Hi Rik.
I would strongly recommend getting an airbrush and small compressor, you can't compair that to using a spray can, the two are totaly different and mastering a can does nothing to help you master an airbrush. I have been painting models commercially for years in all scales from N to 7 1/4 inch using cans and airbrushes. G scale fits in the middle as you can get quite satisfactory results with cans if used VERY carefully, but an airbrush is best. I would steer well clear of the cans by firms that do model paints, they are not very controllable and you risk making an expensive mess.
I always use Halfords cans and find a good match without too much difficulty.
The trick is cleanliness, heat and take your time!!! The model must be well scrubbed preferably in warm water with a dishwasher tablet and not washing up liquid, make sure it is totaly dry, then warm it with a small heater carefully, you need the model AND the room to be warm. Then next get the can in a jug of quite warm water, hot enough to hold your hand in without screaming
. Shake the can really well for a couple of mins, then get it back in the water for another min or 2, then shake it up again and start painting, make sure that heater is off whilst you paint and there is no dust swirling about.
The main problem is people don't understand how to apply the paint. You don't really need to do several coats and rub down between them on models like these, you just need to apply the paint VERY thinly and evenly all over, going round and round. It helps loads if you get a little turntable to stand it on, the sort they use for cake icing! You want to dust the paint on from many angles to get under and round details, don't try to get a solid coat on in one go as you spray, just build up a thin opaque coat as you go round slowly, not dwelling in any area and it will colour up nicely without runs or sags!
This is the same whether you are painting primer or top coats, but with top coats you will get to a stage where the finish goes from opaque to looking like a solid coat of paint, this is a critical moment!!! Now you need to get a wet and even coat all over it to give an even and uniform finish, this can be achieved by a final LIGHT coat sprayed all over quickly. Then you can get the heater back on and leave it alone.
DO NOT be tempted to touch it or play until it is totally dry!!! It should be ok to handle after a couple of hours if using Halfords paint.
When doing masking use Tamiya masking tape, make sure the paint you are going over is totaly dray and HARD, I wait about 4 days! Mask it carefully and again take your time!!! press the edge down firmly with your nail to get a good seal for neat edge.
After painting you must take the masking off when the paint is only just starting to dry to stop it leaving a jagged edge!
Pull the tape off very slowly and back over itself.
Airbrushing is a very different thing altogether, it will depend on air pressure, paint manufacturer, type of thinners, mixing ratio, temperature, air brush type, room temp and spraying distance!! BUT don't be put off, all you need to do is get the paint to the consistency of milk, I test by dripping it down the side of the mixing pot and see how it runs down.
The big thing with either cans or airbrush is practice, practice, practice! you can do this on anything, even an old butter tub or kids plastic toys!
Hope this helps?
Cheers
Rob
