Acrylic Paint
Humbrol Acrylic is a water-based modelling paint, supplied in 14ml dropper bottles. It brushes from the palette or airbrushes thinned with water, and wet brushes rinse clean with water. Choose from Matt, Satin, Gloss and Metallic finishes.
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Why acrylic for plastic model kits?
Acrylic is the water-based side of the Humbrol Paint range. Most colours are hard-dry within 1 to 2 hours, so a second coat often goes on the same afternoon. Enamel, the solvent-based alternative, is resilient for outdoor use; acrylic re-coats sooner and cleans up without solvent.
Matt, Satin, Gloss and Metallic acrylic paint
Matt makes up most of the range, with Gloss, Satin and Metallic alongside. Once the colour coat is hard-dry, seal it with an Acrylic Varnish, made as an overcoat for Acrylic paint.
Thinning and application
Apply two thin coats instead of one thick one, and let the first reach hard-dry before recoating. Brush from the palette with standard paint brushes, or thin for an airbrush at 2 parts paint to 1 part water.
What goes under and over it
A first coat of primer improves adhesion and gives a smoother finish; let it hard-dry before the colour goes on. Once the base colour is hard-dry, Weathering Powders can be applied dry, or mixed with Acrylics and Washes for weathered, oiled and grime effects.
Cleaning up
Rinse brushes in water while the paint is still wet. Once it has dried on the bristles, water will not shift it and you will need cellulose thinners. Wash airbrush cups through promptly for the same reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some Humbrol Acrylic colours take longer to dry?
Most of the range is hard-dry in 1 to 2 hours. Some colours take 4 to 6 hours, so check the drying time on the product page before planning a second coat. Touch-dry is 20 to 40 minutes across the whole range, and thinning shortens both figures. Wait until the first coat is hard-dry before re-coating.
Do I need to thin Humbrol Acrylic for airbrushing?
Yes. Thin with water at 2 parts paint to 1 part water, or use Acrylic Thinners for improved drying time and adhesion. Thinned coats also dry faster, so the second coat goes on sooner. For brush painting, dispense onto a palette and use the paint as it comes.
What surfaces does Humbrol Acrylic paint cover?
Humbrol Acrylic is developed for plastic model kits and resin models. It also covers most plastics, wood, metal, glass, ceramics and cardboard, plus plaster and hardboard once sealed. Where a surface is unusual, try a small test area first to check suitability.
Can I paint straight from the dropper bottle?
Humbrol Acrylic comes in a 14ml dropper bottle, so squeeze a few drops onto a palette and brush from there. The dropper also makes the airbrush ratio easy to measure out, drop by drop. Add drops as you go rather than decanting more than you need.