How to Airbrush Resin Models

Resin is used to make models.

Resin models are becoming more popular in the collector market. They are normally models of animals, fantasy creatures or movie figures. Resin in typically a viscous and sticky plant secretion. Once it hardens, it is used in everything from construction to bowling balls. You can often buy resin models to put them together (much like plastic model kits of cars and planes), and paint them afterward. One technique to paint your kit is to use an airbrush, which allows for plenty of detail and color variation. Using an airbrush to paint your resin model accurately will take ample practice and lots of patience.

Things You'll Need

• 300-grit sandpaper
• Microfiber cloth
• Primer
• Airbrush
• Masking tape
• Airbrush paint
• Clear coat

Instructions

1. Create a slightly rough texture to your resin model by sanding the surface with 300-grit sandpaper. Sanding it will create a surface that allows the resin to bond with the primer that you are going to spray onto the model. Do not gouge the resin exterior by pressing too hard; simply rub it so that it is not smooth under your touch.

2. Wipe the resin model down with a microfiber cloth. This eliminates any dust that was produced with your sanding. Dust may impede your paint from adhering properly and may cause an undesired painting finish.

3. Load your airbrush with a light colored paint or airbrush primer. Both can be used to the same effect. If you use a lighter colored paint, try to use a color that you want displayed on a large portion of your model. You can always add color and darkness to your model. It's much more difficult to remove paint you don't want. Spray your primer coat over the entirety of your resin model. Use short, quick, soft strokes to your paint application. This will create a light even covering to your model, which is what you are looking for. A thick, heavy coat will only impede your painting and eliminate the option for detail. Allow the primer to dry for a number of hours before you apply paint.

4. Sand the top of the primer with your sandpaper. Again, only sand enough to create a rough, textured bonding surface--any more may affect how the paint looks. Wipe down the dust with your microfiber cloth again.

5. Place masking tape on the areas of your resin model that you don't want to paint. As there will be a lot of different colors that will be used for a realistic-looking model, you will need to apply those same colors carefully. A trick to help you apply the separate colors carefully is to use masking tape and tape off the areas you don't want painted. This will prevent the paint from seeping under, ruining the look of the piece. If it does happen, you can paint over the unwanted paint, but it does take time and effort.

6. Spray your airbrush paint onto the model. If you are painting flesh colors, spray both the face and hands of your model, and so on. Use the same light strokes as you did for the primer. Once you've finished a coating, remove the tape, allow the paint to dry and remask your figure for the next color. Apply that color, allow it to dry, remask, etc., until you are done with the model.

7. Apply your clear coat onto the top of the model (if you want). This gives the model a luster and sheen. Take that into account if you are looking for a realistic-looking model. Clear coat may not be a good option, in that case. If you choose to apply clear coating, sand down the top layer of paint. Once again, give it a rough exterior to the touch. Wipe it down, and apply your clear coat with either airbrush clear coating, or an aerosol version of the same mixture. Allow this to dry before handling it.

References

• Cody Scoop: Building Those Pesky Master Grade Figures

Resources

• Iwata-Medea: Figures and Statues