The building and painting of model cars has been a favorite hobby for generations, with new droves of enthusiasts cropping up all the time. If you’re new to the hobby and getting ready to paint your first set of wheels, the team at Rail & Sprue Hobbies in Jacksonville, AR, is here to help. 

Top 3 Tips for Painting Model Cars

1. Consider Paint Type

Hobby paints fall into two main categories: oil-based enamels and water-based acrylics. Enamel paints dry slowly. However, they are easy to thin out with mineral spirits and lend a beautiful, glossy finish when cured. Acrylic varieties dry faster than enamels, are less messy, and can be thinned with alcohol or water. Experiment on an unwanted item before making your final choice.

2. Choose an Applicator

Select from three paint application methods: paintbrush, airbrush, and spray cans. Painting the cars with a small brush is best for smaller parts, as tackling the whole model with a brush can result in streak marks. Airbrush tools are excellent for creating fine lines and offer superb paint and pressure control. Spray cans get the job done quickly and without streaks. But, they spray so much at a time you’ll likely end up wasting a lot of product. They work well on single-color model cars, so keep that in mind when determining the best application method.

3. Paint In Layers

Start with a primer to give the paint something to cling to. Add color coats once this dries, or coats of color applied in several layers. Most start with fine mists and end with wet applications. Use a clear finish to complete the painting process if you intend to use water slide decals. Glossy clear coats over a matte color brighten the final results in addition to adding depth. Introduce polish if you desire, such as the kind used on real cars. To do so, sand the model with 1500-grit sandpaper followed by 6000-grit, then blow dry before applying polish with a clean cloth.

Ask the team at Rail & Sprue Hobbies about your selected model paints and cars to ensure a perfect application. Call (501) 982-6836 to speak with a knowledgeable team member today. The family-owned hobby shop has catered to the Jacksonville area for nearly 20 years.