What do use to paint your cars?
Just throw out some ideas as to what you do with styles, types, etc.
Also point out the types of paint.
Discussion
Generic rattle cans...mostly "painters touch"... I also freehand with Acrylic Paint Markers as they don't react with clear coat. Oil based paint markers don't like the water based clear...
Ive experimented with chalk markers as well. Those will glow under black light, but decals don't typically like to lay down on the chalk. If I need decals over the chalk I will clear coat once I'm happy with the design, then lay down decals.
half the fun is experimenting... so just have at it!
BRG rattle can base
Yellow acrylic paint marker
waterslide decals
more examples of paint pens over rattle cans
chalk markers mixed/blended then gold acrylic applied to highlight
- Those are some sweet looking cars! — StrayDog
- OutStanding! — Bent_Rod_Racing
- paint pens, what a great idea! — G_ForceRacing
- I am loving these — Phil_NWA1
As a long time miniatures wargamer, I just went with Citadel Paints, some TurboDork, some AK. Mostly learning now to translate that style to a drastically different scale.
rust oleum spray cans outdoors and I wear a mask
I use spray cans, mainly the ones you find at Hobby Lobby, but if you got the hand for it, you can also try hand painting with paint brushes to do some little decals.
Just a couple examples.
I just use Rustoleum for my cars
works okay and gets the job done.
This is how I look trying to paint cars nicely....
I use rustoleum so far but I want to try others. From what I could find it's the only "cost-effective" option, paint can get expensive fast
The problem with it is it's really easy to spray on too thick, ruining the diecast details and giving you a clumpy texture. So each time before painting, I soak the can in warm water, and I try to do multiple very thin coats of paint (only a few sprays per coat)
- Yes, I use that too — ManiacMotorsports
- Next time you have that special car you might try a can or two of Tamiya spray paint. It is not cheap but it covers well and goes on thin. And their colors are vivid. — AbbyNormal
As someone who likes to create things I built about 35 cigar box guitars using the old Rustolium(?) rattle cans both colors and clear. They worked okay. So as I started to collect some Hot Wheels and wanted to customize them I dropped by our local hobby shop and decided to try their model paint by Tamiya - its not cheap and comes in the smaller size cans. But I have to say it is excellent quality paint. The layers go on easy and very thin which preserves any details in the casting. Most importantly is it dries super quick. I can quickly layer on colors and clear coat. Still using the Rustolium flat white primer but the Tamiya layers on nicelyop nicely.
Tamiya acrylic paint, cans and airbrush paint
I use a mix of rattle cans, airbrush and posca paint pens. Depends on the finish I'm going for. Sometimes I'll also brush on some of my airbrush paints, particularly if I'm doing rust effects.
testors model paint, krylon and restoleum rattle cans
testors rattle cans (hobby lobby) have some very cool colors
I like their color change paint, and krylons "over chrome" anodized coat
dr
Browse through the Paint & Decails collection to get lots of ideas. But I always just used normal gloss spray paint and it worked pretty well. No complaints but I wasn't trying to put together super-detailed cars.
I did get a air brush set with intent to do cars but never got into it very far...ended up just going back to easy spray paint to get the job done. I was too impatient :)