Painting gloss figures (1 Viewer)

[Wraith]

A quick question concerning painting glossys.

Can anyone tell me if I'm likely to get a 'rich', deep gloss finish on a figure if I paint them up using matt paints and then put several layers of gloss varnish on them?

The finish I'd like to get is like the Trophy hand to hand sets which the Lt kindly posted on another thread.

In essence, I've always used matt paints and have got a good range, and I'm too tight to go and buy a range of gloss paints if I can get away with just using a glos varnish / sealer.

Any thoughts?

Simon

 

[Leadmen]

I find using Humbrol gloss or Testors work best for me. I have painted matte and used gloss varnish but I did not care for this style. That is my opinion only. John

 

[Wraith]

Thanks for that John.
I suspect it's as feared, that I'll have to spend out on some gloss paint. Still, worth a shot.

Cheers
Simon

 

[The Lt.]

A quick question concerning painting glossys.

Can anyone tell me if I'm likely to get a 'rich', deep gloss finish on a figure if I paint them up using matt paints and then put several layers of gloss varnish on them?

The finish I'd like to get is like the Trophy hand to hand sets which the Lt kindly posted on another thread.

In essence, I've always used matt paints and have got a good range, and I'm too tight to go and buy a range of gloss paints if I can get away with just using a glos varnish / sealer.

Any thoughts?

Simon

Simon all of my painted gloss figures both metal and plastic were done in matte using only one coat of a clear gloss varnish to finish them for the glossy effect......The Lt.

 

[kilted vampire]

Simon, Here in the US there is a triple gloss that will knock your socks off. I do not know about Humbrol but I usually paint in matt and then gloss coat. Sometimes several coats for added protection. There is also an acryllic sealer that acts as a gloss coat and protects the matt coats. All of the Zulus that I have posted here and there have all been done this way.

 

[Wraith]

Thanks for your reply Lt. In the interests of keeping cash expenditure to a minimum, I guess I'll try a go at the matt paint + gloss varnish first as a trial run and see if that floats my boat. If not, then i'll be raiding the kids piggy bank and go gloss enamel shopping .

Simon

 

[Wraith]

Simon, Here in the US there is a triple gloss that will knock your socks off. I do not know about Humbrol but I usually paint in matt and then gloss coat. Sometimes several coats for added protection. There is also an acryllic sealer that acts as a gloss coat and protects the matt coats. All of the Zulus that I have posted here and there have all been done this way.

Cheers KV,
I guess a little trial and error on my part is needed. I've never been in the market for gloss varnishes, so I'll have to see what's avialable on this side of The Pond.

 

[aujj65]

A quick question concerning painting glossys.

Can anyone tell me if I'm likely to get a 'rich', deep gloss finish on a figure if I paint them up using matt paints and then put several layers of gloss varnish on them?

The finish I'd like to get is like the Trophy hand to hand sets which the Lt kindly posted on another thread.

In essence, I've always used matt paints and have got a good range, and I'm too tight to go and buy a range of gloss paints if I can get away with just using a glos varnish / sealer.

Any thoughts?

Simon

Simon,

My thoughts are........go and buy Humbrol gloss paints, you will get a much better finish - after all thats what the Trophy figures are painted with. Over the years I have tried different types of varnish over matt and its never the same imho. Certain varnishes can go a bit yellow with age.

Depending on what you are painting, I would have thought you can get away with 10 or 12 different colours, that RHA gun team I painted for Brad last year only used 11 different colours, others were mixed.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

 

[jrsteel]

Simon,

My thoughts are........go and buy Humbrol gloss paints, you will get a much better finish - after all thats what the Trophy figures are painted with. Over the years I have tried different types of varnish over matt and its never the same imho. Certain varnishes can go a bit yellow with age.

Depending on what you are painting, I would have thought you can get away with 10 or 12 different colours, that RHA gun team I painted for Brad last year only used 11 different colours, others were mixed.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

I agree with Jeff. Humbrol is the best way to go for gloss painting. I paint Britains reproductions and Tradition castings with Humbrol. Can't explain why but it loooks beter than just using a gloss coat over matt. You can get Humbrol in the U.S.

 

[Wraith]

Thanks gents.
It was that RHA team that tickled my interest, so thought I'd have a play around with something a bit different.
Thanks for all the help.

Simon

 

[aujj65]

Thanks gents.
It was that RHA team that tickled my interest, so thought I'd have a play around with something a bit different.
Thanks for all the help.

Simon

Hi Simon,

Any clues as to what you are going to play around with?

Jeff

 

[Wraith]

Hi Simon,

Any clues as to what you are going to play around with?

Jeff

I want to have a look around RP Models which now cast / sell etc the Steadfast range. Firstly, because it's all of 15 minutes away from me (and I STILL haven't had a chance to nip in there ), secondly, they sell castings (apparently) as well as painted models (thereby keeping me amused over a few evenings) and thirdly, the artillery range looks pretty neat.

