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Painting and Airbrushing – Scale Modelling Techniques

April 30, 2025 By Adam Brown

In this area we will aim to provide you with the information and advice necessary to choose the best paint and painting equipment within your available budget. The vices and virtues of each type of paint will be addressed and a progressive approach will be employed to help the modeller understand the basic science of painting/airbrushing; by adopting this approach you will learn how to influence the materials to produce the best outcome, rather than the materials themselves dictating the quality of the eventual finish.


Top Gun Special! Building Maverick’s F-14A Tomcat 1:48

Read Dave Coward’s review of how to make a well weathered F-14A and in particular one from the movie ‘Top Gun’.

 

A Beginners Tutorial – How to Build a 1:35 AFV Kit: Tamiya 1:35 Steyr 1500

  • Part 1 Construction – 1 Full Length HD Video Demo Tamiya 1:35 Steyr 1500
  • Part 2 Painting, Decals – 1 Full Length HD Video Demo Tamiya 1:35 Steyr 1500

How to…

  • Create the RAF Anti Flash White on an Avro Vulcan B.2 – Video Demo
  • Paint A Typhoon Truck – Part 1 – Video Demo
  • Paint A Typhoon Truck – Part 2 – Video Demo
  • Paint and weather armour interiors – 3 Video Demos
  • Paint 1:35 Bravo 6 Australian SAS Vietnam War: Figure Painting Tutorial – Video Demo
  • Paint 1:35 German Field Police / Scale 75 – Video Demo
  • Paint German 1:35 Plane Tree / Oak Leaf Camouflage – Video Demo

Airbrushes

  • Evolution Airbrush – Harder & Steenbeck
  • Iwata Revolution M1 airbrush – Video Demo
  • Ultimate APEX Airbrush – Video Demo

Airbrushing with enamels

  • Getting the mix right and spraying
  • Getting rid of airbrush overspray between colours – 2 Video Demos
  • Stynlrez primers and how to use them – 6 Video Demos

Airbrushing with acrylics

  • Acrylic Ink Paints for airbrush – Mr Paint
  • Acrylic Metal Color by Vallejo – Intro – 3 Video Demos
  • AMMO Atom water-based acrylics – Part 1 Intro
  • AMMO ATOM Paints – Part 2, How to use them
  • Correct use of AMMO Primer
  • Getting rid of airbrush overspray between colours – 2 Video Demos
  • How to mix and spray water-based acrylics – 4 Video Demos
  • How to use Hataka Red Line acrylic paints – 13 Video Demos
  • How to paint with AMMO Acrylics – Problems and Solutions with Mig Jimenez – Video Demo
  • How to Paint a Car Transporter Trailer – AMMO ATOM Paints – Video Demo
  • How to paint mottled camouflage on aircraft with ATOM paints – Video Demo
  • How to Paint Winter Camouflage – Video Demo
  • Humbrol Acrylics and how to spray them – Video Demo
  • Painting a Messerschmitt Bf109 with AMMO ATOM paints – Video Demo
  • Primers: Russian Green & Tracks – Ammo of Mig Jimene
  • Storing your Lifecolor paints
  • Stynlrez primers and how to use them – 6 Video Demos
  • Using Ultimate Airbrush Thinner
  • Ultimate Primer – 4 Video Demos
  • Vallejo Model Color – How to airbrush tutorial – Video Demo
  • Yellow and Red, airbrushing and painting – 6 Video Demos
  • What paint what thinner? What to mix with what – a simple guide

Airbrushing – Metallic finishes

  • Acrylic Metal Color by Vallejo – Intro – 3 Video Demos
  • How to paint metallic bodies – Video Demo
  • Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 1
  • Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 2 – 4 Video Demos
  • How to spray A-Stand lacquers from AMMO – 3 Video Demos
  • How to spray Alclad2 clear varnishes onto Alclad2 Metallic Lacquers – 3 Video Demos
  • Burnt metal effects
  • Removing ghost seam line joins – Micromesh – 2 Video Demos
  • Stynlrez primers and how to use them – 6 Video Demos

Airbrushing – Sources of air

  • Choosing the right source of air for your airbrush

Airbrushing – Looking after your airbrush

  • Airbrush lubricant, how to use it – Video Demo
  • Choosing the right brushes and looking after them
  • Cleaning your airbrush with Mig Jimenez – Video Demo
  • Cleaning your airbrush and blow-back technique – 2 Video Demos
  • Removal of airbrush tip for cleaning – Video Demo
  • Twin Airbrush Holder from Sphere Products – Video Demo
  • Using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean your airbrush – Video Demo

