How To: Prepare the body of your scale model before paint

[@Shane-Singleton]

Something i'd like to add that I have found to be probably the most valuable tip when trying paint combos to see if they play nice. test it out on a plastic spoon. I picked up a box I think of 50 of them and it was only ~$3. Or if you eat a lot of fast food usually you can just toss 1 or 2 in the bag with your order. That way you're not messing up a $20 or more model kit that you probably already have time invested in with other parts.

[@JoeKrol]

You can get them in the us at the dollar store for, well a dollar.

[@miatageekscott]

Another thing you might try is powdered carbon on top of primer for sanding mold lines, I work in a body shop and we use a dry guide coat, it goes on top of the primer when it's dry and when you sand you can see where all the imperfections are and where you have sanded....

[@miatageekscott]

I use Duplicolor scratch filling primer/sealer, works great and is compatible with almost all color coats, from Duplicolor, to Krylon Fusion...Then I use Tamiya clear for the clear LOL

[@Chinese_checkers]

I appreciate your choice of music

[@ChrisFredriksson]

Beautiful video with lots of useful tips! =D

[@pturley84]

Great Tips! Never thought about using a permanent marker to highlight all the mold lines.

[@brainjuice4381]

Thanks!! Your works are my modeling bible.

[@MuscleCarModeler]

Great tips, we can all learn from each other and I have learned lots from your vids. Thanks for sharing. Be Blessed Sis! Danny

[@sbvwfanatic]

Nice. I'm going to be starting this very kit soon.

[@Toppervision1]

Great ideas here. Never thought to use the scrubbing pad.

[@miguelmigkustomz9010]

Awesome work man! Thanks for all the amazing tips!

[@LordRusty5]

Colors and primers from "Gravity Colors USA" - made for model cars - are terrific!

[@MrModelworx]

great video and very informative, I'm having major problems at the moment with paint flaking off at the sharp edges of the model car body, the paint chips off down to the bare plastic takes the primer and everything with it. will using the scotch pad all over cure this ? does it give the primer something to bite into. I'm using duplicolour primer and top coat they are acrylic based sprays. thanks

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

+gaztheK Scotch or sanding paper will scuff up the surface and therefore indeed giving the primer something to grab on to. if the surface is unprepared its to slippery and the paint could fall straight off like what you explained.

[@verve78arief]

Hi nice tutor... n why plastic primer get melt or wringkle my plastic model kit? Whats wrong.. thanks

[@bobyoung1698]

Thanks for Strauss!

[@GUNPLABUILD-K75G]

Amazing!👍👍👍🤩

[@jasonmorrell2770]

Is there a conversion chart for fine grade P???? Sandpaper to the American grades?

[@Chappy31x]

Do you have a video of your paint booth set-up?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

A Spray booth i recommend: amzn.to/2yp5T25 The booth i made myself: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6uzdayDdp6EapI

[@TasosX]

Hello friend. Amazing work. You know what kind of plastic is the body shell?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Styreen

[@DjOrs96]

Hey! Love your work man inspired me to start again. Do you like Alclad primer and clear? I live in australia and dont have too many options. And also can I decant tamiya spray primer to use in my airbrush? Thanks :)

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

You can do that, yes. However i would just use the can for primer if you already have it

[@dietko]

Hi can u please directly send me the link the scotch brite pads please since I can't find the link in the description. Great job btw!

[@ed-varner8472]

Is this a revell? I’m doing the same one now but want better wheels for it n can’t find any to fit any tips for me?

[@SickMoover]

I love this Caaar! Its weird, but this is my dreamcar. not a lamborghini or something high end car.

[@steveschilbe8165]

Which Scotch Brite pads do you use? There seems to be a huge variety of them available. Thanks!

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

After this video i stopped using them. They are very inconsistent. I now just use 600 grot sandpaper

[@steveschilbe8165]

@@TheScalemodelingChannel thank you for this info as well as the plethora of info you provide us all through your videos!

[@flightofsight4343]

Nice! can the same method be applied to model airliners like the 1/200 Hasegawa Boeing 777?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Yes

[@jslute]

You showed a bottle Tamiya surface primer at 7:23.Any idea how i would thin it for airbrush? I do agree with you it is a fantasic primer but where i live it $15 a can.

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

You can buy small bottles of it aswell from tamiya. Or decant it

[@bluegrasscrazy7307]

How do you clean your models before priming..Thx...

