Finishing Resources

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ESSENTIAL PAINTING TOOLS

1. An Airbrush - Meet my absolute favorite airbrush, the Grex GCK03 Tritium.TG.  With precision control and beautiful results, it revolutionized my airbrushing game. Pair it with a fan tip and it makes painting larger surfaces much easier!
2. Paint Brushes -  Your painting toolbox isn't complete without a high-quality set of brushes. These Tamiya brushes are a great starting point.  Having a selection of fine to larger brushes is extremely helpful!
3. Proper Tape -  Perfect edges and clean lines are within reach with the right tape. Frog Tape is great for larger areas as well as for masking on foam aircraft (I like to cut it into thin strips).  For final detail masking to get those perfect edges, I like to use a vinyl fine line tape.  Another great option is Tamiya tape.  If you're painting camouflage, this soft edge masking tape is great and even works when using spray cans!

PAINTS, PAINTS, PAINTS!

1. A Good Primer - Having the right foundation is essential and I've found this Dupli-Color Filler Primer works quite well for most projects.  Yes, it will work with EPO foam, but if you're painting a pre-painted stock EPO foam arf (most are EPO foam these days), you may not need primer as you can potentially paint directly on to the stock paint (always test it first though).
2. Spray Paints FTW! - Call me lazy, but I love using spray paints when I can, it's easy and effective with minimal cleanup!  My go to paints are the Tamiya Aircraft Spray colors.  They provide efficient coverage and come in a variety of wartime colors. Say to a smooth, flawless finish!
3. Airbrush Paints - Elevate your detailing game with the Mr Paint brand of acrylic lacquer paints.  Formulated for airbrush use only (no using brushes with these) they provide precision Federal Standard colors and more!  Looking to paint a Natural Metal finish?  Then the ALCLAD II paints are the easiest and best choice.  I recommend using their base aluminum colors (NOT the high-shine) as they are extremely easy to paint and robust to the touch.
4. Brush Paints - When brushwork calls, I like to leverage two options, Testors Enamel Paints and Tamiya Acrylic Paints.  Both offer control and versatility.  Note that opting for the acrylic option, a lacquer clear coat is necessary before applying an acrylic wash!
5. Weathering Washes - Unlock the art of weathering with my go-to Acrylic pigment color, FolkArt Raw Umber. Washes add depth and realism to your creations so experiment with it and other colors as well.  And if you’re not happy with it, clean it off with Tamiya Acrylic Thinner.  Watch as your models gain character and tell a story of their own.
6. Clear Coat - For most of my models, I have been leveraging the Rustoleum 2x Matte Clear as it's easy and provides a nice sheen and is usable for most power systems (except glow).  Also, it is "Non-Yellowing" so won't yellow over time from UV exposure. 
   

ADDITIONAL FINISHING TOOLS & MATERIALS

1. Palette Knife - A decent palette knife is a handy tool for mixing and applying filler or putty. It's flat, flexible blade allows for a nice and controlled application.
2. Light Weight Spackle - I've tried many through the years and my go to has been Sherwin-Williams Light Weight Spackle for quite some time  It is a versatile filler perfect for smoothing out imperfections on balsa and foam surfaces and can be sanded easily.  This is also ideal for foam aircraft repair when paired with Minwax Polycrylic WBPU to seal it.
3. Icing Auto Body Filler - Ideal for larger imperfections on hardened or fiberglassed surfaces, Icing Auto Body Filler is a durable and light weight filler that sands well.
4. Automotive Glazing Putty - For smaller imperfections on hardened surfaces, this Automotive Glazing Putty is my first choice. It ensures a smooth and even surface, ready for priming.  Note that this can be used on an EPO foam refinish, but only if it has undergone the full polycrylic sealing and primer/sand/primer process.  When doing so on a foam refinish, be careful not to generate too much heat while sanding.
5. Sand Paper - A crucial tool in the finishing process, sandpaper comes in various grits and is used for smoothing, shaping, and refining surfaces before painting.  My go to grits are 120-grit for coarse sanding, 180-grit for finish sanding while primering and 600-grit wet/dry for wet sanding before paint.
6. Scotch-Brite Pads - These abrasive pads are excellent for burnishing your completed finish to blend the various layers together before clear coat.   I generally stick to the ultra fine variety, but will occasionally go for the light/general purpose pads when needed.
7. Double Ended Scribing Tool - My go to tool for scribing panel line into primer or paint.  Keep it sharp for best success and it'll last for a lifetime!
8. Minwax Polycrylic - An essential water based polyurethane for sealing foam and fillers used in the foam aircraft refinish process.

EXTRAS FOR MAKING YOUR OWN MARKINGS

1. PrismCut P20 Vinyl Cutter - Precision at your fingertips!  I have been using this cutter since it was first released and it has been fantastic.  Achieve clean, exact cuts for custom decals and paint masks, elevating your model's look with professional-grade accuracy.
2. ORACAL ORAMASK Stencil Vinyl - Sharp lines, perfect patterns – this Vinyl Paint Mask Material ensures your paint job is flawless. Conformable and easy to peel, it pairs perfectly with the PrismCut P20. 
3. Printable Decal Paper - Your designs, vibrant and enduring – this Printable Decal Paper lets you print custom graphics right from your printer, ensuring your RC model stands out with personal flair.  My preference is to use laser printed markings as the markings print cleaner and the decal paper is far more robust, not requiring any type of clear coat to seal the markings before use.
4. EZ Screen Mask Starter Kit - Simplify intricate designs with this EZ Screen Mask Starter Kit. Using silkscreen technology, you can create your own fine detail paint masks and achieve consistent, professional results.  This is a game changer for small letter stenciling!