Bodywork

  • How to paint Bodywork with Cobra Motor Paints – Video Demo
  • How to paint metallic bodies – Video Demo
  • How to paint a motorcycle – Video Demo
  • How to paint a Subaru Impreza rally car – Video Demo
  • How to polish painted car bodies – Video Demo

Bombs

  • How to paint USAAF WW2 bombs

Brush Painting

  • How to Brush Paint with AMMO ATOM paints – Video Demo
  • How to brush paint with Humbrol Water-Based Acrylics – 8 Video Demos

Canopies

  • Applying tinted shades – 3 Video Demos
  • Cleaning up frame lines after painting – Video Demo
  • FrogTape low-tack masking tape – 2 Video Demos
  • Masking canopies and clear parts 2 – 3 Video Demos
  • Masking canopies with Parafilm-M

Car Modelling

Explore all the other headings here for techniques to help you with your car, motorcycle and vehicle modelling.

  • Beginners’ Resource – (external website)

Codes and Insignia

  • Hinomaru – Spraying Japanese Hinomaru markings
  • How to paint D-Day identification stripes
  • Spraying German WWI crosses – Video Demo
  • Spraying your codes and insignia – Video Demo

Compressors

  • Iwata Studio Series Smart Jet Pro Compressor – Video Demo
  • Neo Air for Iwata miniature air compressor – Video Demo

Figure Painting

  • A Few Thoughts on my Way of Painting Busts by Jason Zhou
  • How to Paint 1:35 German Fallschirmjager Monte Cassino Tutorial – Video Demo
  • How to paint 28mm Napoleon and Napoleonic Horses – Video Demo
  • How to paint Bravo 6 ‘Wardaddy’ 1:35 – Video Demo
  • Making a wet pallet – Video Demo
  • Painting 1:35 scale faces – a beginners guide – Video Demo
  • Painting German Grenadiers – Video Demo
  • Painting Pilot and Ground Crew figures – a basic intro
  • Quick figures – Painting with Lifecolor water-based acrylics
  • Ultracast SS Tiger Tank Commander 1:32

German Vehicle Colours

  • German Vehicle Colours

Gloss finishes

  • Why a gloss finish? Materials you’ll need

Grey painted jets

  • How to create a worn, used look – 9 Video Demos

How to paint and weather cockpits

  • How to paint modern aircraft seats – Video Demo
  • How to paint and weather cockpits – 13 Video Demos
    Resin cockpit – basic intro
    Photo etch (PE) – basic considerations
    How to apply a wash
    How to dry brush and highlight detail
    How to use colour in your cockpit
    Tips for PE instrument panels
  • Painting the TANMODEL RF-84F Thunderflash Cockpit in 1:48 – 16 Video Demos

Masking

  • AMMO Masking Sheets – 1mm Grid
  • AMMO Masking tape with Mig Jimenez – Video Demo
  • Blu-Tac putty – using rolls of putty – 5 Video Demos
  • CT Scale Models Masks – how to use them – Video Demo
  • Camouflage Masking Putty, how to with Mig Jimenez – 2 Video Demos
  • Creating round masks for circular windows
  • Creating your own camouflage masks
  • Creating your own masks with Gilles Pepin
  • DSPIAE Masking Tape Cutting Mat B – how to use
  • Easy cutting mat Type B – 2 Video Demos
  • FrogTape low-tack masking tape – 2 Video Demos
  • Gyro Cut swivel head cutting tool – Video Demo
  • Kip Tape for masking models
  • Make your own Luftwaffe paint masks
  • Making paper masks
  • Making your own masks for spraying – from the decal sheet! – 2 Video Demos
  • 1Manarmy marking and stencil paint mask system 1:32 – Video Demo
  • Masking canopies
  • Masking canopies and clear parts 2 – 2 Video Demos
  • Masking canopies with Parafilm-M
  • Masking tape adhesion problems – solved! – Video Demo
  • Masking tape
  • Pre Cut Camouflage Masking Sets
  • Quick Wheel Masks for AFVs  – 3 Video Demos
  • Specialist paint masks for camo and markings
  • Strawberry laces to mask camo fine feathered edges
  • Tamiya Curved Masking Tape – How to use it – Video Demo
  • Using Tamiya tape to create curved camo patterns – Video Demo

