Why Revell Aqua Color is the ideal choice for your model building project
If you are looking for colors in model making that give you maximum flexibility, excellent coverage and health-friendly work, the Revell Aqua Color series is just the thing for you. These advanced water-based acrylic paints have revolutionized kit painting. They combine the uncomplicated handling of modern watercolors with the robustness and abrasion resistance that you expect from professional model building paints.
A key advantage of Aqua Color is its environmental and user-friendliness. Since the colors are almost odorless and do not contain any aggressive solvents, you can easily use them at your desk at home or in the craft room without causing annoying smells in your living area. This makes them the perfect choice for intensive crafting sessions at any time of year - even with the windows closed in winter.
In addition, the colors are characterized by their exceptional drying speed. After about two to three hours, the paint is completely dry and ready for the next layer of paint or the application of decals (water slide pictures). This saves you valuable waiting time and enables rapid construction progress without compromising on surface quality.
The most important advantages of Aqua Color at a glance:
- Water-based formula: Can be stretched with pure water or special Aqua Color Mix.
- Low odor & solvent-free: Ideal for relaxed indoor work.
- Very short drying time: Can be painted over after approx. 2 to 3 hours.
- High coverage: Even color after just a few brush strokes or spray coats.
- Extremely versatile: Can be used on plastics, wood, cardboard and many metallic surfaces.
- Miscibility: All tones in the series can be combined with each other as desired to create individual color nuances.
Brush processing and painting techniques: This is how you achieve the perfect finish
Handling Aqua Color with a brush is extremely beginner-friendly and also provides excellent results for experienced model makers. The consistency in the practical 18 ml cans is set at the factory so that you can work directly from the can on smaller details. However, for large-area painting, we recommend that you mix the paint lightly with water or thinner on a palette.
By diluting it correctly, you can prevent unsightly brush strokes and achieve a silky-smooth, homogeneous surface. Acrylic paints tend to form a fine film when dry, which levels itself. If you apply the paint in two to three thin layers instead of one thick layer, you will receive a flawless color image that does not obscure even the finest engravings and details on your model's components.
Tips for brush cleaning and care
A big advantage of the water base is the easy cleaning of your tools. As long as the Aqua Color paint is still wet, you can easily wash your brushes under running hot water. If paint residue has already dried on, a special cleaner such as Aqua Color Clean will help you get completely clean bristles again without damaging the brush hair.
Airbrush with Aqua Color: Mixing ratios and professional application
Would you like to provide your models with flowing color gradients, realistic signs of aging (weathering) or an absolutely flawless large-area paint job? Then spraying the Aqua Color colors with an airbrush gun is the optimal method. Although these are acrylic paints, the pigments behave exemplary in the spray gun as long as the mixing ratio is correct.
For the perfect airbrush result, a mixing ratio of around 20 to 25 percent thinner (e.g. Revell Aqua Color Mix) to 75 to 80 percent color has proven to be effective. The special thinner not only ensures the correct viscosity, but also delays the paint drying on the nozzle tip (needle drying). This means the spray jet remains constant and delicate.
For spraying Aqua Color, we recommend a nozzle size of 0.3 mm or more and a working pressure of between 1.5 and 2.0 bar. If you want to spray the finest freehand camouflage patterns, you can dilute the paint a little more and lower the pressure slightly.
Preparation and Priming: The Key to Permanent Adhesion
The best model building paint can only develop its full effect if the surface is optimally prepared. Due to the manufacturing process, plastic molded parts often still have fine residues of mold release agents. Before applying the first coat, clean the components in a lukewarm water solution with a little mild detergent and allow them to air dry completely.
To ensure maximum adhesion to the smooth plastic, a high-quality primer is advisable. A matt primer creates a fine microstructure on which the pigments of the Aqua Color colors anchor perfectly. This will prevent paint bursts from occurring when masking tape is applied later.
The interaction with other Revell color systems
In our range you will find the right color system for every requirement. While Aqua Color impresses with its quick drying and odorlessness, model makers also like to use the classic ones for special applications such as extremely stressed parts or very traditional painting techniques Enamel Color Colors based on synthetic resin. These impress with their particularly hard final surface.
On the other hand, when it comes to covering large hull surfaces, ship hulls or entire vehicle bodies particularly quickly and evenly, acrylic spray cans like these are ideal Spray Color spray paints ideal with the Aqua Color detail colors. You can easily combine different color systems once the bottom layer is completely dry.
Perfect finish and protection with clear coats
After you have primed, painted and applied decals to your model, sealing is the culmination of your project. A transparent coating protects the sensitive decals from fading and ensures a uniform level of gloss across the entire model.
Depending on the construction project you are implementing, different clear coat finishes are available. For racing cars, civilian vehicles or shiny helicopters, a high-gloss paint like Aqua Color Clear Gloss 18Ml RAL the perfect choice. It gives the body a deep mirror surface. If, on the other hand, you are building military vehicles, figures or historical aircraft, an absolutely matt clear coat is ideal Aqua Color Clear Matt 18Ml essential for creating realistic-looking, non-reflective surfaces.
Color sets and special shades to get you started
Especially when you start with a new kit or take up a specific topic such as military vehicles, civil aviation or shipping, we offer you coordinated ones Color sets an excellent compilation. These sets already contain all the basic colors you need for successful assembly.
In addition, we offer you a huge selection of shades and special colors in the Aqua Color Palette. From realistic aging tones such as hull brown, rusted iron or soot black to special nuances such as tar black for tires and chassis, the selection covers all wishes. Create photorealistic models that are guaranteed to attract attention on the shelf or on the diorma!