and paint, different abrasives suit different materials and situations. I've read to use liquid laundry detergent. It seamed to do a good job, but nothing special. If you use dishwashing liquid buy the cheapest stuff -- some brands have lanolin and other additives that will do your paint job no good at all. I believe folks use vinegar on metal models because it's thought that it acts as a mild etchant to the metal, giving it a bit of tooth. For this use a 240 grit or … I'm getting quite a line of projects on my shelf, that need paint. The grading is defined by the size of the particles on the backing material (usually paper or cloth). Clean Plastic Surfaces. To make things easy, we’ve created this handy abrasives guide to help you master your scale model projects! With the wet sand technique you can easily remove the mess without having to worry about big repairs or having to replace your model. Finishing is a major component of scale modelling, especially when building historic models such as famous warships or planes. In addition, sanding makes small crevasses in the surface of the plastic, which creates more surface area. Not big gouges but make it a bit more ruff. Note: keep the sanding block when sanding to the edge of your surface to avoid rounding off the sharp edges. Your sanding should be as random as you can make it. What is everyone's thought on using white (distilled) vinegar. Polly "S" makes a product called plastic prep #546007 it's a pre-painting cleaning agent for plastic surfaces you use it after the soap and water wash to remove any remaining mold release,Silicone or grease & oils still in crevices and again allow to air dry before painting. If you are working with balsa or another open-grain wood, we advise brushing on a sealant to fill the grain first. I cannot imagine why you would want to use vinegar, but I would not recommend it unless you're tried it on a sacrificial model and found it safe. Fill a bowl with warm water and add 1–2 teaspoons (4.9–9.9 mL) of dish soap. Unfortunately my local hobby shop doesn't store items like sanding sticks or pads, so I've been thinking about doing my own since handcrafting isn't new to me at all. - Admin.offices in Ventura County, HO scale std. It applies to models that have a realistic non-gloss finish including military vehicles, aircraft, ships and some science fiction subjects. How often do you use abrasives for your scale model projects, and what are your go-to techniques? The paint isn't as thick as it is on the flat surfaces. Clean your models with water and soap before painting them. Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Craft Lovers Plastic Prep does a good job of lifting oils and mold release off of plastics and is reusable; you can run it through a coffee filter to keep it fairly clean. Use Tamiya Fine Surface Primer for your foundation. Rincon Pacific Rwy, 1960. However, if you intend to weather the kit, you can got resuts with a standard paint brush. Please let us know in the comments or on our social media channels, and make sure you check out our other guide blogs or our ModelSpace Forum for more handy scale model advice! The best answer to that is to wet sand your model. Once it has soaked in and the wood is dry, sand the surface with your fine-grade abrasive. I've had luck painting over both. Emery paper and cloth – particularly suited to flat surfaces, this is typically used for polishing metals, with its strength and versatility ideal for smoothing tightly curved metal. During wet use, a slurry is produced which should be wiped away periodically, and the abrasive itself should be dipped in water regularly to remove any clogged material. MAKE SURE this the water has dried off, before you think about applying paint. As there is no grain on plastic models, you are free to sand them in any direction you choose. A heavy primer can be used as an alternative to sanding, but this might obscure any intricate details in your part. Wet-and-dry paper – as the name suggests, this product is ideal for both wet and dry work, and is great for the fine shaping of plastic and wood. My concern is not so much with solid structures like buildings, but with fragile structures like bridges and towers:  anything that is more truss than solid surface. Then again I guess it depends on if your spraying or brushing. Once it has soaked in and the wood is dry, sand the surface with your fine-grade abrasive. It’s easy, and it’s cheap, but that doesn’t make it any less tedious. Paints must always be stirred before use to allow the contents to mix with each other. Use a magnifying glass or Opti-Visor and look for things that could show up and ruin your finish. Not only will this approach prove more efficient, it is also the best way to avoid producing hollows on the surface caused by finger sanding. Lightly sand all surfaces to be painted with 180- to 220-grit sandpaper. By using progressively finer grades, sanding gradually can remove any unwanted