project: Honda RA272 #2

Once the first batch of primed engine parts dried, I started the painting process.  The engine parts in this kit generally are not complex, with only 1 to 2 colors required per part.  A few are a bit more difficult requiring about 4 colors for a more realistic appearance.

For these pieces, I used Tamiya acrylics, a no. 2 flat brush, a no. 0 flat brush, and a ultra fine pointed brush.  In combination with Tamiya TS spray lacquers, these are the only 3 brushes I've needed to tackle pretty much any hand painting requirements in this particular kit.  Any high finish /  high quality gold taklon brush would do the job.  I currently use Tamiya and Royal & Langnickel brushes with good results.

You can be as creative as you like with your color selection, but it is always a good idea to do a little research if you are trying to build an accurate scale model.  Tamiya does a nice job recommending colors to complete a kit on their website and also downloadable instruction manuals.  This can get expensive as each acrylic bottle of paint ranges from about $2.30 - $3.10.  Tamiya TS lacquer paints run about $6.50 per 100ml can.  If you are not looking for exact replication, you can save some bucks by reducing the amount of colors you are going to use.  For example different shades of silver / grey can be trimmed down to 3 bottles (flat aluminum XF-16, chrome silver XF-11, & dark grey XF-24 vs. the 5 total shades called out in the instructions).  If a completely color accurate model isn't your #1 priority, use some creative license, it's part of the fun!

With a bit of patience and a little attention to detail (semi gloss paint for each bolt in this case) the engine block was completed.  Below the colors used were: Tamiya XF-16, XF-18, X-33, & X-12

A word of caution on glue.  If you use a plastic welder like Ambroid Pro Weld, avoid painting the surfaces to be glued together.  It makes a proper mess once the Ambroid is applied.  The paint starts breaking down into a goo resulting in poor adhesion.