Painting figures

[Tweezers]

Hi all,

Please what is the best preparation for painting 1/76 figures?  ?Just about to purchase modern Airfix figures for first time.

 

While I'm here:

Arabs (Bedouin)  & German Mountain Troops please Aiirfix

[peebeep]

If you're referring to the polyethylene moulded figures, rather than rigid polystyrene, coat them with thinned white glue before applying any paint.

[Tweezers]

If you're referring to the polyethylene moulded figures, rather than rigid polystyrene, coat them with thinned white glue before applying any paint.

Thanks Paul

Links to a brand & thinners?

[peebeep]

Crikey, there's more brands of PVA glue than you can shake a stick at. Go for the ones that are marketed as wood glue, craft PVA tends to be watered down, although you could argue it saves thinning. Thin with water.

[Frederick Kullas]

I tried the PVA  coating but that just made the paints peel off. For many years now I just brush on Humbrol enamel matt black 33 or matt white 34 as a primer. I've had very little problem with paint peeling off.

[Ratch]

I rarely use a primer, but if I have a set of figures that seem to repel paint when its brushed on, I spray with Vallejo Acrylic 74660 Gloss Black Polyurethane Surface Primer. Usually, I use Vallejo and Humbrol acrylics and handle the figures as little as possible.

[Tweezers]

Thaks eyeryone!

humbrol used to do a matt whte enamel  in a sprey can.  Just checked but nothing popped up.

I have an airbrush.

[Peter s]

I use "croc-clips" for electronics to hold base/feet but the "avoid touching" is good advice. That soft plastic is quite paint repellant but also you don't have a huge amount of detail so you can't afford too many coats of paint. I airbrush tamiya flesh as a combination face colour / primer for everywhere else then give it at least 24 hours to dry hard. Even then you can scratch paint off but its good enough.

[Tweezers]

I use "croc-clips" for electronics to hold base/feet but the "avoid touching" is good advice. That soft plastic is quite paint repellant but also you don't have a huge amount of detail so you can't afford too many coats of paint. I airbrush tamiya flesh as a combination face colour / primer for everywhere else then give it at least 24 hours to dry hard. Even then you can scratch paint off but its good enough.

Peter, is this Tamiya enamel or acrylic?  Agree undercoat has to be spreyed on

[Ratch]

Tamiya paints are spirit based acrylics IIRC, that is they don't mix with water

[peebeep]

Tamiya paints are spirit based acrylics IIRC, that is they don't mix with water

Tamiya acrylics  are spirit based, but they are also miscible with water. Tamiya also do a range of enamel paints that are not generally available in the UK. Confusingly they also do a range of acrylic paints that are lacquer based and as I understand it not miscible with water, that are fairly readily obtainable in the UK.  

[Tweezers]

Is this the solution?/media/tinymce_upload/b62e8de1975667ae9d32e9e78e4ce24d.jpg

[Tweezers]

So are any of their rattle cans suitable for a primer coat  before painting with enamel on hairy stick?

[Kenneth ONeill]

If you can get them in the "right colours" then polycarbonate (and/or) Lexan paints might be good for PCV figures, but test on one figure before doing a whole batch.

[Peter s]

Yeah... i've been beaten to it.

 

Tamiya is acrylic but uses alcohol as a solvent not water (Tamiya thinner is a mix of isopropyl alcohol -ie surgical spirit-, water and glycerol). You CAN thin with a small quantity of water but that sort of defeats its one advantage. I use it as a primer coat and for fine detail work (like canopy lines when brush painted) because it sticks harder and quicker than true water based acrylics but you don't get the problems of mixing enamel/acrylic with it. It sprays easily. I prefer model air for "proper" painting but an airbrush initial coat of Tamiya gives you a good primer in most cases thats ready for model air in 10-30 mins. I've bought a few model air own brand primers recently and they're also pretty good. 

[BillMC]

I have a big problem WRT painting 1/72 or 1/76 Airfix figures (and I expect so will many other people). This is becuase unlike the 1/32 firgures there is no recommended list of Humbrol paints and instructions for painting each part of the figure. I managed to do a good job of my WWII British and Germany infantries and my 8th Army, because I have both the 1/72 and 1/32 sets.

