searching for a paint!

[Guest]

Hi all, new here, but im lost as to where to find an answer for this. I am a games workshop modeller, and also a gamer. obviously, mixing modelling and gaming can be quite fun!

I have a nintendo DS that has a new white shell on it, and i would like to paint the sunken part of the buttons to match, i.e there are letters sunk into each key, such as A,B,X,Y. I hve the technique for getting a perfect finish, but i have a problem.

Obviously, the paint takes quite a bit of phisical wear, aswell as heat. the paint i have tryed is the games workshop modelling paints, and it lasts around a month before flaking off.

What im searching for its a really hardwearing paint that will stick to the plastic. anyone know of any paint up to the job?

[Guest]

Hi and a very warm welcome to the Scale Models Forum. I don't think we have spoken a great deal about games workshop type modelling but all areas of modelling are equally welcome.

As for the paint, Enamel such as Humbrol is one of the hardest finishes available but car touch up paints are cellulose and a good bit harder. The trouble there is that the paint could affect the plastic buttons so you would have to test first.

If it was me I would paint first with a Humbrol enamel and then, when it has really set after a couple of days, I would put a top coat of gloss polyeurathane varnish over it such as a Yacht Varnish, which is probably one of the toughest going. Probably cost about a tenner from B&Q but it will last a long time!!

[wonwinglo]

The hardest paint on the market is Hammerite Smooth,remember the old crackle finishes produced by Hammerite ? well this is a smoothie more manageable version that has now been out for some years.

The best way to apply it if you have an indented surface is to apply the indent with a small brush,then with a cotton wool swab dipped carefully in thinners just wipe off the excess leaving the surface flush.

Another solution would be to use encaustic craft resin,this is wax based and is hard wearing,you can buy it in sticks in art shops in any colour.

The old adage of try a small portion first applies,experiment with these materials and I am sure you will have success.