Hi guys,
Sorry to ask this stupid question, but how do you paint white, either with an airbrush, spray can or brush? I cannot get it right, it seems not to hold, comes out thin or looks just crap. I have heard that mixing a little black in helps. As I am about to do some serious white kits, any help will be appreciated.
White is one of those colours where multiple thin coats is essential. It’s just about impossible to attain sufficient coverage in a single pass. You could empty a whole can on a single spot, and what doesn’t run off would still be thin and “weak”. Apply in layers, allowing the previous layer to dry so the next layer has something to “bite” on. It may take 4-5 passes (or more) to get sufficient coverage, but it’s worth the effort.
If you’re painting gloss white, you may consider doing the initial coats with flat white amd then the “finish” coats with the gloss, as gloss whites can be a bit weaker than their flat counterparts.
The best white for brush painting is Vallejo acrylic. Covers well & is opaque. For the AB, my favorite is Floquil Reefer White enamel. Can’t be beat IMHO.
Regards, Rick
I wish I could get my hands on those “exotic” paints, I am limited to Gunze and Tamiya, and now Humbrol acrylics. I will try to get some of those if I can, otherwise I will do multiple coats and see what happens.[:)]
It seems like very few hobby shops in Australia carry Vallejo. I know Frontline Hobbies in Newcastle and Stanbridges in Perth do. I tend to order mine online from LuckyModel in HK. I know I should support my local hobby shops, but its cheaper and more convenient.
I believe Frontline also carries LifeColor, but I’ve not tried them so I don’t know what they’re like.
White is a maddening color to paint… as stated above, you will have to do multiple coats, 4-5 at least… the Vallejo is nice but I have switched over to Tamiya flat white, seems to get better coverage. Use the flat white for every coat and then hit it with a layer of gloss clear or future if you want a gloss finish…
Are you painting a gloss or flat white? The tamiya flat white is just fine to airbrush. Key is, as mentioned to really go with several light coats, allowing to fully dry between. If a gloss is what you’re looking for, I’ll, again, as stated, start off with a matt white, then add gloss in the final layers.
As for handbrushing, if you can’t get Vallejo or something else (although IMO the Humbrol acrylics are a fantastic paint range), see if you can get Citadel paints, from the Warhammer tabletop game. These paints will brush-paint perfectly, but again, white, to get the best result you will want to do two or three coats.
That is what I do-gloss white tends to flow towards the details and seams and for me leaves an un even finish. So first I spray with a matt then gloss. For landing gear bays I spray matt then use gloss clear.
try priming with a light gray primer light Tamiya’s spray can first, the white covers much better trying to hide a light gray color than some dark color plastic. The primer allows the white better bite into the plastic too.
[#ditto]
like he said always prime im doing a shelby cobra with racing stripes and I primed it with model masters acrylic which provides a almost flawless primer and i have had no problem with coverage or anything so ALWAYS PRIME