Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Beginners start here...! => Topic started by: KeithH on August 17, 2017, 02:19:13 pm

Title: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: KeithH on August 17, 2017, 02:19:13 pm
What are the general preferences amongst all of you experts ?

For a wooden hull do you prefer to spray the paint or brush the paint and if you brush, what paint is recommended ?

Title: Re: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: SailorGreg on August 17, 2017, 04:09:14 pm
Well, I ain't no expert, but....

I prefer to spray.  Fill all those pesky little holes and cracks, give the hull a good rub down with something like 240 grade paper, then a high build primer.  This will probably reveal more pesky little holes and cracks, so fill those.  Then several top coats should give a good finish.  And no brush to clean afterwards!  :}

Of course, spraying does need more care in where and when you do it.  You can brush paint inside the house if you are very nice to SWMBO, but even the most ardent modeller would draw the line at spraying in the house (I think  %% !)  And you can certainly get as good a finish with a brush if you are careful, it just might take a little longer.

So ultimately it's up to you.  Where do you do your modelling?  That will probably determine how you do your painting.

Happy painting!

Greg
Title: Re: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: Peter Fitness on August 18, 2017, 01:02:29 am
I much prefer to spray. I find that I am able to achieve a better finish spraying, as opposed to brushing. As in any form of painting, surface preparation is the key to a good finish. Greg's post is a good summary of the procedure.


Peter.
Title: Re: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: Seaspray on August 18, 2017, 08:23:47 am
I prefer spraying and use Halford's rattle cans. I now have an airbrush and will have a go with it Its surface prep that is the important thing for a good finish. Just got to decide which paint to use and stick with that make, other than Tamiya
Title: Re: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: KeithH on August 18, 2017, 02:26:45 pm
Thanks guys, I use the car spray tins, in my garage workshop, making sure I ventilate well before someone else comes home  ;)


I'll get the knack of it one day
Title: Re: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: mrlownotes on August 18, 2017, 02:51:57 pm
If spraying, wherever you do it, be aware of the overspray settling.

I sprayed a 5ft hull and superstructure in the sunhouse with Halfords cans. I wish I'd emptied the sunhouse before I started. All horizontal surfaces had to be vacuumed to clean up the overspray particles.

Also I recommend wearing a mask. I use one of the twin filter type with silicon seals around the nose and mouth. When I saw the amount of paint particles I was vacuuming up I was very happy to know that I'd not been breathing them in.





Title: Re: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: oldiron on August 19, 2017, 03:08:15 am
If you haven't already seen it, you may want to review this write up:  http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,27859.0.html

John
Title: Re: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: ballastanksian on August 19, 2017, 03:06:02 pm
I spray large areas such as the hull, unless a camouflage scheme is to be applied, then I would spray the bottom and brush paint the above water areas.

For small work/fittings etc, I brush paint. I basecoat in Humbrol enamels and then finish with Vellejo acrylics. I like the feel that I am physically adding to the part by brush painting whereas an airbrush or aerosol is a bit impersonal, but certainly more practical for those large areas.

I was taught that the first coats of primer are usually sanded off as the remnants fill the small gaps and blemishes, and as a telltale for the deeper indents that need filler and subsequent priming.
Title: Re: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: KeithH on August 19, 2017, 05:16:28 pm
Once again, brilliant information and guidance.  Thank you lads
Title: Re: Spray or Brush ?
Post by: Onetenor on August 24, 2017, 09:35:50 pm
I use both