Metallic finishes

  • AK Xtreme Metal finishes – how to get an Aluminium finish – Video Demo
  • How to paint metallic bodies – Video Demo
  • Airfix F-51D Mustang 1:72
  • Aluminium foil to create a NMF – The Peter Doll way
  • Applying metal pigment with a Rubber Brush – with Mig Jimenez – Video Demo
  • Chrome lenses using a Molotow ink pen (1mm) – Video Demo
  • Chrome hydraulic rams on undercarriage units – Molotow ink pen – Video Demo
  • Cowls on WWI aircraft – textured and hammered effects
  • Mr Metal Colour – Video Demo
  • How to apply metal foil with Tim Brooke – 3 Video Demos
  • Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 1
  • Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 2 – 4 Video Demos
  • Burnt metal effects
  • Removing ghost seam line joins – Micromesh – 2 Video Demos
  • Vallejo Acrylic Metal Color – Intro – 3 Video Demos
  • Vallejo Acrylic Metal Color – hand painting – 2 Video Demos

Micromesh

  • Micromesh to get rid of paint demarcation lines
  • Micromesh Polishing Cloths – 6 Video Demos
  • Using Micromesh to polish the paint surface

Mixing Paint

  • Cool tool: Tamiya Acrylic 10ml/23ml paint mixer

Paint Brushes

  • How to use AMMO Long Live The Brushes – Video Demo
  • Humbrol paint brushes
  • Kolibri paint brushes
  • Paint brush holder from Sphere Products

Painting – general

  • How to Use the AMMO Hot Dog Hot Air Gun – Video Demo
  • Correct use of AMMO Primer
  • How to paint with AMMO acrylics – problems and solutions
  • Hand-painting Tamiya Color acrylic paint
  • How to paint a resin seat with molded in belts
  • Labels for Tamiya paint pots
  • Model Colors App – An intro
  • Model Paint 42 App – An intro
  • What paint what thinner? What to mix with what – a simple guide

Painting camouflage finishes

  • Luftwaffe WWII camouflage mottling – Video Demo
  • Spraying acrylic camo patterns freehand – Video Demo

Paint Pens

  • AK Interactive Real Color Acrylic Marker pens for modelling

Painting Realistic Rib Effects

  • Painting Realistic Rib Effects on linen, canvas and fabric surfaces

Painting wheels

  • Getting a neat demarcation between hub and tyre – 7 Video Demos

Pastels for mottling

  • Using pastels to apply German armour camouflage pattern – Video Demo

Primers

  • AK Grey Primer and Microfiller – Video Demo
  • Correct use of AMMO Primer
  • How to Use AMMO One Shot Primer – Video Demo
  • Decanting paint from spray cans for airbrushing – Video Demo
  • Humbrol Acrylic Grey Primer – how to spray – Video Demo
  • It’s Prime Time… – using primers
  • Primers: Russian Green & Tracks – Ammo of Mig Jimene
  • Stynlrez primers and how to use them – 6 Video Demos
  • Ultimate Primer – 4 Video Demos

Safety

  • Basic safety equipment – introduction – Video Demo

Stripping Paint

  • Using Fairy Power Spray Cleaner to strip paint – Video Demo
  • Using Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner to strip paint – Video Demo

Surface preparation

  • Correct use of AMMO Primer
  • Micromesh to get rid of paint demarcation lines
  • Micromesh Polishing Cloths – 6 Video Demos
  • Using Micromesh to polish the paint surface

Vinyl Tracks

  • How to paint vinyl tracks – Video Demo

Wood effects

  • Simulating wooden propellers
  • Creating woodgrain effects using RB Photo etch templates – 11 Video Demos
  • Wood grain effects – and how to paint them – Video Demo

Yellow and Red – airbrushing and painting

  • Yellow and Red, airbrushing and painting – 6 Video Demos

Other

  • Hand hold for painting armour subjects
  • Paint pallet and cleaning
  • Pre and post-shading
  • Protecting your painted finish