Here is the list of 1/72 and 1/76 figures that are awaiting painting - could someone please provide me with recommend colours and instructions? - it would be greatly appreciated thank you.:

German WWI infantry

American WWI infantry

American WWII paratroopers

Russian WWII infantry

German WWII Africa Corps

British WWII Commandos

British WWII RAF personnel

[Ratch]

WW1 Germans

Vallejo Model Color 102 70830 German Fieldgrey WWII = uniform, helmet

Vallejo Model Color 140 70984 Flat Brown = water bottle

Humbrol Acrylic 85 Satin Coal Black = boots, straps

Humbrol Acrylic 94 Matt Brown Yellow = straps, bags

Tamiya XF-20: Medium Grey = greatcoat

Tamiya XF-22: RLM Grey = canister

Tamiya XF-9: Hull Red = entrenching tool handle

Tamiya XF-16: Flat Aluminium = cook pot

Revell Aqua 36 382 Silk Wood Brown = rifle stock

Tamiya XF-23: Light Blue = small pack

Tamiya XF-25 Light Sea Grey = fuel bag

Humbrol Acrylic 237 Matt Desert Tan = straps

Vallejo Model Color 179 70863 Gunmetal Grey = firearms

 

 

WW2 Russians

Vallejo Model Color 115 70988 Khaki = uniform

Vallejo Model Color 141 70921 English Uniform = uniform

Vallejo Model Color 93 70887 Brown Violet = uniform

Vallejo Model Color 103 70821 German Camouflage Beige = uniform

Vallejo Model Color 147 70871 Leather Brown = belts

Vallejo Model Color 166 70994 Dark Grey = valenki (boots)

Vallejo Model Color 169 70950 Black = boots

Humbrol Acrylic 60 Matt Scarlet = collar patches

Humbrol Acrylic 155 Matt Olive Drab = helmet

Humbrol Acrylic 186 Matt Brown / Vallejo Model Color 163 70868 Dark Seagreen = greatcoat

Humbrol Acrylic 9 Gloss Tan = Moisin Nagant 7.62mm M.1891/30 rifle stock

Vallejo Model Color 138 70940 Saddle Brown = PPSh-41 stock

Vallejo Model Color 179 70863 Gunmetal Grey = Moisin Nagant 7.62mm M.1891/30 rifle, PPSh-41 with clip magazine, helmet

 

WW2 Afrika Korps

Humbrol Acrylic 155 Matt Olive Drab = uniform

TAMIYA XF-59: Desert Yellow = blouse, trousers, cap

Vallejo Model Color 102 70830 German Fieldgrey WWII = blouse, trousers, cap

Vallejo Model Color 104 70884 Stone Grey = helmet, ammunition box

Vallejo Model Color 141 70921 English Uniform = socks

Vallejo Model Color 90 70890 Reflective Green = socks

Vallejo Model Color 102 70830 German Fieldgrey WWII = socks

Vallejo Model Color 136 70818 Red Leather = boots

Humbrol Acrylic 186 Matt Brown = entrenching tool handle, Mauser rifle stock, stick grenade 24 handle

Humbrol Acrylic 11 Metallic Silver Fox = goggle & binocular lenses

TAMIYA XF-16: Flat Aluminium = cook pot

Humbrol Acrylic 93 Matt Desert Yellow = bread bag

Vallejo Model Color 48 70898 Dark Sea Blue = collar & shoulder straps

Vallejo Model Color 70871 147 Leather Brown = field flask

Humbrol Acrylic 91 Matt Black Green = gas mask case

Vallejo Model Color 88 70895 Gunship Green = Zeltbahn (cape)

Humbrol Acrylic 9 Gloss Tan = holster

X-10: Gun Metal = Mauser rifle, bayonet, field flask cap, entrenching tool, stick grenade 24 head

Humbrol Acrylic 113 Matt Rust = Camouflage pattern on Zeltbahn (cape)

Humbrol Acrylic 90 Matt Beige Green = Camouflage pattern on Zeltbahn (cape)

Humbrol Acrylic 21 Gloss Black = binoculars, belts, Y straps, cartridge pouches

Humbrol Acrylic 29 Matt Dark Earth = rifle straps

 

 

