Aerosol Sprays
Humbrol aerosols cover three jobs from one format: colour sprays for painting without a brush, varnish sprays to seal finished work, and Metalcote sprays for a metallic finish you polish. All are 150ml aerosols, sprayed from at least 25cm in two thin coats, with the first coat hard-dry before the second.
Colour, varnish or Metalcote spray
Acrylic colour sprays lay down the base colour, a solvent-based acrylic developed for plastic kits and resin models. The varnish sprays seal paintwork already on the model, chosen by the paint beneath them: acrylic varnish for acrylic work, enamel varnish for enamel. Metalcote sprays dry to a metallic finish that polishes up with a soft cloth.
How to spray a model kit
Hold the aerosol at least 25cm from the surface and keep it moving in an even back and forth motion. Keep to two thin coats, waiting until the first is hard-dry, 1 to 2 hours, before the second. A coat of primer first gives the colour a better grip. Spray outdoors or in a well-ventilated space, as with any solvent-based paint.
Removing model spray paint
A mistake is recoverable while the paint has not fully dried: it can be removed with Enamel Thinners. Once fully dry, the paint is permanent, so check coverage between coats rather than after the final one. For fine detail alongside sprayed areas, the brush-on Acrylic and Enamel ranges in the main Paint range carry the colour on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far away should I spray a model?
At least 25cm from the surface, keeping the aerosol moving the whole pass. Distance and movement are what stop runs and pooling on small parts. Build coverage in two thin coats rather than one heavy one, and let the first coat hard-dry before the second goes on.
Can I remove Humbrol spray paint if I make a mistake?
Yes, if you catch it before the paint fully dries: Enamel Thinners will lift it. Once fully dry the paint is permanent, and the fix will entail sanding back and repainting. Check each coat as it goes on in good light, so you deal with any run or missed patch while removal is still simple.
Is Humbrol spray paint acrylic or enamel?
Neither in the usual brush-on sense: it is a solvent-based acrylic. It dries fast like an acrylic but comes off with Enamel Thinners, not water. Touch-dry takes 15 to 30 minutes and hard-dry 1 to 2 hours. That chemistry is why water clean-up advice for brush-on acrylics does not apply to the aerosols.