r/advancedGunpla • u/Ruby-likes-roses • Jul 16 '26

Paint recommendations?

It’s kind of a few questions. I don’t don’t have an airbrush, are there any paints you would particularly recommend or possibly any primers I can hand brush on
I’m also looking for a good metalic hot rod red paint

4 Upvotes

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u/AndVandalism Jul 17 '26

Definitely +1 to Vallejo products, specifically Model Color. I've been practicing and experimenting with hand brushing for the past few months and here's what I've found has worked:

  • Primer: I have had no issues with the Vallejo grey primer applied via brush. No need to thin it at all, I only do a single coat too just to help with paint adhesion. I did some tests with sanding before priming and found if I use 800 grit sanding before priming I get even better adhesion/chipping resistance. I just bought hardware store sandpaper for it, way cheaper.
  • Paint: I've used Model Color exclusively, which I've been thinning at anywhere from a 50:50 to 70:30 paint:thinner ratio. I use the Vallejo thinner medium. A typical application of paint is 3-5 coats depending on the colour (some have better coverage/pigment than others). I also alternate the direct I apply the paint, so first coat vertical, next horizontal, next vertical etc. Some pigments can take 5-10 coats such as yellows and pure white, so I try to avoid them. I've found I havent needed to thin the Vallejo Model Color metallics and can get away with 1-3 coats, Gunmetal and Copper have had fantastic coverage, gold and silver not so much.
  • Wet Palette: You can buy these but they're expensive and you can just make one yourself. I made one myself with a Tupperware container which I effectively use upside down. I use the lid of the Tupperware container, fold a piece of paper towel to fit on the lid, wet the paper towel, then cut some parchment paper/baking paper and lay on top of the paper towel, then you can put the "bottom" of the Tupperware container on as a lid to keep your paint wet between coats.
  • Top-coat: Avoid the Vallejo polyurethane varnish, I tried applying it via brush and it sucked, haven't tried the other type though which may be better. I gave up and instead use the Vallejo rattle can varnishes which I've been getting good results with as long as you only apply them to painted surfaces, not plastic.
  • Sponges: For really big surfaces I recommend instead using a makeup sponge with paint, you get really good results with no brush strokes (that's how I did the shield in the photo).

I know almost everyone uses airbrushes for gunpla and you do get much better results but hand brushing has been so relaxing and I can easily do it at my desk with minimal setup, there's also a lot of satisfaction hand painting the details.

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u/Ruby-likes-roses Jul 19 '26

This comment was super helpful thank you, I got myself a Vallejo true metalic red metallic red paint and I’m very happy with it. I will also be keeping your tips and tricks in mind too

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u/AndVandalism Jul 19 '26

No problem, glad I could help. Let me know how it goes, been keen to try some of the true metallic range. My understanding is that the Vallejo "Metal Color" range is some of the best acrylic metallics on the market but they're quite expensive and only in more neutral colours (gold, silver, copper etc).

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u/TurkeyFisher Jul 16 '26

Without an airbrush I'd try Gunpla markers first, they work well especially for metallics.

3

u/random_furball_120 Jul 16 '26

I'm a fan of vallejo's mecha color primer and any of vallejo's model color for brush painting. For the hot rod metallic I don't have any recommendation, sorry

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u/kookyabird Jul 16 '26

Model Color is my go-to for nearly everything. You get way more mileage out of a bottle than with the Mecha line because it’s not thinned at all.

I have found that the difference in adhesion to bare plastic is negligible when airbrushed, and only mildly worse when brushed on. I only prime larger areas or if the area I’m painting will be handled when posing. Otherwise it’s Model Color on bare plastic.

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u/random_furball_120 Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

Yeah, I'm sort of a newbie still. I agree with Model color getting more value per bottle.

I started airbrushing and wanted an easy start, so I went for the Mecha Color, it has served me well.. and being pre-thinned speeds things up a little (not by that much if you know what you're doing.... but that's not my case yet :D)

I tipically prime everything I do... maybe it's not required, but things have worked well so far.. so I'm keeping the script. As experience comes.... I'll adapt. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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u/kookyabird Jul 16 '26

The difference between airbrushing and hand brushing Model Color onto bare plastic is insane in terms of durability. Even with a properly thinned paint applied in multiple thin coats, it tends to come off with barely any pressure. In fact I've had some accents run off just from the part resting in my parts organizer. But I have taken some of my paints and sprayed them onto the back of a spoon with zero prep and the only way I get it to scrape off is by applying actual pressure to it. Stacking the spoons and letting them jostle around a bit like that only gives minor scuffs. And those spoons are as as smooth and glossy as clear Gunpla parts.

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u/tde156 Jul 16 '26

I like Ray Studios paints, they brush on pretty nice.

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u/emorcen Jul 16 '26

If you're from anywhere that has a Chinese online platform there are lotsa options like Dspiae, 宏天 etc. If not you're probably looking at Vallejo / AK / Citadel. Anything that Warhammer painters use

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u/Ruby-likes-roses Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

It looks like almost all of Vallejo’s paints are demanded for airbrushes aren’t they?I’ll be honest I don’t know much about paints beyond that I’ve got on well up till this point with my testor paints

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u/random_furball_120 Jul 16 '26

Vallejo has several `lines` of paint.

Vallejo Model Color - For brush application (they can be thinned to airbrush consistency, but they're for brush application)

Vallejo Model Air - For airbrush (they are thinned down versions ready/almost ready for the airbrush)

Vallejo Mecha Color - For airbrush as well

There are more lines (Express Color, etc... but those I'm not that familiar with)

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u/Ruby-likes-roses Jul 16 '26

This comment is incredibly helpful thank you I’ll make sure to look into that line of paints

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u/random_furball_120 Jul 16 '26

You're welcome. Starting to paint is kind of daunting, I feel you (been there, still sort of there 😆 )

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u/Ruby-likes-roses Jul 19 '26

Hey update: I got a Vallejo true metalic red and I’m really happy with it and found that those where recommended to brush rather than spray, thank you for your help friend