I would like to enlist the aid of the modelling community due to the extent of my frustration. I have always been "afraid" of painting and my fears are still torturing me.

I have been in recon mode for the last several weeks, trying to gather as much information as possible prior to attempting to paint. I'm starting out on a small Dragon figure kit as the cost is much less than an armor kit. My problem is that, despite all my efforts, I cannot get the paint to lay down.

I'm using acrylics, some Tamiya (flesh color) but mostly craft paint which seems to be quite thick. I've tried thinning with rubbing alcohol, water, I've added a few drops of dish soap, etc. Nothing seems to work. Should I have primed them first, and if so, with what? Should I allow the paint to be a bit thicker, if so, to what extent?

I'm at my whits end since I already dislike painting and I don't have the funds necessary to purchase a bunch of oils. Anyway, I'm rambling at this point, can anyway offer any insight?

baronjj

When I build Dragon figures I build the whole figure, except for the head, and glue it to some type of temporary base. (AOL CDs, cut up credit cards etc). I do the heads all at the same time separately. Anyway, I prime mine with Krylon flat gray automotive primer and then paint them with the craft paints you are talking about. Tamiya paints a notorously hard to paint on with a brush. I never had any luck with them.

HTH,

Shaun

I'm in the Habit of Priming EVERYTHING with a Flat white or Grey pait out of a spraycan (several thin coats is better than one thick coat)

Have you washed the Mold release off them??????

I find that the Tamiya Flat White (XF-1) and the Flat Flesh (XF-15) rarely go down well with a brush. They always seem to lift off while brushing them and don't go one evenly.
I haven't tried this, but what about diluting them down about 50/50 and then trying the brush.

Hi, and Welcome to the Group!
I have had some luck using Gunze Sangyo's "Mr. Retarder Mild", and "Winsor & Newton's Acrylic Flow Improver". Both of these products reduce the thickness, and slow the drying times of acrylic paints. This improves flow and tack making the paint stick better. Plus a little goes a long way! It's helped me! Try it.
Good Luck!

I would suggest getting some Model Master enamels to do your figures... These are tremendous for brush painting and make all the difference in the world.

I used to paint acrylics with a brush, but had the same problem you are experiencing now - since I switched to enamels... no problems at all.

Sorry this isn't the answer you were looking for, but I couldn't figure out the acrylics either :-)

Nelson