"Acrylic" Paint

[JoeS]

My grandfather used to make lots of noice toys out of wood and finish them with "acrylic" based paint - sadly he is no longer with us.

Where does one buy good quality "acrylic" paints for small hobby wood working projects? I want to add a red stripe across a shield I've made a sprog - but can't find any information.

I'm also interested in what kind of primer I should use?

 

[Bingy man]

Not really my thing but several years back I helped my son make a Roman shield and sword for a school project . Had no idea tbh and I paid no attention many years ago during art lessons so I ended up at hobby craft . Bit pricey but got loads of advice .

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

Daler-Rowney System3 acrylic paints are excellent and can be bought in small tubes up to big tubs from your local art supplies.

https://www.daler-rowney.com/system3-acrylic-paint/

 

[kinverkid]

I use MOTIP primer for most large surfaces and Valleho airbrush primer for smaller surfaces. I'm not saying they are the best but they are quick, convenient (for me) and quick drying. I don't know of an acrylic paint that you can't use over them not to say there isn't one. The Daley-Rowney suggestion is a good and cheap one but if you are buying into the MOTIP primer you could order a can of red (which is close to a true 'red') at the same time and maybe a can of their clear lacquer to finish it off.

Forgive me now if I'm repeating stuff you already know. It's essential to shake rattle cans for around two minutes. I use a 3D-printed cup attached to a drill to speed this up. Ensure the paints are at a warm room temperature and used in a warm room temperature. Spray several light layers. It's fast drying so you can put down several layers over a few hours. To be safe, lay down the clear lacquer layers the following day. This may be a little OTT. Patience, mask and ventilation are vital.

 

[RobNichols]

Acrylics are the favourite paint for plastic model makers. When I was a lad we all used humbrol enamels, but things have moved on since then.

So model and hobby shops are a good source of good quality acrylic paints. For example:

https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/paints/

However, for a lot of woodworking projects you might not need that sort of quality. In which case I'd recommend a trip to your local The Works store. You can get sets of acrylic paints there cheaply. Also they tend to be primary colours instead of the camouflage colours favoured by model makers.

Also nowadays modellers primarily apply paint via an airbrush and their paints are tailored for that system. If you're applying the paint by brush, the cheap arts type paints from places like The Works are more typically applied by that method and therefore may be just what you need.

 

[RobNichols]

I use MOTIP primer for most large surfaces and Valleho airbrush primer for smaller surfaces. I'm not saying they are the best but they are quick, convenient (for me) and quick drying.

Vallejo (with a J) are excellent. My favourite acrylics if you go the airbrush route.

 

[Hugh M.]

I knocked a few simple jigsaw patterns up on my scroll saw. The idea being to sell them to help fund our repair café.
I was surprised at the amount of things you need to worry about. My stuff was very much aimed at smaller children. From what I could tell en71-3 was what I needed.
Amazing any of us survived childhood!

 

[kinverkid]

Vallejo (with a J) are excellent. My favourite acrylics if you go the airbrush route.

With a J of course. Silly me spelled it as its pronounced.

 

[RobNichols]

With a J of course. Silly me spelled it as its pronounced.

Easily done

 

[JoeS]

Brilliant stuff as always gents - thanks so much.