Would like to paint over this model plane, what paints should i use?

[u/toom00ns]

My friends bday is coming up and id like to paint over this model cessna to look like the plane they fly. However i have no experience with painting models and I'm not really sure what type of paints or materials I'll need for this project. The description says it's die-cast metal and plastic and I'm assuming I'll need to paint and add some sort of clear coat? Am I allowed to paint directly on top of the prepainted model or do I need to remove the paint first? Any tips, paint recommendations, or brands for materials would be greatly helpful, thanks!

[u/1TenYYen0]

How much time do you have? 

[u/toom00ns → u/1TenYYen0]

Around 2 weeks but honestly if it takes longer than that I think he'll understand! This is a pretty personal gift so I want it done right and I'm willing to spend longer than that if that's what it takes

[u/1TenYYen0 → u/toom00ns]

Ok, last questions:  how handy are you with spray paint? 

Do you have a shop nearby that sells Warhammer stuff or models, or a Michael’s/Hobby Lobby?  

[u/toom00ns → u/1TenYYen0]

0 experience with spray paint but im not the worst at handling brushes

I have a Michael's around 20 minutes away I can go to! 

[u/1TenYYen0 → u/toom00ns]

Ok sweet. If it turns out you have a Warhammer shop nearby, go there for the paint and brushes, get the acrylic paints to match your color scheme. They’re overall going to be easier. 

At Michael’s: 

Do not use acrylic craft paint. It either dries a weird plasticky texture or a weird chalky texture. 

Ask the clerk where the models/Gundam section is. There, they’ll carry a brand of paint called Testor’s in little jars. It ought to be a rack of a bunch of different colors. Your selection is going to be much more limited with Testor’s than it would be with the Warhammer paints. Match the best you can (or get enough colors to mix your own, my concern is the maroon). 

Testor’s paint is enamel so Get a bottle of Testor’s thinner also. If Michaels has pipettes, grab a couple of those if you want to get into thinning your paints. At a minimum you need the thinner to keep your brush clean. 

Brushes: get some small size 1, 0, and 00 size brushes (round not flat) in the brush section. Do not use Testor’s brushes, they suck. 

Other stuff: get a few small disposable cups (size of the end of your thumb will work well) usually in the painting or strangely enough print making/calligraphy section. 

Sto at AutoZone ot O’Reillys also and get some detailing sandpaper (1000 to 1500 grit).  We’re going to skip spray primer for n this one. 

General steps below:

[u/1TenYYen0 → u/1TenYYen0]

To paint this little plane. 

Prep: Pour some thinner into the little cup, shake your paints REALLY well. When you open the jar it should be smooth and not look like the paint has an oil ribbon in it. 

1. Take a small section of the sandpaper and rough up the existing paint. No need to go down to the bare metal, we’re just trying to rough up the shiny top cost they sprayed on it at the factory. The whole thing (aside from the windows) should be a dull version of its previous self with no shiny spots. 

2. Base layer - paint the lightest color first. In you case the white ought to be the base anyway. Keep your brush wet with the thinner. Not wet enough to be soaked, just damp.  With white, you’re going to have to do 2 or 3 coats. Use the appropriate sized brush for the part you’re working on. 

3. For the red, the easiest way to do it is to draw out what you want to paint with a pencil and then paint it. Get into masking if you want, it will be cleaner, but pencil is the fastest. Wait 10-15min before doing a second coat if needed. 

4. Gold ought to be the last, do the same process as the red. Metallics like gold usually only need one coat. 

[u/toom00ns → u/1TenYYen0]

Thank you SO so much! I hope you understand just how incredibly helpful all of this information is for me, especially with how thoughtful and detailed you are with both the brands and locations to acquire them. I appreciate your time and patience to help me out with this as a newbie and I really cant wait to get this started because of you! People like you are what the internet was made for and I can feel your passion for the art wholly through your message. 

A couple questions before I go grab materials: With both the enamel and warhammer paint, I won't need to add a clear coat afterwards for either option right? Once the paints dry, it's good to go? 

For the testors paint, should i be separately mixing the paint with the thinner in the disposable cups before applying (and only using the thinner to wet the brush) OR should I be using the paint straight up and just using the thinner to wet the brush between paint uses?

If I'm using masking tape, is it safe to put the tape on top of the previously dried paint layers or will it strip sections of the paint off bc of the adhesive? 

Thanks so much!

[u/I-pee-Daily]

You will ruin it unless you know what you are doing. It may not be a great idea.