Marcus Chen
There are several types of paint used for model-making, including acrylic paints, enamel paints, lacquer paints, and oil paints. Acrylic paints are water-based and are the most popular type of paint used by modellers because they are non-toxic, odourless, and dry quickly. Enamel paints are oil-based and were the first type of paint designed for model-making. They are hard-wearing and slow-drying, which makes them ideal for blending and for creating large-scale figures. Lacquer paints are solvent-based and are often found in spray cans. They dry harder than acrylics and enamels, making them suitable for creating high-gloss finishes for model cars. Oil paints are luminous and can bond to almost any surface, but they have slow dry times and require turpentine for clean-up.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types | Acrylic, Enamel, Lacquer, Oil |
| Base | Water, Solvent |
| Pigments | Fine powders that do not dissolve but are suspended in the paint |
| Binder | Acrylic Polymer, Oil |
| Vehicle | Water, Solvent |
| Drying Time | Acrylics: Short; Enamels: Slow; Oils: Slow |
| Toxicity | Acrylics: Non-toxic; Enamels: Toxic; Oils: Toxic |
| Odour | Acrylics: None; Lacquers: Strong; Oils: None |
| Application | Brush, Airbrush, Spray Can |
| Finish | Gloss, Satin, Matt |
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What You'll Learn
- Acrylic paints: non-toxic, odourless, quick-drying, and easy to work with
- Enamel paints: oil-based, hard-wearing, and ideal for large-scale models
- Lacquer paints: solvent-based, found in spray cans, and dry to a harder finish
- Oil-based paints: luminous, bond well, and safe to use, but slow-drying
- Water-based paints: safe, non-toxic, and ideal for use in less ventilated areas
Acrylic paints: non-toxic, odourless, quick-drying, and easy to work with
Acrylic paints are one of the most popular types of paint used for modelling. They are non-toxic, odourless, and quick-drying, making them a convenient choice for modellers. Acrylics are water-based paints, and their fast-drying properties mean that modellers do not have to wait long between coats. This also makes them ideal for painting in layers.
Acrylic paints are easy to work with and can be applied using a variety of techniques, such as drybrushing. They can also be thinned with water to create washes, allowing for a range of different effects. Acrylics are versatile and can be used on various surfaces, including canvas, paper, wood, fabric, stones, glass, and plastic.
The ingredients used in acrylic paints can vary, and some manufacturers may use chemicals to enhance their performance. However, there are natural and non-toxic options available that are made with plant-based resins and natural pigments. These paints are biodegradable and can be safely disposed of, although they are still durable and permanent.
When choosing acrylic paints, it is important to consider the specific ingredients and potential toxins. Some paints may contain harmful additives, solvents, or carcinogenic ingredients. Checking health labels and looking for non-toxic certifications, such as ACMI AP or ACMI HL, can help ensure the paints are safe to use.
Overall, acrylic paints are a popular choice for modelling due to their convenience, versatility, and ease of use. With their fast-drying properties and the ability to create a range of effects, they are a great option for both beginners and experienced modellers alike.
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Enamel paints: oil-based, hard-wearing, and ideal for large-scale models
Enamel paints are oil-based and are ideal for large-scale models. They are hard-wearing and were the first type of paint designed for model-making. Enamel paints are perfect for repairing chipped paint on cars, bikes, and appliances. They are also slow-drying, which makes them easier to blend as you paint. This makes them a popular choice for modellers who build large-scale figures. Enamel paints can be thinned with white spirit or turpentine for use with an airbrush and for cleaning brushes. There are also specially designed enamel paint thinners available. These paints come in small 14ml metal tins, and you will need a tool like a flat-head screwdriver to remove the lid.
Enamel paints are available in a wide range of colours, including gloss, satin, and matt finishes. They can be purchased from brands such as Humbrol, Vallejo, Tamiya, Testors, Revell, AK Interactive, Rust-Oleum, and GSI Creos.
While enamel paints have their advantages, they also have some drawbacks. For instance, they take a few hours to become touch-dry and up to a few days to completely cure. Additionally, the need to use turpentine for cleanup is cumbersome and toxic.
Enamel paints are just one of several types of paint used for model-making. Acrylic paints, for example, are the most popular type of paint used by modellers. They are non-toxic, odourless, and dry very quickly, allowing for shorter completion times for projects. Water-based acrylics can also be easily made into washes by heavily thinning them with water.
Solvent-based paints, on the other hand, require the user to take the necessary health and safety precautions, such as wearing a respirator with organic solvent filters and ensuring adequate ventilation.
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Lacquer paints: solvent-based, found in spray cans, and dry to a harder finish
Lacquer paints are solvent-based and are available in spray cans. They are known for their rapid drying time, often becoming dust dry within 5-10 minutes and touch dry in 30-40 minutes. They dry to form a hard, durable finish that can be polished to a high sheen. Lacquer spray paints are particularly effective due to their superior adhesion properties on various surfaces, including wood and metal. They are also suitable for use on glass, stone, clay, and some plastics.