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Model Painting Techniques

AIRBRUSHES
Evolution Airbrush – Harder & Steenbeck
Iwata Revolution M1 airbrush - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Ultimate APEX Airbrush - VIDEO DEMO
AIRBRUSHING WITH ACRYLICS
Acrylic Ink Paints for airbrush – Mr Paint
Acrylic Metal Color by Vallejo – Intro
Correct use of AMMO Primer
Getting rid of airbrush overspray between colours - Video
How to use Hataka Red Line acrylic paints - Video
How to mix and spray acrylics - 4 Videos
How to Paint a Car Transporter Trailer – AMMO ATOM Paints
How to paint with AMMO Acrylics – Problems and Solutions with Mig Jimenez - Video
How to Paint Winter Camouflage - AMMO ATOM
Humbrol Acrylics and how to spray them - Video
Painting a Messerschmitt Bf109 with AMMO ATOM paints - Video
Storing your Lifecolor paints
Stynlrez primers and how to use them - Video
Using Ultimate Airbrush Thinner - 2 Videos
Vallejo Model Color – How to airbrush tutorial - Video
What paint what thinner? What to mix with what – a simple guide
Yellow and Red, airbrushing and painting - 6 Videos!
AIRBRUSHING WITH ENAMELS
Getting rid of airbrush overspray between colours - VIDEO DEMO
Getting the mix right and spraying
Stynlrez primers and how to use them - VIDEO DEMOS
AIRBRUSHING METALLIC FINISHES
Acrylic Metal Color by Vallejo – Intro - VIDEO DEMOS
Alclad2 metal finishes - How to spray - Part 1
Alclad2 metal finishes - How to spray - Part 2
Burnt metal effects
How to paint metal bodies
How to spray Alclad2 clear varnishes onto Alclad2 Metallic Lacquers - VIDEO DEMOS
Stynlrez primers and how to use them
AIRBRUSHING - LOOKING AFTER YOUR AIRBRUSH
Airbrush lubricant, how to use it - VIDEO DEMO
Choosing the right brushes
Cleaning your airbrush and blow-back technique - VIDEO DEMOS
Removal of airbrush tip for cleaning - VIDEO DEMO
Using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean your airbrush - VIDEO DEMO
BODYWORK
How to paint Bodywork with Cobra Motor Paints
How to paint metal bodies
How to paint a motorcycle
How to paint a Subaru Impreza rally car
BRUSH PAINTING
How to Brush Paint with AMMO ATOM paints
How to brush paint with Humbrol Water-Based Acrylics
CANOPIES
Applying tinted shades - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
Cleaning up frame lines after painting
CT Scale Models Masks – how to use them
FrogTape low-tack masking tape - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
CAR MODELLING
Beginners Resource
How to Paint a Car Transporter Trailer – AMMO ATOM Paints
CODES AND INSIGNIA
Hinomaru – Spraying Japanese Hinomaru markings
How to paint D-Day identification stripes
Spraying German WWI crosses - VIDEO DEMOS
Spraying your codes and insignia - VIDEO DEMOS
COMPRESSORS
Iwata Studio Series Smart Jet Pro Compressor - VIDEO DEMO
Neo Air for Iwata miniature air compressor 2 VIDEO DEMOS
FIGURE PAINTING
How to Paint 1:35 German Fallschirmjager Monte Cassino Tutorial - VIDEO DEMO
How to paint 28mm Napoleon and Napoleonic Horses - VIDEO DEMO
How to paint Bravo 6 ‘Wardaddy' - VIDEO DEMO
Making a wet pallet - VIDEO DEMO
Painting 1:35 scale faces : a beginners guide - VIDEO DEMO
Quick figures – Painting with Lifecolor water-based acrylics
Ultracast SS Tiger Tank Commander 1:32
GERMAN VEHICLE COLOURS
German Vehicle Colours
GLOSS FINISHES
Why a gloss finish?
MASKING
AMMO Masking Sheets – 1mm Grid
AMMO Masking tape with Mig Jimenez - VIDEO DEMO
Blu-Tac putty : using rolls of putty - VIDEO DEMO
CT Scale Models Masks – how to use them
Creating your own camouflage masks
Creating your own masks with Gilles Pepin
Creating round masks for circular windows
DSPIAE Masking Tape Cutting Mat B – how to use
Gyro Cut swivel head cutting tool - VIDEO DEMO
Infini Easy cutting mat Type B - VIDEO DEMO
Make your own Luftwaffe paint masks
Making your own masks for spraying – from the decal sheet! - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Masking canopies
