Tutorial: How to Paint a Gray Resin Scale Model
Guido Mandorf is a German designer that makes wonderful scale models of trams. He designs them in SketchUp, mostly prints them in Gray Resin and always finishes them with a beautiful paint job. If you ever wondered how he gets such nice results, Guido was so kind to describe his workflow and the tools and paints he uses in an illustrated tutorial.
Guido: “Clean the model from small edges with the help of files and a brush.
Click on the image to resize
Optionally, you can use a fiberglass eraser to smooth the surface. A fiberglass eraser is a toy to remove small corrosion on PCB layouts before soldering. This tool is actually great as a very gently file that doesn´t destroy any details on the model. You can abrase only a little bit material from the model, so it needs a long time to smoothen the surface.
Click on the image to resize
On the right side, I used the fiberglass eraser to smooth the surface. You can compare it with the unhandled left side.
Click on the image to resize
For a good paint job, it’s necessary to prime the model first. I suggest using a spray putty as a primer, because it also smooths the surface. This way, the visible level structure of the print process decreases.
Click on the image to resize
After the primer, you can use the fiberglass eraser and the files to smooth to surface again. With the fiberglass eraser it’s not possible to destroy the model, so you can use it as long as you want to smooth the surface.
Click on the image to resize
For the painting of the body, I suggest using a spray can or an airbrush. I´ve painted the model from this tutorial with the help of a spray can in the color RAL 1014 ivory. Please ensure that the primer is compatible to the color. I suggest using enamel or water based colors.
Click on the image to resize
I paint parts like the interior, the cover of the wheels and the roof with a normal brush using Revell Aqua Colors.
Click on the image to resize
Now the painting of the model is finished and you can apply decals on it and complete it with windows, wheels and a panto.”
Do you want to print a model in Gray Resin as well? Upload your 3D model, select Gray Resin and turn your idea into reality.
