Tutorial- Acrylic, Enamel & Lacquer Paints & the Thinner/ Paint Remover

This tutorial tackles the properties of different paint types, how to remove them, and how to exploit these properties in painting your clone trooper customs.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is what kind of paint/tools do I use. The answer to that is:
I mainly use Tamiya and Mr Hobby paints (regular and Gloss). Other tools
I use are paintbrushes, toothpicks, files, X-Acto blades, super glue,
Dremel, Tamiya Masking Tape, Tamiya Pla Plates, Hasegawa Application Sheet (masking Support), tweezers.
I also make sure the details are sharp by wearing magnifying glasses. And of course, wear filtered masks when spray painting!
#Hasbro​
#BlackSeries​
#StarWars​
#TheCloneWars​
#CloneTrooper​
#CustomFigures

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

Hey guys! This video might not be the sexiest topic but it tackles an important subject. It is a follow up to last week’s tutorial on weathering. I mention “protect your work with lacquer clear coat” but never really delve into why and how it applies to the painting process. I hope some of you find useful and thanks for tuning in!

[@edgararanda1857]

Thank you so much for the last two videos. I’ve been making more customs recently and was hesitant to graduate to better methods and paints. Hopefully I can use parts of your tutorial in my next project.

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

Glad to hear it helps Edgar! My videos are a bit long and wordy, but hope you are able to extract something helpful from it.

[@restock_1731]

Oh man, this is your best video ever, I took notes on this one. 👍. Thanks for breaking it down a bit further, now I have a better grasp on painting, even though I haven't painted in a hot minute. Lol. I have used nail polish remover on some clones and works pretty damn good, but like you said, the chest got eaten up a bit, but thank goodness for fine grain sandpaper. Lol. I've been using a matte clear coat, but I'm gonna definitely make the jump to lacquer clear coat. Then I gotta pick up some X-20 thinner. Such a great video. You the man. 👍

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

You took notes? I’ll be sure to quiz you then 😂. Btw, my Mr Hobby lacquer clear coat also comes in Matte, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss. I’m tact, they have many lines and each line has the three options as mentioned above. I I’m not sure why TBH 😂

[@restock_1731]

@@ka-bashedfigures834 oh my, just when you think it got a bit easier, it didn't. 🤣🤣

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

@@restock_1731 haha. Just use Mr Hobby Mr. Super Clear or Tamiya clear coat it will be ok. I’m not pushing for these brands but it’s the only ones that I am exposed to here in Asia.

[@lionross7131]

Another awesome video brother! Keep it up!!👏👏👏

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

Thank you Leonel!

[@the_collector_of_different_toy]

Something I’ve come to see with nail polish/acetone is it doesn’t really scar soft plastic like those tires on bly but hard plastic like the chest it will leave residue and melt the plastic of it

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

You are absolutely correct! I will be going along and when it gets to the chest I’m like woah woah woah!!!

[@StarlightAkari]

This answered my question on why people bother using model paints more toxic than a water-based acrylic, thank you so much!

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

Sure thing! I think I this hobby has shortened my life by years 😂

[@googleaccount3161]

I’ve been looking everywhere for any opinions on customizing the elite squad trooper. Will the black of the body and the slight green on the face pose any challenges with the typical priming and paint method?

[@gabesstarwarscollection]

very informative!

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

Thank you! Hope it helps.

[@gabesstarwarscollection]

@@ka-bashedfigures834 It did! By the way, I finally uploaded my Collection Room Tour where I do show off some of the clone trooper minis I painted for the Star Wars Legion board game at around the 9:00 minute mark in the video.

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

@@gabesstarwarscollection Gabe those are awesome paint jobs! I can feel your pain with the painting the black parts in those tiny miniatures, especially having to paint multiples! 😂 Perhaps it will help reduce the paint next time to first spray on the clear coat (to protect the white paint beneath), then use black panel liner to dab the black joints (the liquid will automatically help fill out the part and forms a very tidy edge). Let that dry, and then go back in w a brush and paint to fill out the actual joints, or even use gundam panel lining markers. Then use a tiny cotton swab (model shops have them) and use enamel thinner to clean up any mistakes. That’s how I usually do to paint visors on clone helmet. Oh, and using a magnifying headgear with lights will make things even easier-- but I assume you are already using it considering you paint miniatures. But again, great collection brother!

[@drewxmark]

What process should I take on my gunpla if I have a Acrylic Spray cans as base paint and top it with enamel for panel lining?

[@RR_1138]

Do just use Tamiya white primer for the white clone armor? It dries correctly and not tacky ?

[@ka-bashedfigures834]

I use Mr Hobby’s Mr Surfacer 1500 series for my primer. I never have a problem with it regarding tackiness, especially if I wait a long time for it to cure. If I’m not in a rush I let it sit for a day. But I have done like 10-15mins before applying a color on top, which isn’t good practice, but I have gotten away with it. 😆 I have encountered tackiness before not with primer but with the paint sprayed above it. When it happens it is with the limbs and head of the clone figure which are made with softer plastic. It happened with 3 of my projects, and when I redo it the problem still persists a couple of tries, which leads me to believe it has something to do with the plastic itself (something happens when it plastic is being casted). It is pretty frustrating to say the least! With the last one I finally fixed the issue by completely stripping all paints with thinner, then scrub the plastic with an electric toothbrush and light detergent and water, then apply the primer and let it sit for a day, and finally using a different spray paint on it. Make sure you give each layer a long time to sit and cure, and do everything in a not humid environment. As for Tamiya I cannot say for sure because i have not used it before, but I imagine it shouldn’t be a problem. Hope this helps!

[@looniesylver]

Interesting 🤓 ! What kind of primer did you use???

[@diana-xg9yx]

I think I’m the only one that came here so I can remove paint from my keyboard 😅