I'm building a F4U-1D Corsair and I'm having a hard time in painting some of its pieces in white (enamel humbrol) since the pant can't stick well. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks

I never have used Humbrol paint, so I can't comment on their reliability. I would try washing the model first. You may have some residue from the mold release agent or oil from your hands that is preventing the paint from adhering.

tygereye

Are you painting with airbrush or with just a normal brush
I`ve never sprayed white with an airbrush so I can`t give you information bout that
but I have painted several figures with winterclothing with a normal brush. And what you say that the paint doesn`t like to stick at the surface. I think you have the problem that the background comes through your white colour. I have the same problem with different brands of white modelling paint
You can prime the figure in the lightest grey available and then paint over it
You can also go to your local bycicle shop and buy a can of white mudguardpaint (in holland the last 30 cm of the backmudguard are white) This is a very good all covering white paint, You get a very big can where you have enough paint to 50 planes with, It doesn`t cost very much and I believe it`s even available in gloss and matt
if you have the gloss version you could paint it over with matt lacker

this where my 2 cents hope I helped you out or gave you at least some information

It sounds as if the paint isn't getting to 'bite' into the plastic. I'd first wash the model as HeavyArty suggested, that will get rid of any residue or release agent that may be on the kit.
Next I'd use an airbrush. I think I have experience the same situation you are experiencing and the way I got around it was to airbrush the white on in a very paint rich mixture. Only thin the paint slightly, maybe 80/20 or 75/25 (paint thinner). Then spray light coats, you will need two or three maybe more depending on how heavy they are. That should do it.
Another though is to prime the kit first with a flat light colored base coat. That will give the white something to 'bite' into.

Hope this helps

I've always had problems with white paint...

what seems to work for me is putting down a coat of lighter color (i.e. primer or camouflage grey) and putting the white over that. ill bet the corsair is modeled in dark blue, huh?

yes humbrols white is one of their more shocking paints it took me about 4-5 coats on my dauntless before it started to look good.
maybe washing it would help.

Andrew

Like the others said,
wash it,
prime it, ( light grey )
put the white on it.
That should do it. I never had a problem with Humbrol paint, my guess is the mold release on the plastic is the problem.
Good luck

I use white primer under white. White automotive primer will cover with one or two light coats, and not obscure much detail. Trying to get Humbrol, Model Master, or any other white enamel or acrylic for that matter, will build up a lot of thickness before it covers the color beneath it. Even light gray can take a few decent coats to cover. You can find it in spraycans, or you can become friends with a person in a body shop, and buy a few ounces at a time from them.

Hi all,
I'd add a couple of drops of blue to that Humbrol white cuz in a couple of years you might find your white has turned yellow....speaking from experience.
cheers,
Dave