Lacquer paints use nitrocellulose or synthetic resins as their primary binder and are known for their exceptional ease of application and wide range of colours. They are commonly used in automotive finishes, furniture, and musical instruments. Lacquer paints are also self-etching into plastic, so a primer is not necessary, although it can still be beneficial depending on the specific process.
One unique property of lacquer paint is that it never truly cures. Even after it has dried, it can always be reactivated using a lacquer thinner. This makes it difficult to hand-brush, as the paint will reactivate any underlying coats of lacquer. However, it sprays beautifully through an airbrush and is highly resistant to other thinners.
Lacquer paints contain acetone, which is also found in modelling cements like Tamiya Extra-Thin, used to join plastic pieces together. This is why lacquer paints adhere so well to plastic surfaces. It is important to note that not all lacquer paints have high enough levels of acetone to etch plastic.
While solvent-based lacquer paints are commonly used, there are also water-based options available. Water-based lacquer fumes are less hazardous and do not have the same combustibility issues as solvent-based lacquers. However, they can still produce airborne particulates, so proper protective wear is necessary. Water-based lacquers are commonly used in wood furniture finishing and are increasingly used in the automobile industry.
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Oil-based paints: luminous, bond well, and safe to use, but slow-drying
Oil-based paints are widely used for modelling, particularly enamel paints, which were the first type of paint designed for this purpose. Modellers value oil-based paints for their luminous properties and their ability to bond to almost any surface.
One of the main advantages of oil-based paints is their durability. They are less vulnerable to environmental factors such as heat, humidity and moisture, and they are able to withstand substantial wear and tear from knocks and scuffs. Oil-based paints are also less likely to chip, crack or fade over time, and they can generate an incredibly smooth, high-gloss finish with minimal brush marks.
However, oil-based paints have some drawbacks. They contain higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful to the environment and human health. Oil-based paints also have a strong odour, which can be invasive, and they take significantly longer to dry than water-based paints, typically 6-8 hours to touch dry and 24 hours to fully cure. This slow drying time can be advantageous, however, as it gives artists more time to develop the paint job gradually and blend colours as they work.
Oil-based paints are generally safe to use, but they require turpentine or mineral spirits for cleanup, which can be cumbersome and toxic.
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Water-based paints: safe, non-toxic, and ideal for use in less ventilated areas
Water-based paints are ideal for modellers who want to work in less ventilated areas, as they are non-toxic and odourless. This is especially important for those who are painting at home around their family. Water-based paints are also popular because they dry very quickly, meaning you don't have to wait long between coats. This fast-drying quality is due to the fact that water-based paints are thinner than oil-based paints, so they require less thinner to achieve the correct consistency for airbrushing.
Water-based acrylic paints are the most common type of paint used for miniatures and plastic models. They are made by adding colour pigment to an acrylic polymer, which is then emulsified with water to create the final product. Acrylic paints can also contain various fillers that may or may not affect performance. They have vastly improved over the years and can now perform as well as oil-based paints in most cases.
Water-based acrylics can be thinned with water, but for best results when airbrushing, it is recommended to use a specially made acrylic paint thinner. You can also add an acrylic paint retarder to slow the drying time. Some manufacturers use an alcohol base instead of a water base, which dries even faster than water-based acrylics. Alcohol-based acrylics are also ideal for airbrushing as the alcohol keeps the paint from drying in the nozzle.
Vallejo Model Color is a well-known water-based paint that comes in dropper bottles. It is good for brush painting and is available at a decent price in the US, but it can be frustrating for airbrushing if not thinned properly. For airbrushing, some recommend Ammo by Mig or Tamiya Acrylics, which are alcohol-based.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three main types of paint used for modelling: acrylic paints, enamel paints, and lacquer paints.
Acrylic paints are water-based paints that generally wash out in water. They are the most popular type of paint for modelling and are the most highly recommended for beginners. They are easy to work with, dry quickly, and can be thinned by mixing with water.
Enamel paints are oil-based paints and are much more hard-wearing than acrylic paints. They were the first type of paint designed for modelling and, for a long time, were the only option. Enamel paints can be thinned with white spirit or turpentine and are slower drying than acrylic paints.
Lacquer paints are solvent-based paints that are mostly found in spray can form. They dry much harder than acrylics and enamels and have more colour variations and options for high-gloss finishes. However, they have a very strong odour and are recommended for outdoor use or in well-ventilated areas only.
Yes, you can use the three types of paint together on one model, but this must be done with care. Ensure that each layer of paint is fully dry before coating it with another. The solvent base in lacquers might reactivate the layers of acrylic and enamel paints, so test the new layer on a small portion of the model first.
