So I'm just getting into the hobby and I have a few questions regarding paints and primers.

Is it safe to hand brush using enamel paints while indoors? Or do I still need to be outside for that?

How do you guys bring out the fine details of a model? Is it with different colors of base/undercoats?

After priming, how long do I need to wait before I can start painting?

Are purpose-made "finishes" really required, or can I get decent results by using paints?

What's a good paint-to-thinner ratio?


I apologize if some of these questions seem rather, how should I say this, basic? But I'm really excited to start this hobby and any input would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes and happy holidays! - Potato

As far as i know i don't see any harm with using enamel paints indoors. You might notice a slight smell coming from enamel paints but it doesn't stick around for long. But the paint should state if there are any harm you should be cautious about.

To bring out fine details in painting i would:

firstly paint the base coat
secondly i would apply a wash
thirdly i would dry brush
And lastly if there are any little details, such as buttons or headlights, you could paint them using a fine brush.

as for the priming, I would wait either the recommended time that is stated on the product or, what i usually do, i leave it to dry for a few minutes and make sure there is no reflection on the surface which indicated the paint is still wet.

1.i am still alive...my 2° head some time is itchy but is ok!... ....if you can open a window and have some air flow dot worries to much!

2. you have many different technique,Wash,dry brush,color modulation etc....if you search on the forum,youtube or some good book i thik is easier to understand every tecnique have a different results and the majority of the time you can use many technique on the same model.

3.depend fron the primer you use,i wait 12h with spray Tamiya gray primer

4.are easyer but you can do the same with Enamel,pigments or Oils,etc...also with acrilycs but for me dry to fast in this case

5.you can apologize for the wrong answer not for a question!... ....the best is search in forums,book and you tube were you can find the majority of the answer you need....

Sorry for my bad English!!...

There are a lot of resources readily available that can point you on the right direction so take some time to read up and get up to speed. I'm pretty sure a day reading and watching videos should get you a very good idea on how to proceed.

What I'd like to point out is safety. If you will be using enamels you would probably be thinning it and usually it will be mineral or white spirits. Take note that this is still harmful which means it would be better if you can AT LEAST open up a window and have a fan blow the fumes out. An "odourless mineral spirit" doesn't mean that there are no harmful fumes, there's just no smell. Kinda opposite on how LPG/propane doesn't have a smell but people had to add an odor component to indicate leaks. So keep that in mind and stay safe.

I thought Australians spoke a form of English? I mean, you do your vowels completely wrong and have an obsession with knives and shrimp, but otherwise you are a lot like us.

Hahahahaha.... ....My Wife and 2 son's are Aussie i am imported from Switzerland with a box of Chocolate a watch some cheese with hole a secret Bank account and a Swiss-army knife...but here people tell me "Hey Mate That's not a Knife!!" !!...nobody here have a obsession to shrimp on the Barby...we put a Prawn on the Barby mate!...Prawn not Shrimp!!...but yes expecially in North Queensland were i live the people speak a "FORM of English".... ....

I guess i'll bear this in mind from now on.