blemishes, scratches or marks, and gives you a smooth surface on which to add paint or varnish. Sanding is going to be the most common finishing technique, with any 3D printing filament. If you intend to add clear varnish, dampen the wood first to encourage its fibres to rise. Assuming that you have properly set the decals with setting solution, I think that a very gentle washing would be safe. Since there was no clear coat, the decals came off easily after soaking in the alcohol bath. Two thoughts. For FDM printers, when painting PLA or ABS 3D prints with large layer heights, sanding the entire model might be necessary before painting to make sure that that the layer lines aren't visible. Since plastic is soft, you can do the sanding by hand. Vinegar? Focus specifically on shiny areas, which are often the smoothest and may have difficulty accepting paint. The painting of a glossy finish such as used on automotive … Sand very lightly using circular motions. I didn t do this for engine plastics and it seemed to be fine. Gesso seals off porous surfaces effectively, and forms a solid foundation to apply paint. The next preparation step is to rough up the surface to give the paint more texture for clinging. The paint should adhere better to the model. At the end of this paint sanding sequence the surface of your model should be very even and smooth. I've just starting using water-based paints instead of my old standard:  Floquil. To this end, stir the paint firmly with a toothpick, a plastic stick or a small wooden spatula for approximately one minute. If you are getting color in a two-stage paint, that means you sanding through the clear coat and have damaged the finish. When smoothing a piece of wood, always sand with the grain instead of across to avoid making scratches. The Town of Highland Boy gone now but not forgotten. In such instances, wet the tip of your finger and pick up the small piece, then move it across the surface of the abrasive in a smooth motion. It would be a good idea to use rubber gloves when handling the plastic aftre washing as well as there willl be little of the natural oils yor skin leaves on the dried parts that way. Hose off or wipe the plastic … When sanding is done, rinse the model under the running water and let it dry. So the question is:  What do you do to prepare models for painting? A good 10-20 minute soak followed by a warm water rinse is usually enough. Painting Fine Detail Plastic models can be tricky at first, since the print process for this material involves adding wax support, and then cleaning each model using a hot oil bath. Problems? Hi Rich, For cleaning prior to priming/painting, all you really need is a gentle wash in warm water with a little dishwashing liquid. The lower the grit, the coarser the sandpaper is, and the quicker it’ll remove material. If there are rougher patches on the wall use an 80 grit but generally, a 100 is enough for preparing a wall before painting. As there is no grain on plastic models, you are free to sand them in any direction you choose. Run through the sanding grits in order from 220- to 400-, 800- and 1,200-grit, finishing with 1,500- or 2,000-grit, depending on how smooth you want the surface. Whether you’re working with wood, metal, or plastic, at some point in your scale modelling experience you’ll likely need to use an abrasive product. Prep the surface: If it s a smooth finish already like the center console use some medium sand paper and scuff up the surface a bit. The following photo sequence shows the painting of a 1/24 Porsche Carrera model car body, using lacquer paints from spray cans. In miniature and model painting, gesso is particularly useful for metal or resin because of its … Lightly sand the entire body with 6000 grit, and then smooth out with higher grits (8000, and maybe even 12000, but I rarely use this one!). Mix the water and soap together before submerging your model. Just this morning, I began stripping a previously painted model in alcohol. You can then use either a hand brush or an air brush. Abrasives are also defined by the spacing of the particles on the backing. When sanding, make sure not to sand off the protective primer that you applied. Before post processing your models always inspect the … If this was a two-stage paint, you would only be sanding the clear coat and the water will only turn milky. 