What Paints Are Available for Model Painting? How to Choose the Desired Paint Color?

Model painting is an artistic process. Different paints can help us show different effects and levels. When choosing paint, in addition to considering the characteristics of the paint itself, you must also choose the right color according to the needs of the model. The following will introduce the common types of model paints and how to choose them.

Common Types of Model Paints

a. Acrylic Paints

Features: Water-based paint is an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and light-smell paint that is suitable for painting most models, especially for indoor painting. It dries quickly and is easy to clean after use, making it especially suitable for detailed painting and manual operations.

Application: Widely used in model painting of different materials such as plastic, wood, metal, etc. Water-based paint usually has better color expression and lower VOC content, which is very suitable for hobbyists and professional model making.

 
CITADEL water-based paint is a commonly used paint for model painting

b. Oil-based Paints

Features: Oil-based paint generally has strong durability and covering power, and can provide more lasting color effects. Due to its slow drying characteristics, it is suitable for painting processes that require adjustment of details.

Application: Commonly used for painting metal surfaces and models that require higher durability, such as metal parts of military models, weathering effects of old models, etc.

 c. Acrylic Paints

Features: Acrylic paint has good toughness, wear resistance and covering properties, suitable for various coating requirements. Acrylic paint is similar to water-based paint, but has stronger durability and surface adhesion.

Application: Commonly used for fine detail painting, large area painting of metal surfaces and models.

 d. Spray Paints

 Features: Spray paint is usually used for large-area uniform painting, and can quickly cover the entire model surface. It is suitable for primer, base painting or large-area coating.

 Application: Widely used in painting large-scale models, such as aircraft, car models, etc., to provide a uniform and smooth coating.

e. Metallic & Pearlescent Paints

Features: Metallic paint can provide metallic reflective effects and simulate the gloss of metal surfaces, while pearlescent paint has a unique gloss change effect and can show richer visual effects.

Application: Mainly used for metal parts in models, such as armor, cars, airplanes, mechanical models, etc., to help simulate real metal appearance and surface effects.

 
Beautiful metallic gloss paint

f. Gloss, Satin, Matte Paint

 Features: These paints can change the visual effect of the model by adjusting the glossiness. High gloss paints provide a reflective sheen, while matte paints give a smoother, matte effect.

 Application: Suitable for occasions where the surface gloss of the model needs to be adjusted as needed. For example, military models use matte paint to simulate wear and natural aging effects, while automotive models may use high-gloss paint to increase the brightness and shine of their appearance.

How to Choose the Color of the Paint?

In model painting, the choice of color is crucial. Reasonable color matching can enhance the model's expressiveness and visual effect. The following are several common color matching methods and techniques:

a. Complementary Color Matching

 Definition: Complementary colors are two colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green, blue and orange, etc. Complementary colors can produce a strong contrast effect and make the colors more vivid.

 Application example: Camouflage patterns in military models, where red and green complement each other and enhance color contrast.

  
contrast colour card

b. Analogous Color Matching

 Definition: Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, such as blue, cyan, and green. This combination usually produces harmonious and natural color effects.

 Application example: Use analogous colors to create natural transitions in clothing for human models or in models of natural landscapes.

c. Monochromatic Color Matching

Definition: Monochromatic color schemes use different lightness and saturation of the same hue to create a unified and layered effect.

Application example: Use to create gradient effects for shadows and highlights, such as different shades of blue or red.

d. The Connection Between Color and Emotion

Warm colors (such as red, yellow, and orange) often express energy and power, and are suitable for battle scenes, heroic characters, etc.

Cool colors (such as blues, purples, and greens) are often used to convey calm, technological, or tranquil scenes.

e. Choose the Right Color According to the Material

 For models of different materials, choosing the right paint can help improve realism. For example, metallic surfaces can be painted with metallic paint to simulate realistic reflective luster, while wooden models can be painted with brown or natural tones to show wood grain effects.

How to Use 3nh's Color Matching Software and Color Measuring Instruments to Select Paint Colors?

The color matching software and color measuring instruments provided by 3nh are very useful tools in model painting. The color matching software can help model makers select and match the appropriate colors, and the color measuring instrument helps ensure the accuracy and consistency of the colors.

• 3nh color matching software PeColor : can help users select colors that meet their requirements and generate matching color combinations. Whether it is selecting the main color or the details for the model painting, the color matching software can provide an optimization plan based on the similarity and contrast of the colors.

• 3nh color measurement instruments: colorimeter and spectrophotometer can be used to detect color in real time and ensure the color consistency of each layer of coating. Through these instruments, users can monitor color changes in real time, adjust color matching schemes in time, and avoid color deviation.

I. Portable Colorimeter : ColorReader QS4500

ColorReader QS4500 is a miniature colorimeter with excellent high-performance configuration . ColorReader QS4500 can be wirelessly connected to Android, IOS, Hongmeng and other devices, greatly expanding the application boundaries of color measurement instruments. It can replace paper, textile, paint and other color cards to achieve color reading, color card search, paint repair color difference measurement and other functions . The repeatability is less than or equal to 0.05, and the display accuracy is 0.01. It can provide you with accurate color measurement with just a light touch , and can conveniently measure the color of paint.

II. YS3060 Grating Spectrophotometer with UV SCI/SCE Bluetooth

Under the d/ 8 geometric optical lighting conditions recommended by CIE , the grating spectrophotometer can accurately measure the SCI and SCE reflectance data of samples/fluorescent samples, and can accurately measure and express various color difference formulas and color indexes in multiple color spaces. With the help of this instrument, accurate color transmission can be easily achieved, and it can also be used as a detection device for accurate color matching systems. The instrument is also widely used in color difference quality control of various products. The instrument is equipped with color management software and can be connected to a computer for more functional expansion.

III. YG268 Tri-angle Gloss Meter

It can be used for gloss measurement and quality inspection in paint, ink, coating, paper printing, plastic electronics, furniture, ceramics, electroplating, hardware, marble and other industries.

Model painting requires not only the selection of appropriate paint, but also precise color management and mixing. By understanding different types of paint and color matching techniques, combined with 3nh's color matching software and color measuring instruments, model makers can more accurately select and manage colors to ensure that each model's painting effect is perfect.