Help on paints

Hey all,

I am currentlyusing testors acrylics, and some craft (apple?) paints.

I have tried the gloss black, but I think it comes out too shiny.

What is the best method and prodcucts you guys (and gals) have found to paint with adn then get that "factory" seal and gloss at the end?

I try and avoid brushed on paint being at the joints for most of my custom figures

If the base of your figure is going to be black...with just some details added...I can't recomend Krylon Semi Flat enough...

Overkill was painted with Krylon...then details were added...only the Silver on his head got a coat of sealer to knock down a bit of tackyness that was there.


Or on Voltar here...Only the Chest was sprayed with Krylon Semi Flat Black...then craft acrylics were used to paint on the gold details...I think the finish is really pretty good...it's as close as I've been able to get to factory finish and still have some durability.

I mix in DecoArt Multi-Purpose Sealer if I want a "satiny" shine without being too glossy; 1:1 drop ratio with the paint usually does the trick (and it gives the paint a bit more adherence--usually). You'll find it in the same place as most craft paints, comes in 2 oz. and bigger bottles. On the other hand if I actually want a gloss look, I just laid the sealer on straight over the paint (dries glossy but with no tack).

The only other thing I can recommend is using a brush-on sealer like Model Master's (which provides a factory-like look IMO) or lightly applying spray sealer, say, a coat or two (tricky but if it works the results usually are pretty good).

Thanks guys, I will give those techniques a try.