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Model Building Paint

About Model Paints

Model building paint is probably one of the best hobbies that anyone can take up. The most time-consuming and satisfying part of building scale models is painting them. The payoff after spending hours painting miniature figures is when you finally manage to make them appear realistic and beautiful. But one thing that is essential for a successful paint job is a good model paint kit.

Given how much time and effort it takes to paint and add details to miniature figures, it is vital to use paint that gives you a saturated finish and is also durable. The paint should be able to withstand the passing of time, humidity and any accidental scuffs or exposure to water. Moreover, depending on what type of paints you use and how extensive of a paint job you want, the cost of painting models can vary wildly. Read this article to find out more about model paints. Having a better understanding of model building paint will help you make the right choices while you shop.

Types of model paints for you & your children

It might not seem too difficult to choose the appropriate paint for miniatures and models. But it is absolutely possible to choose the wrong one with all the choices out there. If you know exactly what you should consider when selecting a specific paint, choosing paints is going to be a bit less painful. You will be able to choose the best miniature paint or model paint for your needs with a better understanding of paint and what things impact their performance. Here is everything you need to know about the four most common types of model building paints.

Acrylic paints

These days, acrylic-based paints are more common than any other type of paint. One of the key benefits of this model building paint is that it has an inherent water-resistant quality to it. Also, adding a layer of sealant can make it almost completely waterproof. Moreover, this model paints acrylic work on a large variety of surfaces, including glass, plastic, cloth, and paper. Furthermore, acrylic paints are constantly getting better. Newer acrylic paints have better viscosity and better colour saturation. Even then if you feel like you want to get rid of the paint and want to coat the subject in a completely new paint job, removing acrylic paint is not that difficult.

Enamel paint

Enamel paints are, basically, oil-based paints. One inherent quality of oil-based paints is that they are water-resistant. Also, this model building paints dry quickly in the air and form a thick layer of coating after drying. Enamel paints usually come as thick concentrates. In order to use the paint, you will have to mix the paint in some sort of volatile oil-based solvent. There are paint thinners for this purpose. Another benefit of this model paint is that they are durable. However, it is tricky to use enamel paints if you need to make any complex patterns.

Marker paints

If you are looking for an easy to use model paint without the fuss of mixing or using a brush. Then you should probably consider buying marker paints. These are not much different from the normal marker pens. But the level of precision that you get using a marker is limited by the size of the tip. You can get any finer than the tip of the marker. Some markers will let you refill the colour. This model building paint is easier for beginners. Since you don’t have to deal with liquid paint, the chances of you messing up are unlikely. The obvious downside is that it won’t give you any versatility. People tend to grow out of marker paints shortly.

Spray paint

Unlike airbrushes, spray paints come in self-contained cans. Because you don’t need a separate compressor unit for applying this paint, spray paints are easy to work with. These model paints are becoming popular because they are easy to apply. However, there are some downsides to using spray paints. One is that you have to cover all the portions of the model other that you are applying the paint on. Also, compared to other types of model building paints, spray paints are costlier and offer less coverage area considering the higher price.

Tips on how to buy Model Paints online

At first, finding the right type of paint for your model building paint kits might not seem like a difficult thing to do. After all, it is just like any other paint, right? Well, paints are, in fact, much more complex than they appear to be. To make it all the more complex, the finish and durability that you get from each type of paint are unique. That being said, it is not impossible to find a paint that is going to work for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for model paints online in UAE.

  • Types – First of all, you should decide what type of paint you want to use for your models. Most people like to use the same kind of paint, at least for a particular model. Combining different types of paints has its own challenges. More experienced model painters usually tend to go for more complex options.
  • Colours – The reason why you have to use colours on miniature models is that these models usually come in all-grey. So, if you want to make those models look more realistic, you have to paint them in realistic colours. Because each type of model calls for different colour schemes, the set of colours you want varies with the type of project you are undertaking.
  • Features – Paints vary in physical features. Professional grade paints have superior physical qualities. They do not feel too viscous on the brush but will give you more coverage in a stroke. Cheap paints, on the other hand, stick to the brush and make it harder to paint complex patterns or draw fine lines. The time that these paints take to dry is also different. Fast-drying paints are easier to work with because you don’t have to wait too long before you apply the second or third coat.
  • Price and durability – The price of paints vary quite a bit. There are cheap paints that only cost less than a hundred dirhams per set to expensive ones that will cost you around five hundred dirhams per set. Also, some paints are more prone to damage due to oxidation. Over time, cheaper paints tend to fade and lose their brilliance.

If you are somebody who collects or builds miniature models as a hobby, then you will need many other model building supplies apart from model paints. These include things like model buildings, model animals, model people, model cars and more. You can find all of these easily using our shopping search engine. It will let you compare the prices and features of different products and pick the best one among them. So, don’t forget to check out all the other amazing products from the toys category.

Question & Answer

What is lacquer model paint?

Due to their complexity and risk of use, lacquer paints are not that common. Of all the model paints, lacquer paints are the toughest and often dry the fastest. This makes it difficult to work with lacquer paints for two reasons. First, because the paint dries fast, you have to be careful not to make mistakes. You won’t have time to wipe off the paint. Moreover, It’s incredibly difficult to get the paint off after it is dry without destroying the surface of the material. Lacquer paints are also not safe, like acrylic or enamel. So, you have to use it in a well-ventilated place.

Can you use model paint on metal?

You cannot use any type of paint on metal surfaces. Because metal surfaces do not have tiny pores like plastic or wood, normal paints do not hold on strongly to metals. But acrylic, which is a very commonly used model paint, works well on metal. However, there are ways to use other types of metals. In order to do this, first, you have to coat the surface with a primer. The primer will act as a base for the paints. Make sure the primer coating is thick enough and covers the whole surface evenly. This layer of primer will also protect the metal against corrosion.

Where to buy model paint online in the UAE?

Luckily, there are plenty of places where you can find model paint in the UAE. One of the best places to shop for them is, of course, Shops.ae. It is incredibly easy to find the right paint for your needs using our retail search engine. We have more than 500 shops and brands offering them here on Shops.ae. Some of the popular brands are Tamiya, Testor, Humbrol, Revell, Airfix, Floquil, Gunze, and many more. Thus, you get to shop from the myriad collection of model buildings & structures for your children.