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A fresh look at
Enamels!
How to use the old standby modeling paints
By Pat Covert Photos by the author
T
hese days we have many options for painting models.
The hobby paint manufacturers and aftermarket com-
panies have bombarded us with a plethora of new
offerings – from aqueous acrylics to exotic automotive
coatings. It can be confusing, and you might find your
shelves filled with a myriad of paints and thinners!
Good old-fashioned enamel paints have gotten lost in the
shuffle. Yep, the ones many of us grew up using. What a shame,
because enamels are still the most reliable paints available to mod-
elers. Gloss enamels take on a fantastic shine when polished and
there are more colors and varieties of these available to the mod-
eler than ever before. Likewise, flat enamels come in an
unbelievably wide choice of colors for any type of modeling you
choose. Also, other types of paints can be used in conjunction
with enamels to enhance their usefulness.
In this article we’ll take a fresh look at enamel paints, show you
the many ways to use them, and perhaps open some new doors
that can make your modeling easier – and more fun!
Proper preparation for painting. Before you begin paint-
ing, wash the model parts thoroughly in a solution of warm water
and dish detergent, 1. This will remove oils and mold-release
agent and ensure that your primer and paint will adhere properly.
Resin kits have mold-release agents that are a bit tougher to
remove, so use the company’s recommendations to strip these
coatings.
I advocate using primer before applying gloss paints. Plastic
can be a slippery surface, and primer gives the surface a “tooth” to
which paint can better adhere. Primer also helps you spot surface
flaws that must be corrected before painting.
I recommend going outside the hobby paint market and using
LEFT: Enamels are the most reliable hobby paints, and most model-
ers find them easiest to use. The AMT Ford GT-90 was finished in 1 Always wash kit parts with a solution of dish detergent and
gloss yellow, while the Sci-Fi 3D contraption was sprayed with flat water to remove oils and mold-release agents. After washing,
green and camouflaged with an airbrush. rinse the parts off and allow them to air-dry before painting.