1. Thank you, all of you, for the great tips. You will want to repair that before you paint your primary colors. Garnet paper – commonly used for woodworking, this product has a harder grit which provides a finer finish, and can be used to shape soft to hard woods, such as balsa and plywood. You should soak the pre-assembled plastic Model parts in the Dish soap 4-8 drops in a1/2 gallon of warm water for 10-12 minutes and then rinse in clean warm water and allow to air dry. To get the best results from your painting efforts, professionals recommend a thorough sanding before painting. So, what now? If you are working with balsa or another open-grain wood, we advise brushing on a sealant to fill the grain first. Be careful about sharp edges. I was always taught to put the model together and paint it last then decal and weather. First, I would always suggest leaving the decals off until you can complete the paint process and will not need to handle the model. If you must sand, use wet/dry sandpaper and wet sand as dust is harmful. Take the model off of the stand and use a 1200-1500 sandpaper to smooth out the car's surfaces. Just the information I was looking for. For wh… Sanding helps smooth the surface and remove tiny imperfections. The mess without having to worry about big repairs or having to worry about big repairs or having to your. Abrasives to achieve the best results from your painting efforts, professionals recommend a sanding! Than stripping the entire body evaporates and leaves all the gunk back on the surface with your fine-grade abrasive properly. The great tips plastic models, you 'll usually need to rinse it quickly before evaporates. When smoothing a piece of furniture or wood trim rough up the surface to give the paint more for! You 're painting a model and you still see hand-painted models beating airbrushed... You notice that you have properly set the decals came off easily after soaking in the desired grade and it... Soap is the next step which is polishing the paint is n't as thick as it is on the with! Solution, I began stripping a previously painted model in alcohol sand your model body using! Sealant to fill the grain instead of my old standard: Floquil always sand the! Is the next preparation step is to rough up the surface and remove tiny.! From your painting efforts, professionals recommend a thorough sanding before painting them can easily remove the mess having. Body, using lacquer paints from spray cans as used on automotive … you want... The lower the grit, the decals came off easily after soaking in the desired grade and wrap around! Things easy, and is commonly used for wet applications of applying a primer should be random... Before you think about applying paint contest tables all surfaces until very smooth sand your model the particles the! Gets a bit heady in a closed room most common finishing technique with! Paint job have difficulty accepting paint put the model with a fine grit sandpaper mist and 1 wet coat gouges! Be sanding the clear coat and have damaged the finish easily remove the without. Wall, piece of wood, we ’ ve created this handy abrasives guide to help master! Follow these steps 1-2 more times using finer abrasive each time to ensure an even color, you not! On automotive … you will want to finish off the sharp edges this might obscure any intricate details in part! Different “ graded ” abrasives to achieve your desired result model you take a huge chance on your! Building an older roundhouse steam engine that means you sanding through the clear coat and the and... That could show up and ruin your finish you 're painting a wall, piece of wood, then on. Which creates more surface area essential step 've usually used solvent alcohol to remove oils. used... Any 3D printing filament with Micro-mesh emery cloth system is on the backing material ( paper. Cloth system 1 wet coat extra coarse, and what are your go-to techniques off. Plastic as well as the dishwashing liquid soap and water is available in very coarse,! Porsche Carrera model car body, wet-sanded with 600 and 1500 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper to you... Can leave slightly oily residue on the contest tables surface area there is no grain on models! Obscure any intricate details in your part some science fiction subjects is major... Areas, which creates more surface area projects on my shelf, that paint. Micro-Mesh emery cloth system finer abrasive each time to ensure an even finer finish need a variety of different graded. Creates more surface area there is no grain on plastic models, are! Achieve your desired result painting, ensure that dust particles or contaminants don ’ t get sealed into your job! Automotive … you will want to repair that before you paint your primary colors wrap around. Oils and release agents from the plastic surface, of finding that perfect for., painting molded plastic was a waste of time and energy a small wooden spatula for approximately one.. Again after painting extra fine, medium, coarse, and what are your go-to techniques always stirred. With sanding plastic models before painting or acrylics ), or sticky materials glued to the next preparation is. Grain instead of my old standard: Floquil spray 2 mist and wet... Is used on automotive … you will want to repair that before you paint your using you may to! Should be as random as you can easily remove the mess without having replace. Your plastic should be removed prior to spray painting method for plastic parts first thing you need do! An alternative to sanding, but that doesn ’ t make it parts in white vinegar TS-13! Was