Be sure your brushes are soft. clean, and flexible, and keep them that way by cleaning with brush cleaner or mineral spirits. Bottle paints should be stirred completely with a stick handle or toothpick, spray paints must be shaken thoroughly- you can hear the agitator ball in the can. Two types of paint are usually used- oil-based enamels which spread thinly and spray very well and water-based acrylics which are easy to clean up and cover very well. Paint thinners that are matched to each of these types of paints will also have to be used. Follow these steps in painting:
1. Wash all plastic parts in warm, soapy water especially any flexible polystyrene parts, such as some HO scale figures before painting. Dry parts and if they are stored for awhile, they should be brushed clean of dust with a tack rag available at automotive supply stores.
2. For best results, paint plastic surfaces with a neutral or gray primer before final color application. This is most important if you are painting light colors over dark plastic.Coat metals with primer before painting. Some miniature metal figures come already primed. Check their instructions. Small parts can often be painted directly on the plastic tree or sprue before being cut off. Touch up the parts after detaching them.
3. You may want to pencil in shapes of such things as camouflage or separate colours before painting.
4. Brush paint in one direction; if your paint is the right consistency, the brush strokes will disappear as it dries. If not, thin it with mineral spirits or paint thinner. Use a variety of different sizes of brushes for large areas to small details. For special treatments, you can even create a brush shape by cutting the bristles to a point or other shape. For stippling paint, a square-tipped brush or even a sponge can be used.
5. Paint light colours first and work towards the darkest colours, leaving enough time for the paint to dry or cure- usually 24 hours for most enamels and at least a few hours for acrylics.
6. Mask with tape or frisket. Using "magic" type tape that is low tack (or stickiness) or specially made masking film called frisket is best. Paint away from the tape rather than into it.
7. Spray paints in a suitable location. If you use spray paints, use them outdoors on a windless day They can spread a film of paint over your room before any change is noticeable. For best results, avoid spraying when both excessive heat and humidity are present. Also, it is important to spray light coats, holding the can at a distance of approximately two feet. Let dry two to three minutes and spray another light coat. To clear valve after using, invert can and spray several seconds. If nozzle clogs, clean with thinner.
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