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Paint for soft plastic

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  • Member since
    December 2009
  • From: Bradenton, Florida
Paint for soft plastic
Posted by 511inf11AAD on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 10:59 AM

I'v been eyeballing this Custer's Last Stand (Fight) that's been sitting in my closet for about two years now. The one question I'v had since I bought it is what's best paint for soft plastic figures ?? 

Sam

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 12:30 PM

By soft plastic, I assume you're refering to Vinyl.  Doesn't hold most paints well.  I use Krylon Fusion from a rattle can as a primer.  Seems to help.

Regards,  Rick

RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by batai37 on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 12:51 PM

rjkplasticmod

By soft plastic, I assume you're refering to Vinyl.  Doesn't hold most paints well.  I use Krylon Fusion from a rattle can as a primer.  Seems to help.

Regards,  Rick

Thanks for the info. I have two kits of the Halcyon Nostromo from Alien that has vinyl parts and I've been wondering what kind of paint would work best.

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by batai37 on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 7:51 PM

What about solvent-based products like Mr. Surfacer as a primer?

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • From: Bradenton, Florida
Posted by 511inf11AAD on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:05 PM

Ok, thanks, I think I've got it now. I take my soft plastic vinyl figures and put them in an old Krylon paint can, and i guess with some rocks. Shake them so that they rattle, because you can't sand paper them? Then infuse them with some some primer. And then paint with acrylic paint, red for Indians and blue for cavarly.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, January 15, 2010 10:14 AM

You could also try 'bumper paint' made for rubber and rubber-like plastic parts on cars. You can find it at an auto parts store of course. Mine came in a medium grey primer colour. Once it's primed you can paint over it with whatever you want though I wouldn't tempt fate by using enamel.

I can't agree with AgentG more- I sprayed some rubber model car tires with gloss coat over fifteen years ago and I still don't think the paint is dry!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Friday, January 15, 2010 10:50 AM

They used to make paints specifically for painting vinyl. Unfortunately it was extremely toxic.. A former member (late) of our club spent part of his life doing artwork for rich people who wanted their shower curtains painted. The effects from exposure to this stuff accumulated over the years and eventually lead to his passing. It burned the inside of his lungs. In those days there were no laws governing it use and when you are a starving "artist" you do what ever it takes to feed your family.  I still can remember his stories about being part of the Tuskegee Airmen. Toast

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: The Bluegrass State
Posted by EasyMike on Friday, January 15, 2010 11:32 AM

agentg
...Never ever use enamel on bare vinyl...

I suppose it depends on the type of vinyl.  I have a Marx Civil War set I received as a gift as a child.  I painted them with Testor's hobby enamels and most of the paint is still on them.

 

I have Screamin's Elvira vinyl figure.  I air brushed enamel primer on her.  No problems.

Smile

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • From: Bradenton, Florida
Posted by 511inf11AAD on Thursday, January 21, 2010 7:55 PM

Was just jokeing around. I've got a strange sence of humor, I guess,that all.  I appreciate all the ideas and suggestions. That's why I belong to this forum. Sorry if I came out on the wrong side.

Sam

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Crawfordsville, Indiana
Posted by Wabashwheels on Thursday, January 28, 2010 1:48 PM

I've painted vinyl 54mm Civil War figures from Imex, Accurate Miniatures, TSSD , and conte for years.  There is an excellent article on trimming and painting vinyl figures from Michigan Toy Soldiers.  I did not see the article on their website today, but they have some good utube stuff now that might help.  I know that one thing I learned early was to thoroughly wash the figures with a good liquid dish soap to get the mold release oils off.  After  production, vinyls and other plastics will "bloom" lubricants to the surface that need to be washed away.  Once primed I've had good luck with acrylics and enamels.   As with most paint jobs, the preparation is key.  Rick.

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/MichToyCo

 

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