about painting..

[mike1003]

is it actually possible to get my figures painted and there smooth like before? i painted a helicopter last night and the surface is awefull.. not like orignal anymore.. i tried to put some clear matt over it but its not making it better.. any help would be really nice. as i have still to paint around 1000 soldiers for a project..

thannnnnnnnnnnnks

[Sylvia]

I think airbrushing is the only method of painting that would leave no brushstrokes or surface lumps.

One of our members even made his own airbrushing booth.

I don't know if you would be able get access to the right equipment or have enough space - and adequate ventilation would surely be a major concern - but it would certainly speed up the painting process.

1000 soldiers sounds like a very big project!

[playmofire]

Using acrylic spray cans (as for cars) works well.  For large surfaces, I spray first with plastic primer then follow up with red, white or grey primer (depending on the final colour) and then one or two topcoats.  I sprayed figures as well, but it's best to disassemble them as it reduces the need for masking.

[Martin Milner]

I've always done spray painting outdoors, though I've yet to try spray painting Playmobil.

1,000 soldiers? Goodness me, that's a major investment of cash, not to mention time. I don't have 1,000 figures all told, and I certainly wouldn't want to spray paint them all.

I'd love to see some pictures of the process and finished project.

[mike1003]

yeah.. will do pictures at the end.. have to anyway.. and i try to get a proper stop motion film.. have 1.5 yrs time... hehe mostlikely i need that

[mike1003]

what is actually a gud colour for skin? from humbold or revell??

[Sylvia]

I haven't so far found a single paint colour by Humbold or Revell which exactly matches the 'skin tone' of Playmobil figures. Their pale skin colour is too pale and not peachy enough so I usually mix in a little more red, white, and maybe a smidgen of yellow until I get something similar to the colour I'm trying to match.

I've heard of some people using Warhammer paints. Perhaps there is a colour in their range which is a close enough match.

[Timotheos]

what is actually a gud colour for skin? from humbold or revell??

I mix my own flesh tones, and they closely match the factory color.

Consider:
1) Applying your primer for a white base.
2) Take acrylic paint and mix white, red, and yellow (start with white, add red, then add yellow to soften the red) until you get the tone you like.  Even in the days I painted Warhammer I mixed my own flesh tones.  Granted, I was also an art student and the teacher weaned us to mix our own colors...

If you are wanting to paint hands, this will be problem, as if you paint the inside of the fist the paint will inevitably strip off if the figure is given something to hold.  Maybe airbrushing or paint that bonds with plastic will get around that.  You likely won't find bonding paint in flesh tones, though.

[playmofire]

Humbrol make/made a clear "primer" to increase adhesion to plastic.