How to Touch Up a Scratched Model Horse

It's inevitable, but it can heartbreaking when it happens -- your prize model horse gets scratched or otherwise marred. This lowers the value of the model considerably and eliminates chances of using the model at live shows. But very minor damages like ear-tip and hoof rubs (where the color lifts off, leaving the white plastic below) you can repair yourself. The following is recommended for plastic models like Breyer or Peter Stones only.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A well-lit room
• Surface safe to paint on
• Very finely pointed paintbrush
• White scrap paper (must be white)
• Water in cup reserved for mixing paint
• Water-based acrylic craft paint
• Magnifying glass (optional)

You Are Their Vet

1. Make sure the model horse is dust-free and clean.

2. Choose a time when you won't be disturbed. Bring all your materials to a well-lit room.

3. Mix the paint on your white scrap paper in order to best duplicate what it will look like on the horse. Mixing the right amount of water and paint colors takes trial and error. Wait a minute or two to see if the paint changes color considerably when it dries on the paper.

4. Load up the brush and lightly dab paint onto the scratched part of the model.

5. Use a magnifying lens, if you have it, to see that the paint looks the same thickness as the surrounding paint. You also want to check that no floating strand of hair or fuzz has stuck to the wet paint.

6. Each model takes a different amount of time to dry, but usually it's less than an hour for minor scratches and rubs. If you painted the hooves, lay the horse on its side to dry.

7. Put all of your touch-up materials away and be sure to immediately dump the water and clean the brushes.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are going to sell this model, you need to let potential buyers know that it was touched up.
• The model will still be fine for collecting and photo showing.
• You will not ruin the model if you make a mistake. Mistakes can be painted over eventually.
• The paint will often look slightly different when dry than when wet.
• It's best to touch up black areas for your first attempt, then move on to more difficult colors like chestnut, palomino or blood-bay.
• Keep the room well ventilated. The smell of the paint can make you feel sick if you are not used to it.
• Keep pets, children and DIY-type spouses away from your drying model.
• Don't touch the horse up when you are sick or upset. You need a steady hand.

Resources

• Fixing Models