| Once the basic structure of your model
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| airplane is completed, it's time to think
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| about painting.
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| | Spray Can
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| | The spray paint can is also commonly
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| Types of Paint
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| | used for model kits. The spray can:
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| Model paints are generally of two types:
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| | Delivers a smoother paint job with no
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| (oil-based) enamels, or aqueous
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| | brush marks.
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| (water-based) acrylic lacquers. The
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| | Is faster than brushing.
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| hobby enamels thin with mineral spirits,
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| | Requires less cleanup.
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| dry slowly and harden to a high-gloss
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| finish. The hobby acrylics thin with
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| | However, paint cans deliver a wide area
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| water or alcohol, dry faster, and clean
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| | spray and so are somewhat wasteful and
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| up easier. Never mix enamel with
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| | more expensive. Also, there is a limited
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| acrylic, and make sure that you use the
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| | range of colors available, and it's not
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| correct type of thinner.
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| | possible to custom-mix colors. For
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| | multiple colors on a model, masking must
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| | be done to limit over-spray. The cans
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| Brush
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| | will cool down as they are used, which
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| | reduces the paint flow. Place the can in
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| The paintbrush is the simplest method of
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| | warm water for a few minutes to fix this.
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| applying paint. You'll need a broad flat
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| brush for large area coverage, a medium
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| diameter round brush for general use, and
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| a fine-point brush for the smallest
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| | Despite their drawbacks, spray cans can
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| detail.
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| | be very handy, e.g. for single colors
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| The keys to getting a smooth paint job
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| | such as model car bodies. Testors spray
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| are:
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| | enamels and Tamiya spray lacquers are
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| | popular choices.
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| Use a clean brush.
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| Do not overlap brush strokes. Don't
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| paint over an area with wet paint. If
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| | Airbrush
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| needed, let the paint dry, then apply a
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| second coat.
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| | The airbrush is the most versatile tool
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| Use a brush with soft bristles, sable is
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| | for painting small scale models. When
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| best.
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| | used with a compressor as the air source,
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| For a wide area, use a wide brush to
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| | it behaves as a very large spray can,
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| minimize the number of strokes.
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| | while also allowing control of the
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| Keep dried paint particles out of your
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| | pressure and of the amount of paint. The
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| paint bottle. Use a straw or disposable
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| | airbrush can be used to used to create
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| dropper when transferring paint.
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| | fine lines of paint and many other useful
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| For acrylic paints, try adding a small
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| | effects.
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| amount of thinner, or acrylic paint
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| | Some basic tips:
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| retarder.
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| Practice on scrap plastic before
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| | A single action airbrush is simpler,
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| painting your model kit.
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| | easier to learn, and generally lower
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| | cost. However, the double action gives
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| After using the brush, clean up
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| | you more control over the paint job.
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| immediately with the recommended thinner.
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| | A compressor will be cheaper in the long
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| | run than using cans of compressed air.
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