[@Serika17]

Hi! What is that thing you use to mount the kits while painting? I've seen it on several of your videos but have yet to come across a description on it. I'm a big fan of your builds btw! Cheers!

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Tamiya spray stand

[@Serika17]

The Scalemodeling Channel thanks for the reply!

[@keithsmodelsandrcs6593]

iv found i leave alot scratches from sanding body b4 paint with 600grit tamiya sponge any advice on how to avoid it or should I use 800 to 1000 instead?, thanks in advance ,👍

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

If 600 leaves to much scratches for you, try 800

[@jorgeguerrerotoledo]

After sanding, scribing and roughing up the surface of the body, how do you clean up any residue (plastic dust and other particles) before priming?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Whash it, or dust it off with high pressure air

[@jorgeguerrerotoledo]

@@TheScalemodelingChannel thanks

[@jamesprice647]

Thank You, I Gut got through scuffing a airplane model and I like your indentation scraping deal. Anyhow, what you you use to do your final clean before laying down Paint.? Respectfully, Jim P. Jenuine-Motor

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

James Price a tack cloth. Or just high pressure air

[@dougwarren2992]

Hi, In the process of painting my 1/18 scale model. I have removed all existing paint so I am back to bare metal. I had some side moldings on the doors and front and rear sides, which I have removed using an electric sander. My question to you is can I go ahead and spray primer or should I go over the car with a 600 grade sandpaper as you have in this video? I ask this as your model appears to still have paint on it.

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

My models is plastic. Before you apply primer, always sand. This is the way the primer can “grab” on to the body/parts

[@dougwarren2992]

Thanks for the advice. What grade sandpaper do you suggest for my metal body?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

400 or 600

[@StevenReyBargamento]

Quick question. Do I need to primer every piece of a car model kit or just the body?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

In general it is best practise to prime all of the parts you are going to paint

[@Stickybutton]

Would like to order stuff from your web shop but you still don't ship to Singapore. :(

[@davidjakubiak336]

I’m new to this. Do you need to sand the entire body, or just certain areas? What about smaller parts?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Yes. The entire body. Only parts that you want to mask and paint in multiple colors

[@kylemay6043]

Do you have any recommendations for knowing when in the building process to paint different parts? Obviously every model is different, but it seems easy to paint too early, or too late.

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

+Kyle May i personaly assemble everything i can before painting. And then just paint all the parts and finish the assembly

[@Ymaximm]

Hi, on what pressure you applying primer, painting?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

1,4

[@Ymaximm]

The Scalemodeling Channel tnx

[@PennyBenjaminTG]

Do you still use scotch brite pads?

[@salmondafish3963]

What should the texture of the plastic be after sanding? Should it be a little rough or smooth?

[@JoeKrol]

What kind of treatment do you give to the inside of the car for the door panel detail? Do you scotchbrite that too or just prime it?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

If i am only painting it in 1 color with the airbrush(no masking tape etc) just primer. If i plan to do more then one color(with masking tape etc) i scuff it up with some sandpaper or scotchbrite.

[@stemoleum]

I did a very bad paint job on my 911 (i'm on my 4th model build now). Is it possible to remove all the paint using thinner? I already gave it a try but it takes so long to remove as I had 4-5 coats and I'm thinking of dipping the whole body in thinner or just buy the kit again but I already invested a lot of time in it. your input is greatly appreciated and your work is very meticulous and above all I like your voice and accent as it's very clear and easy to understand. Cheers from Boston!

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Best to buy a new one. Do not dip it in thinner!

[@svdj80]

If it is acrylic paint you have used? It may work to drain a cotton cloth with sealing foam-pistol cleaner and work it in. You may do this several times if you have thick layers of paint. But unfortunately it´s quite expensive, at least here where I live ;)

[@AlexDraghina]

For acrylic - I used some auto break fluid. I let the parts soak in for about 20+ minutes, then I used a toothbrush to clean it off - it worked really well. But be careful with the break fluid - use rubber gloves, and discard of it properly (I put it back in the bottle for future use, but I will return it to an auto repair shop for disposal). Another (safer) alternative would be a windows cleaning product that contains ammonia, but I haven't found any around here.

[@svdj80]

Integrering to hear. Break fluid has never worked for me if the paint is dry and even have an acrylic clearcoat on top. I had a model in such bath for 2 years and it didn't bite really. Maybe that the break fluid is too environmental friendly here.