British Infantry

Vallejo Model Color 70921 141 English Uniform = blouse, trousers

Humbrol Acrylic 26 Matt Khaki = blouse, trousers

Vallejo Model Color 70843 133 Cork Brown/70818 136 Red Leather = jerkin

Vallejo Model Color 70872 149 Chocolate Brown = water bottle

Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black = boots

Vallejo Model Color 70988 115 Khaki / 0880 113 Khaki Grey = gaiters, packs, bayonet frog, webbing, chin strap

Humbrol Acrylic 155 Matt Olive Drab = gaiters, packs, bayonet frog, webbing

Humbrol Acrylic 186 Matt Brown = Bayonet handle

Vallejo Model Color 70864 178 Natural Steel = bayonet hub, water bottle cap, pick axe head, shovel

Vallejo Panzer Aces 310 Old Wood = tool handles

Vallejo Model Color 70890 90 Reflective Green = helmet

Vallejo Model Color 70801 174 Brass = buckles, cap insignia

Vallejo Model Color 70820 4 Off White = chevrons

 

WW2 RAF

The ARMED FORCES Of WORLD WAR II ISBN 0-85613-296-9 Illustration 71

RAF Airman 1939

Humbrol Acrylic 65 Matt Aircraft Blue = shirt

Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black = tie, boots

Vallejo Model Color 70843 133 Cork Brown = thermally insulated jacket, trousers

Vallejo Model Color 70871 147 Leather Brown = flying helmet, gloves

Vallejo Model Color 70988 115 Khaki = Parachute strapping, pack

Vallejo Model Color 70882 118 Middlestone = Fur lining

The ARMED FORCES Of WORLD WAR II ISBN 0-85613-296-9 Illustration 73 RAF Fighter pilot, Flying Officer 1940

Humbrol Acrylic 65 Matt Aircraft Blue = shirt

Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black = tie, shoes

Vallejo Model Color 70964/058 Field Blue = uniform

Vallejo Model Color 70871 147 Leather Brown = flying helmet, gloves

Vallejo Model Color 70921 141 English Uniform = straps, parachute

The ARMED FORCES Of WORLD WAR II ISBN 0-85613-296-9 Illustration 74 RAF Sergeant G. W. Garton, Hurricane fighter pilot, ‘A’ Flight, No. 43 Squadron 1940

Humbrol Acrylic 65 Matt Aircraft Blue = shirt

Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black = tie, shoes

Vallejo Model Color 58 70964 Field Blue = uniform

Humbrol Acrylic 155 Matt Olive Drab = Mae West lifejacket

Vallejo Model Color 70898 48 Dark Sea Blue = backing to insignia

Vallejo Model Color 70901 63 Pastel Blue = insignia

Humbrol Acrylic 160 German Camouflage Red Brown = flying helmet

The ARMED FORCES Of WORLD WAR II ISBN 0-85613-296-9 Illustration 75 RAF Sergeant Ground Support Crew 1940

Humbrol Acrylic 65 Matt Aircraft Blue = shirt

Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black = tie, shoes

Vallejo Model Color 70964/058 Field Blue = uniform

Vallejo Model Color 70898 48 Dark Sea Blue = backing to insignia

Vallejo Model Color 70901 63 Pastel Blue = insignia

The ARMED FORCES Of WORLD WAR II ISBN 0-85613-296-9 Illustration 76 RAF Leading Aircraftwoman RAF 1940

Humbrol Acrylic 65 Matt Aircraft Blue = shirt, stockings

Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black = tie, shoes

Vallejo Model Color 70964/058 Field Blue = uniform

Vallejo Model Color 70898 48 Dark Sea Blue = backing to insignia

Vallejo Model Color 70901 63 Pastel Blue = insignia

Vallejo Model Color 70921 141 English Uniform = haversack & strap

Vallejo Model Color 67 70961 Sky Blue = stockings

RP-3 (Rocket Projectile 3 inch) 60lb Rockets

Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black = shaft, tail

Humbrol Acrylic 15 Matt Olive Drab = warhead

Humbrol Acrylic 130 Satin White or Vallejo Model Air 71001 White or Vallejo Model Color 4 70820 Offwhite = nose band

 

 

HTH

[BillMC]

Thanks for that Ratch.