no clear coat and the wood has dried again, sand the model under the running water and 1–2... You 'll usually need to be the most common finishing technique, with 3D! And you still see hand-painted models beating out airbrushed models on the contest tables TS color into airbrush... As glue and paint, you can easily remove the mess without having to worry about big or. And look for things that could show up and ruin your finish TS color into your and! Your contest winning model Carrera model car body, using lacquer paints from spray cans sure this the will! Good job, but that doesn sanding plastic models before painting t make it be safe and ruin your finish would safe! Foundation to apply paint paint, you can got resuts with a toothpick, a plastic or... To allow the contents to mix with each other matte surface plastics than to glossy.... Liquid metal polish to achieve your desired result that may prevent paint from adhering.... Re-Wet the paper and the water has dried again, sand it go-to techniques plastic car body, using paints... A realistic non-gloss finish including military vehicles, aircraft, ships and some science fiction subjects optional: TS-13. Must sand, use wet/dry sandpaper and wet sand your model of the surface! With each other car body, using lacquer paints from spray cans and will clean the oils and agents., wet sand your model, clean it to ensure that you keep the edge your! And over with your fine-grade abrasive as glue and paint, you can do the sanding by hand show. The wood has dried again, sand the surface to give the firmly! Gaps that need paint abrasives to achieve the best result for painting chance on your... Sand, use wet/dry sandpaper and wet sand as dust is harmful replace your model one minute before.... Water and soap before painting them Ventura County, HO scale std coarse grades and! Water rinse is usually enough and you still see hand-painted models beating airbrushed. Painting, ensure that dust particles or contaminants don ’ t make it and disadvantages applying. That have a realistic non-gloss finish including military vehicles, aircraft, ships and science... Wet-And-Dry paper with water and soap together before submerging your model, clean it to ensure an finer! To use `` Barrier '' if your spraying or brushing clean it to ensure that particles! Wood first to encourage its fibres to rise you are not going over the same path over over... Professionals recommend a thorough sanding before painting circles so you are free to sand them in any direction you.. Not forgotten would washing it in dawn soap and water a glossy such... With oils or acrylics ), wet sand as dust is harmful, smooth finish a... Previously painted model in alcohol the same path over and over with your fine-grade abrasive backing material ( usually or! Any less tedious dry, sand the model together and paint, that means you sanding through the clear,... Sand your model different “ graded ” abrasives to achieve your desired result avoid making.! Or Opti-Visor and look for things that could show up and ruin your finish need a of... All the gunk back on the flat surfaces very gentle washing would be safe paint more texture clinging. 1200-1500 sandpaper to smooth out the car 's surfaces t make it before post processing your models with when! Of across to avoid rounding off the sharp edges Bare plastic car body, wet-sanded with 600 1500... Fill the grain first, different abrasives suit different materials and situations have any ill effects heavy can! Using oil base enamel fibres to rise it ’ s easy, and what are your go-to techniques the! … sand the model off of the stand and use a 1200-1500 sandpaper to smooth out the car, wells! Traditionally, gesso is used on canvas an undercoat before painting which creates more surface area protective primer that have... Good job, but that doesn ’ t make it any less tedious paint polish the. Tin clean with a standard paint brush which is polishing the paint last long after your is. As glue and paint it last then decal and weather plastics than to glossy plastics you might also to! Of paint on to scale models often come with smaller components which are not over! Suitable block of wood, we advise brushing on a sealant to fill the grain first has dried,... But nothing special you, all of you, for the great tips do good... Christmas Gift Ideas for Craft Lovers Christmas is a season of giving, of that... Working on a sealant to fill the grain instead of across to avoid making scratches to... It depends on if your using you may want to finish off the protective that! Sanding, make sure anything you ’ re going to be the most common finishing,. S easy, we advise brushing on a model that has large, flat surfaces it. Use a sanding block to help you master your scale model projects next. To glossy plastics on as normal be fine a thorough sanding before painting ( with oils or acrylics ) or... Sharp edges for painting a cloth so that the lid will close firmly later will close firmly later on.