Masking canopies and clear parts – 2
Masking canopies with Parafilm-M
Making paper masks
Masking tape
Masking tape adhesion problems – solved! VIDEO DEMO
Pre Cut Camouflage Masking Sets
Quick Wheel Masks for AFVs - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
Specialist paint masks for camo and markings
Strawberry laces to mask camo fine feathered edges
Tamiya Curved Masking Tape – How to use it - VIDEO DEMO
Using Tamiya tape to create curved camo patterns - VIDEO DEMO
METALLIC FINISHES
AK Xtreme Metal finishes – how to get an Aluminium finish - VIDEO DEMO
Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 1
Alclad2 metal finishes – How to spray – Part 2 - VIDEO DEMO
Aluminium foil to create a NMF – The Peter Doll way
Applying metal pigment with a Rubber Brush – with Mig Jimenez - VIDEO DEMO
Burnt metal effects
Chrome lenses using a Molotow ink pen - VIDEO DEMO
Cowls on WWI aircraft – textured and hammered effects
How to apply metal foil - 3 HD VIDEO DEMOS
How to paint metal bodies
Mr Metal Colour - VIDEO DEMO
Vallejo Acrylic Metal Color – Intro - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
Vallejo Acrylic Metal Color – hand painting - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
PAINT BRUSHES
How to use AMMO Long Live The Brushes - VIDEO DEMO
Humbrol paint brushes
Kolibri paint brushes
PAINTING
Correct use of AMMO Primer
How To Paint A Rusty Turret - VIDEO DEMO
How To Paint A Typhoon Truck – Part 1 - VIDEO DEMO
How To Paint A Typhoon Truck – Part 2 - VIDEO DEMO
How to paint with AMMO acrylics
Hand-painting Tamiya Color acrylic paint
How to paint a resin seat with molded in belts
Labels for Tamiya paint pots
What paint what thinner? What to mix with what – a simple guide
PAINTING ARMOUR INTERIORS
How to paint and weather armour interiors tutorial
PAINTING CAMOUFLAGE FINISHES
Luftwaffe WWII camouflage mottling – VIDEO DEMO
Spraying acrylic camo patterns freehand - VIDEO DEMO
PAINTING WHEELS
Getting a neat demarcation between hub and tyre - 7 VIDEO DEMOS!
PASTELS FOR MOTTLING
Using pastels to apply German armour camouflage pattern - VIDEO DEMO
PRIMERS
Correct use of AMMO Primer
How to Use AMMO One Shot Primer - VIDEO DEMO
Decanting paint from spray cans for airbrushing - VIDEO DEMO
Humbrol Acrylic Grey Primer – how to spray - VIDEO DEMO
It’s Prime Time – using primers
Primers: Russian Green & Tracks – Ammo of Mig Jimenez
Stynlrez primers and how to use - 6 VIDEO DEMOS
Ultimate Primer - 4 VIDEO DEMOS
STRIPPING PAINT
Using Fairy Power Spray Cleaner to strip paint - VIDEO DEMO
Using Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner to strip paint
SURFACE PREPARATION
Correct use of AMMO Primer
Micromesh to get rid of paint demarcation lines - VIDEO DEMO
Micromesh Polishing Cloths - 6 VIDEO DEMOS
Using Micromesh to polish the paint surface
VINYL TRACKS
How to paint vinyl tracks
WOOD EFFECTS
Creating woodgrain effects using RB Photo etch templates - VIDEO DEMOS
Simulating wooden propellers
Wood grain effects – and how to paint them - VIDEO DEMO
YELLOW AND RED AIRBRUSHING / PAINTING
Yellow and Red, airbrushing and painting
OTHER
Choosing the right source of air
Hand hold for painting armour subjects
Hinomaru – Spraying Japanese Hinomaru markings
How to paint and weather cockpits - VIDEO DEMO
Paint pallet and cleaning
Pre and post shading
Protecting your painted finish
Storing your Lifecolor paints
Painting Techniques Weathering Techniques
DISCLAIMER While the hints, tips and advice in Scale Modelling Now magazine have worked for us, no guarantee is given that they will always work, that they are applicable to you or that there may be Health & Safety issues if you do follow the advice. It’s very much up to you to decide if you want to try them out. All relevant safety regulations regarding knives, adhesives, solvents, paints, etc. are implied.

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