[@AlexDraghina]

Daniel Jansson hehe. I had these parts marinate in water with dishwashing soap for a few weeks, with no results. While with this break fluid (dot 3, the cheapest I could find), it rubbed off right away. Maybe it's the clearcoat that it's more protective? (I hadn't painted the clearcoat, it was raw acrylic paint).

[@Maty-fisherman]

where did you get the stand from? please

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Tamiya spray stand

[@amanzon274]

Hi! Why do you mark all the lines in black and after that you sand it?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Its a guidecoat to show the progress in removing the mold lines

[@amanzon274]

@@TheScalemodelingChannel why should you do it? if i start paint the plastic body as it is this will be less professional?

[@jslute]

Has anything changed in the way you prep since you made this tutorial?

[@luukwu7193]

Ik kom er nu pas achter dat Nederlands bent maar je maakt super goede video's

[@timbouman3641]

Luuk Wu je hoort het aan dat gebroken engels 😂

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Tim Bouman zou dat het zijn?

[@timbouman3641]

The Scalemodeling Channel hhhhm geen idee denk het

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

ik zou het knap vinden aangezien je nou niet echt een accent hoort, maargoed. dat zal wel aan mij liggen

[@lachyl7107]

Do you wash the parts your painting before painting g

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

I personally never have

[@ParkAvenue287]

Awesome video! Thank you. But I think you forgot to put the link of the sanding sticks in the description?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

ParkAvenue287 That indeed is correct :P My bad.. modelbrouwers.nl/winkel/schuren-en-polijsten/vijlen/vijlenset-fijn-grit-240-320-3mm-12-stuks

[@billysayers7941]

What colour primer could I use for Gray?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Grey

[@billysayers7941]

Ok thanks

[@eldiablo7024]

Do you just use a normal permanent marking pen to mark out the mould lines?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Yes

[@eldiablo7024]

Thanks

[@IvanIdsinga]

Hi! Cool video's. Volgens mij ben je Nederlands toch? Hoe kom je aan de standaard die je gebruikt om de modellen op te klemmen? Alvast bedankt en mvg, Ivan

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

+Ivan Idsinga Dit is een Tamiya Spray stand

[@IvanIdsinga]

+The Scalemodeling Channel Thanks!!

[@ruggeda55]

Where can I buy that body holder you're using? Is that homemade?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

i have links in the description.

[@wayneoh7710]

Excellent video and tips!! May i know what is the purpose of the primer?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

It helps the paint stick better and remove tiny imperfections or scratches in the plastic.

[@wayneoh7710]

The Scalemodeling Channel thanks for the quick clarification, so if i want my model to be white, can i just use a white primer without white paint?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

wayne oh if that is the shade of white you want and the finish you want to have your model in. Sure

[@wayneoh7710]

That is great!! Thank you very much for the tips. Appreciate it

[@mr.joshua204]

What's the name of that spinning holder thing that you are using to hold the body

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Tamiya spray stand

[@TheMrrobbie1997]

Do you have any experience with revell airbrush kit wich you plug into the wall?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Jazeker. Die zijn ontzettend slecht. Je kan beter even door sparen voor bijvoorbeeld een harder en steenbeck

[@TheMrrobbie1997]

The Scalemodeling Channel Het is juist dat ik nog maar net begonnen ben en niet weet of ik het kan/leuk vindt. Dus om er 200 euro in te steken en er dan achter te komen dat ik het niks vindt zou kak zijn :) Wat raad je aan voor mensen met een budget? Een beginners set

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Om het te proberen zou ik even aankloppen bij airbrushservice almere. ze hebben daar van laag tot hoog en weten je perfect te adviseren ;)

[@kayavanekeren9673]

can some one help me and tell me what is te name of the thing what he car body is holding while he is painting it what is the name for that thing ?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Tamiya spray stand

[@Erilis000]

Thanks for the video dude. I'm new to modeling and this helps a lot. What kind of set up is that you're working in though? Where did you get that metal box or what is it called? Thank you.

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

What do you mean with metal box?

[@Reidy82]

Possibly means the spray booth..?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

well, that is a sparmax booth, but is plastic:P

[@birdy369]

or is it the stand he's referring to? it's made by tamiya... I THINK, and that's all I know!

