Tools for Model Kits Painting

The following are tools that can be used in model kits painting process: Masking Tape, Liquid Mask, Lacquer Thinner, Alcohol or Methanol, Brush, Airbrush Pen, Airbrush Compressor, Ballpoint, Pencil, Marker, Markers, Tip-ex, Paint Container, Putty and Dissolved Putty.

Masking Tape

Masking Tape is one of important painting tools that used to cover parts of model kits that do not want painted, such as canopies on aircraft model kits, or to create certain patterns. Use masking tape for model kits so no trace of paint left on the body or a model kit that can be damaging and difficult to remove. Masking tape for car painting are not fit to use in modeling.

Liquid Mask

Liquid Mask is useful to cover the part of the model kits that not perfectly flat. Liquid mask is used by using provided brush. Be careful because this material is fast drying and should be applied quickly. After dry, Liquid mask will be formed as a synthetic rubber that is easy on the peel if it is not necessary. Liquid Mask is mainly used as paint the wheels (wheel) or parts of an aircraft models kit with the crusts already given masking tape first.

Lacquer Thinner

Lacquer Thinner is found in many building materials stores. This material is not used for the painting process, but used to wash the airbrush, paintbrush, and dilute certain putty or to clean hands and others from the remnants of paint. Fair-efficient than if you buy a special liquid cleaner. Use dispenser bottles that have a funnel (move from the cans into a special bottle) so easy to use.

Alcohol / Methanol

This material can replace the acrylic paint thinner. Alcohol is approaching 90% is sufficient.

Brush

Brush is one important tool, especially for detailing. Brush no longer used for body painting or a wide area of model kits, but it is definitely required for small details like the cockpit area, wheel house, antenna, pilots in the aircraft model kits, etc.. For the size of brushes are most often used is the small size (xxx/000) or very small (xxxx or 0000). Tamiya or Hasegawa brand also has a good detailing brush (tapered) so that detailed painting can be done easily. The selection detailing brush is very important.

Airbrush pen

The main tool airbrush is available ranging from cheap (made in China) to the most expensive as Iwata series etc. For beginners can buy a cheap one, but the strength of the needle quite weak and easily bent so that the paint is not perfect.

Airbrush Compressors

We can use any type of compressor though there is compressor special for airbrush (small membrane type, medium or large piston type). For the stability of the air flow is recommended to use the tube type. Another type is the silent type (there are made from a refrigerator compressor, which is very quiet). Other important component of airbrush compressor is the air regulator. Without air regulator, airbrushing is not possible to do perfectly. Note also for the air flow settings, especially for airbrushing details (low pressure) or for general painting (higher pressure).

Ballpoint, Pencil, Marker

These tools is very useful especially for the making of special details like the cockpit, the pilot or other parts of the aircraft model kits that are hard to do neatly when using a regular paintbrush. Choose waterproof ones in order not to disappear fast.

Paint Container

Paint containers are used as a place to store paint and is very useful to the workplace does not fall apart. These tools also minimize the possibility of scattered, lost, spilled, etc..

Putty

Actually this is one of the supporting components for model kits painting process, especially to cover the remaining gaps or junction kit, or to cover the holes. Creativity of assembler is also needed. Special putty for model kits is easy to use and not too hard like epoxy putty for car painting. Tamiya putty brand is very easy to get in the model kit store. There are types of fast dry putty from Tamiya. Use a toothpick, or putty applicator and wipe putty using a cotton but + acetone. For more neatly finished, protect the part of the model kits that did not want to fit putty with masking tape.

Dissolved Putty

Dissolved putty is a form of other putty that more dilute. Dissolved putty is more commonly used to put putty on difficult places to reach, such as the water intake, injection molding marks etc. This material is very useful in model kits painting process.