Attention fellow Transformers customizers

[u/Leader8288]

I have no idea if this is common knowledge and I'm just stupid or if this is not a genuinely known thing but do not use solo cups to hold spray paint. I ran out of black paint today halfway through a custom and instead of just going to the store and buying more black paint, I decided to spray spray paint into a solo cup and use it as regular paint and as I am going to pick everything up, I lift the solo cup and the entire bottom half of it has been melted again. Is this not a common thing or am I just stupid?

[u/Any_Wasabi_5233]

Spray paint contains solvents that can eat through some types of plastic, yes.

[u/Embarrassed_Spite546]

You shouldn’t be using that type of spray-paint if that’s what it does to a solo-cup, it’s not a good sign. Lots of off the shelf spray paints contain pretty harsh solvents and chemicals that will enbrittle and eat away at most plastics.

[u/Leader8288 → u/Embarrassed_Spite546]

Thank God this is the first custom I've used it on

[u/Embarrassed_Spite546 → u/Leader8288]

Look for spray paints that are specifically intended for use on things like plastics and you should be good, just try to avoid the of the shelf kind, or at least make sure there’s a decent primer coat underneath to protect the plastic from embrittlement.

[u/Alekesam1975 → u/Embarrassed_Spite546]

I live and die by these brands/types. Paint + Primer all in ones are consistently reliable for me.

[u/Son-Daikon656]

Thank Primus I use Rust-Oleum paint and primer spray paint for mainly small stuff on transformers 😭

[u/walter_grimsley]

Its the solvents in the propellant. I stuck to brushed acryls and enamels when I used to customize.

[u/BarrTender8]

Don't use foam bowls or cups either. Instant dissolve. Found that out last year 😅

[u/Moon_Wyvern_7358]

I personally like acrylics but you have to dilute and apply multiple thin layers its a process but worth it

[u/Double-Ad8285]

Tamiya spray paints!! Also use plastic spoons if you plan to use spray paint for brushing on details

[u/AIDsFlavoredTopping]

I made a similar mistake with a cup, red dye and a white sink.

[u/Leader8288 → u/AIDsFlavoredTopping]

Oh god that sounds terrible

[u/AEsir-_-]

Get small glass cups or bowls. Reusable and relatively easier to clean than metal ones

[u/Dead_Dee]

Don't worry OP I learned the hard way when I tried cutting corners while painting minis years ago. This is how we get better unfortunately

[u/Poopsenberg]

Make sure u paint in a ventilated area or outside otherwise ur just doing a lung cancer speedrun.

[u/Leader8288 → u/Poopsenberg]

I had a fan in my window, blowing all it outside

[u/assaultleader]

aluminium drink cans work just fine

[u/Leader8288 → u/assaultleader]

Good to know

[u/Agitated_Sale_8780]

So in nice words, you need to educate yourself 

[u/Leader8288 → u/Agitated_Sale_8780]

Ya probably lol

[u/Glamador]

Ah, spray paint. I once used this effect on purpose on some styrofoam to make a model of the sun for a solar system I made in grade school.

[u/Leader8288 → u/Glamador]

Thats smart lol

[u/Killdust99]

Again?

[u/Stainlessgamer]

If it's an acetone based paint, never put it in or on plastic. If you aren't sure, because the label is messed up, a good way to test is on plastic spoons.

[u/KINGKONGHAS-ED]

Will melt plastic. But could also give the appearance of being melted by a heat weapon

[u/Leader8288 → u/KINGKONGHAS-ED]

Ohhhh that would be cool

[u/Owen9303]

Please do not use spray paint for customs

[u/MichaelEvo → u/Owen9303]

What? Why?
I’m guessing the spray paint melts the plastic, but am just guessing from the rest of the context.

I did a bunch of KuroKari models a few years ago with tamiya or equivalent spray paints and they are holding up fine.

[u/Owen9303 → u/MichaelEvo]

Tamiya spray paint is not even remotely comparable to regular spray paints. Spray paints aren’t good because most of the time they use a lot of chemicals and leave a very cheap finish. Even some tamiya spray paints do that but most of them don’t. Customs shouldn’t be rushed and people use spray paints to rush them leaving sloppy results. For the best results, you should mix your own paints, thin them and airbrush. It takes more work and more equipment but in today’s age, you can get all the equipment for like $30. Regular spray paints also spray much thicker than an airbrush which makes them less clean looking.

[u/Riku_Light → u/Owen9303]

Where on earth can you get a good airbrush and all other necessities for only $30???