[@saragarnham]

I accidentally picked up a rough sand paper and I am seeing the scratches all over my shell. The spray is not filling it in and still seeing the scratches. Is there a way I can fix this?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Sand it with a finer grit and start over

[@saragarnham]

@@TheScalemodelingChannel ok thank you

[@ihateliberals518]

what's the reason for the permanent marker? is it like a guide coat, to make sure it's sanded flat?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Exactly as you said it, its a guide coat

[@ihateliberals518]

The Scalemodeling Channel any tips for painting with lacquer(nail polish) with an air brush? I've always painted with enamel rattle cans. I've been told you mix it with a medium heat thinner at 2:1. is that right?(2 parts paint to 1 part thinner)

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

+gary williams sorry man, no clue. I've never worked with naul polish before. Though just like any other paint: when thinning for airbrush use, i go for a milk thickness

[@Skaters1517]

What sandpaper did you use (number wise) to sand the body after using the sanding sticks?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Skaters1517 600

[@napadaanlng69]

1.) what is the best grit of sandpaper to smooth plastic kits before applying primer? 2.) Do i have to necessarily sand the plastic kit after i apply the primer or is it just fine to go straight with the paint?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

6 or 800 no its optional but it does inprove the end result(less orange peel)

[@napadaanlng69]

you have the most greatest videos about scale modelling. thanks

[@lucaabsmann379]

Wich size of airbrush to you take ?

[@diegomiranda853]

Im new to scale modeling so what's that part that's holding the model car body while it was getting painted

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Tamiya paint stand

[@upendoluv3605]

what grits did you use to remove the black in?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

600

[@birdy369]

should I wet sand or dry sand? I remember reading or seeing somewhere about wet sanding... and any tips on how to use little sheets of sandpaper more... ergonomically friendly? easier to handle? I've thought of wrapping them around something but I'm not sure what that something should be yet lol

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

wetsandings gives a big mess, i preffer dry sanding.

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

The po' boy way of finishing a kit is a can of krylon. Light sandpaper grit, rinse car off, dry, tack cloth all lint. Find a hot day, mist paint, wait, mist, until its glossy..

[@dominicb3449]

hey im going to build a enzo ferrari any tips or trixs and it a revell kit

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Go for it and give it your all

[@dominicb3449]

ok thx also im 14 teen lol if your wondering

[@raGEEE1986]

Just a question , could you use tamiya x/xf pots airbrushed over vallejo air grey primer ?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

I think that should be fine, as far as i know they are both acrylic.

[@jamesadams661]

Do you need to sand or use micro mesh on the body work after the coats of primer?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

That depends on how smooth the primer is. It can’t hurt though to smoothen it out with 2000 grit

[@jamesadams661]

@@TheScalemodelingChannel was planning on using zero paints primer w/ airbursh. Just give it a light sanding?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

James Adams jup

[@beverlygeary4524]

Where can I get the car stand you use for painting?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

+Beverly Geary It is from Tamiya and they cal it a paint stand. Ebay should sell loads.

[@beverlygeary4524]

+The Scalemodeling Channel Thank you. I found it and ordered it. Also want to thank you for the informative video. :)

[@willieobermann1528]

I would like to purchase sanding sticks.

[@swicegodvwlover3130]

Hey, I wanna get myself some sanding sticks but I am not sure on what to get, can you help me, I wanna order on amazon cause I’m ordering something else but don’t wanna be screwed over

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

SWicegodVWlover not much to be srewed over when it comes to sanding sticks right ? Just look at price grit and size

[@swicegodvwlover3130]

The Scalemodeling Channel you used 240 and 320 grit right, but isn’t that rough? What I usually use is hand nail files, and it’s pretty rough, I’m scared that I’ll buy some sanding paper or sanding stick and it’ll pass through the body

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Even with 40 grit youd have quite the challange sanding trough the body in 1 shot

[@Dillusionz]

what grid sandpaper u use to remove the mold lines.

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Daryl Chew 600

[@ss-ky1vl]

where do you get these kits? I want a replica of my cobra and civic

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Ebay is the place to go ;)

[@muhamadfaisal5170]

what's the differences between using sanding stick and sandpaper? do you use the same grit? how about using sandpaper only without sanding stick? thanks for your tips anyway..

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

+Bigfai Channel a sanding stick is rigid. Wich makes it easier to just touch the high spots. Sanpaper can create low spots arround the high spot. The same grit aplies

[@muhamadfaisal5170]

The Scalemodeling Channel thanks for the answer..