If poss, I'd like to pick up a Gatling Gun set + crew, paint 'em up in a more traditional toy soldier, gloss finish.

Now see what you've gone and done?

Simon

 

[The Lt.]

I want to have a look around RP Models which now cast / sell etc the Steadfast range. Firstly, because it's all of 15 minutes away from me (and I STILL haven't had a chance to nip in there ), secondly, they sell castings (apparently) as well as painted models (thereby keeping me amused over a few evenings) and thirdly, the artillery range looks pretty neat.

If poss, I'd like to pick up a Gatling Gun set + crew, paint 'em up in a more traditional toy soldier, gloss finish.

Now see what you've gone and done?

Simon

It'll keep you busy and out of trouble and look at all the fun and enjoyment you'll get out of it. Glad you've been hooked and looking forward to seeing the end results....Joe

 

[aujj65]

I want to have a look around RP Models which now cast / sell etc the Steadfast range. Firstly, because it's all of 15 minutes away from me (and I STILL haven't had a chance to nip in there ), secondly, they sell castings (apparently) as well as painted models (thereby keeping me amused over a few evenings) and thirdly, the artillery range looks pretty neat.

If poss, I'd like to pick up a Gatling Gun set + crew, paint 'em up in a more traditional toy soldier, gloss finish.

Now see what you've gone and done?

Simon

Me?

Jeff

 

[maddadicus]

I want to have a look around RP Models which now cast / sell etc the Steadfast range. Firstly, because it's all of 15 minutes away from me (and I STILL haven't had a chance to nip in there ), secondly, they sell castings (apparently) as well as painted models (thereby keeping me amused over a few evenings) and thirdly, the artillery range looks pretty neat.

If poss, I'd like to pick up a Gatling Gun set + crew, paint 'em up in a more traditional toy soldier, gloss finish.

Now see what you've gone and done?

Simon

Simon, I love the old Steadfast Line...I have 4 Gatling, Gardner, Artillery Sets...Let me know after you stop in, what is available, painted or unpainted...Their site does not show much of what they used to mfg...Thanks,Michael

 

[Wraith]

Me?

Jeff

Gone and got my interests up in another facet of this hobby!

Lt,
It will make a nice change to the sort of things I usually do.

Michael,
Will let you know what I find there.

Cheers
Simon

 

[aujj65]

I want to have a look around RP Models which now cast / sell etc the Steadfast range. Firstly, because it's all of 15 minutes away from me (and I STILL haven't had a chance to nip in there ), secondly, they sell castings (apparently) as well as painted models (thereby keeping me amused over a few evenings) and thirdly, the artillery range looks pretty neat.

If poss, I'd like to pick up a Gatling Gun set + crew, paint 'em up in a more traditional toy soldier, gloss finish.

Now see what you've gone and done?

Simon

Simon,

Any luck yet on your visit to RP Models? According to their website they sell castings of all the painted sets they produce. Gatling or Maxim?

Jeff

 

[Wraith]

Simon,

Any luck yet on your visit to RP Models? According to their website they sell castings of all the painted sets they produce. Gatling or Maxim?

Jeff

Gatling.


This Gatling in fact :

 

[thebritfarmer]

Very nice......looking forward to seeing it painted up. Does the company you bought it from have a website?


Thanks

Scott

 

[Wraith]

Mean looking crew, although they're mostly 'armless o)

The gun was already made up, which looking at all the fiddly bits on it, I'm not unhappy about, as that might have just sent me over the edge.

The figure castings are all £3 each (I think that applies to all of their non mounted range. The gun was £28, which I guess reflects the time someone had to put it all together, but it's a very neat job, and the barrels rotate which is cool and should make painting them a bit easier. Not going to have time to start anything for another week or so, but willpost my progress.

They cast the figures for me whilst I was there, which having not seen the process before was interesting, and the guys there are helpful beyond belief. Real 'old school' customer service. They've got a couple of full time painters working there and outsource a lot of other painting

There were Gatlings and artillery all over the place. I think he said they do 6 different Gatling guns.

Michael,

They're about to move over to bigger premises, so a lot of stuff was packed away ready for the move in a month or so's time. They still have the full range of what they had on there old website and apparently shed loads of other stuff. they're having an open day at the end of next month, so I'll see if I can get to it and snap away. Painted or unpainted as down to you, they're happy either way. They're also messing around with resin at the moment, but don't seem to be hugely enthralled by the idea.

They're still trying to sort out a lot of the molds - loads all over the place.

Anyhoo, as I've got the resistance levels of a strawberry jelly, I caved and got a few other bits as well.

More Steadfast (shown on the website as Royal Marines, but will be rapidly changing to 24th):

And a few more that may be familiar: