UNSW Making

Painting and Finishing

Tutorials, guides, paint advice and more! All the things you need to prepare and paint your models ready for presentation
Spray gun.JPG

For this learn module, you will need:

  • An object that requires finishing
  • Suitable finish to apply (Scroll down to find out what that is!)

Getting Started

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Painting and Finishing Learn Page-01.png


Before You Paint

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Surface Preparation

Before you jump into priming your model, make sure you have sanded out all imperfections!

If you need a quick refresher on working with sand paper, watch the video below

Painting and Finishing Learn Page-05.png

1. Spray Putty

Thick primer that can be used to fill deeper imperfections, easy to apply but can take a while to dry.

Find it at automotive shops such as Repco or Super Cheap Auto

2. Putty

Scrape to apply, good for smoothing out finer imperfections such as scratches not to build up surfaces. Doesn't require too much sanding.

Find it at automotive shops such as Repco or Super Cheap Auto

3. PolyFilla

Easy to apply filler that will smooth the surface of your model. Recommended for sealing foam models before painting.

Find it at hardware shops such as Bunnings or Mitre 10

4. Automotive Body Filler

2-part filler that is mixed and applied to fill crevices. Stronger and more durable than other fillers and can create sharper details when sanded.

Find it at automotive shops such as Repco or Super Cheap Auto

5. Primer Filler

Thick primer that can help smooth out lumps and bumps. Tend to have a much greater drying time than other primers.

Find it at automotive shops such as Repco or Super Cheap Auto

6. Primer

Used as an undercoat to get the surface ready for painting.

Find it at hardware or automotive shops such as Repco or Bunnings

7. Etch Primer

Used to help bond the material to the primer and is often needed for metals and plastics. Very light coats are applied and can't be used to fill imperfections.

Find it at hardware shops like Bunnings or Mitre 10

8.Primer + Paint

2 in 1 solution that primes the surface and paints it all in one go!

Find it at hardware shops like Bunnings or Mitre 10

Painting

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

All you need to know about the types of spray paints you can find

Painting and Finishing Learn Page-03.png

What about different surface finishes?

surface finish.PNG

Matte

A matte surface finish has little to no sheen and gives a smooth, unreflective surface. Better at hiding small imperfactions such as fingerprints.

Satin

Reflecting slightly more light than matte surfaces, satin finishes are smooth and silky with a pearl-like sheen when dry.

Gloss

Highly reflective, shiny surface finish.

Tips and Tricks for Finishing Models

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Stuck working from home and need to spray paint?

Related Badges

Categories: Model Making Skills
Tags: painting