[@Teggymania]

Would you recommend handpainting the body?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

hello there no. Not at all

[@Teggymania]

The Scalemodeling Channel Okay, thanks.

[@birdy369]

Hello There unfortunately I'll HAVE to hand paint mine. I've seen a video on here of a guy who hand painted his model car, and it didn't turn out bad at all. he used very very thin coats of paint to avoid brushstrokes. and a lot of layers of thin coats too, he went about it very meticulously. now it will not give that perfect "like the real thing" finish, but as I said it didn't look bad at all. I'm only on my second scale model, first car, my first build was a Revell titanic (1:400 I believe? I'll have to check that) and I hand painted it. It turned out pretty well, not as well as I could have done, (had to rush it, it was a last minute Christmas gift) but brush strokes weren't extremely obvious to the eye.

[@billgoodnu]

Do you wipe the body or for that matter any parts with anything prior to painting, with alcohol, mineral spirits etc.?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

I don’t

[@buwaya5704]

can i use epoxy primer with catalyst with lacquer thinner on scale model?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

I think you can is if is sutable for plastic, though i have never used it before.

[@buwaya5704]

thanks

[@NeonsStyleHD]

Do you sand the entire model before painting or just the mold lines? Also, I'm having problems sanding with 1200 sand paper it just takes the paint off my test piece I'm using to learn how to do this.

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

I do sand the entire body Then either the primer is not thick enough or you are sanding to much

[@NeonsStyleHD]

Thank you.

[@williamsantiago7303]

By using the black marker does that let you find ruff spots on the edges? Is that the reason for the marker? Great video and VERY INFORMATIVE buddy. Keep up the good work. Thumbs up bud.

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

+William Santiago yes

[@fordman1956]

Great information , Brother. Very helpful........JIM

[@mikebreazeale2563]

Great music!

[@joevrabel7374]

Why do you have to sand the raised edges off?

[@joshdunn101]

what grit sand paper should I use to sand the lines?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

400 or 600

[@alpeena]

wait..did u skip totally how you cleaned her up after sanding/before priming....?????????

[@alexoliver5649]

Is it possible to airbrush the tamiya primer?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

yes

[@WayneModz]

where can i buy this kit

[@johnoliver2442]

Hobby lobby

[@randallsaunders8927]

What is the psi setting for the airbrush?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

35psi

[@ooyginyardel4835]

Love Strauss

[@MiguelJimenez-yn1tg]

can you please tell me what song you played during the video, Thanks!!

[@davidthompson6834]

It’s called the beautiful Danube

[@davidthompson6834]

Strauss

[@johnjacob688]

Noticed that the Mk1 body doesn't have the quarter window rails.

[@anthonygalpin9223]

Any point laquering gloss black

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

If you want to improve the gloss

[@ibrahimmalik6612]

Is this a 1.1 scale

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

1:24

[@bofa83]

I sand the body and the scratches show through the primer, and then the paint, what am I doing wrong?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

What grit of sandpaper are you using?

[@bofa83]

@@TheScalemodelingChannel 400.

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

@@bofa83 thats to course, try atleast 600 or 800

[@bofa83]

@@TheScalemodelingChannel oh ok. Thank you.

[@wizels]

At the final score you forget about Screenwriter, Producer and Director! ))))

[@ianseville]

hi whats the name of the item holding the model

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

+ian seville Tamiya spray stand

[@q3znw6j88aywnwy]

The tamiya primer is really thick

[@untouchablelac93]

I was told to use adhesion promoter not primer cause primer doesn't really stick to plastic

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

If you prepare the surface correctly and use the right primer it sticks just fine. I have never used adhesion promoter

[@mshanejsmodelsnstuff2865]

A golf? Didn't know they made a kit for that vehicle. If you want to guild a golf, I have one in my barn my son started on and left in pieces parts. LoL

[@EnglishBoyHere]

M. Shane J Do you still have it ?

[@Ongekendd]

Hoe ontvet jij hem dan?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Niet

[@Ongekendd]

@@TheScalemodelingChannel Ik dacht dat dat wel een dingetje was namelijk haha

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

Daar hoor ik ook iedereen over. Nooit gedaan. Nooit last van gehad

[@styrenehelp]

new to modelling. why mark in black pen and sand off?

[@TheScalemodelingChannel]

C Haslam mark it so you know where it is. And when sanding you know when it is gone