Why the right model building brush determines your success
In plastic model making, precision and care are the be-all and end-all. Standard artist's brushes from the stationery store quickly reach their limits here. Specially developed model making brushes are characterized by exceptional shape retention, finely tuned hair structures and ergonomic handles. They give you precise control over the paint application - regardless of whether you are using liquid acrylic paints or classic enamel varnishes.
A good model building brush absorbs the paint optimally and releases it evenly onto the surface of the model. This will prevent unsightly brush strokes, bubbles or unwanted blobs of paint. Choosing the right tools ultimately determines whether a model simply looks assembled or whether it looks like a realistic miniature masterpiece.
The different types of brushes in plastic model making and their areas of application
Every painting technique requires a suitable tool. In our range you will find the perfect designs for every construction phase and every detail:
Round brushes – the versatile all-rounders for details and lines
Round brushes are part of the basic equipment of every model maker. With their finely tapered tip, they are ideal for precise detailed work, such as painting figures, dashboards or small add-on parts. Very fine sizes (e.g. 000 to 5/0) enable you to do extremely delicate work such as drawing the finest lines or camouflage patterns.
Flat brush – even application of paint for larger areas
If you want to prime or paint larger areas such as airplane wings, ship hulls or tank structures without streaking, flat brushes are the first choice. Thanks to its wide, straight edge, the paint can be distributed with even pressure, resulting in a velvety and homogeneous surface appearance.
Dry painting brush (Drybrush) – Perfect aging and accentuation
Dry painting is one of the most popular techniques for highlighting edges, emphasizing texture, and depicting realistic wear and tear. Specialized drybrush brushes usually have short, relatively firm bristles. They only absorb a small amount of pigment and allow you to specifically create traces of dust, rust or wear.
Real hair or synthetic? Choose the appropriate bristle material
When buying model making brushes, you often have to choose between natural hair and synthetic fibers. Both variants have their specific strengths:
- Red sable hair (Kolinsky): These precious hairs offer unsurpassed elasticity, sensitivity and color absorption capacity. They form a perfect tip even when wet and are ideal for highly-detailed work with watery paints.
- Synthetic fibers (artificial hair): Modern synthetic brushes are hardly inferior to real hair. They are particularly durable, dimensionally stable and resistant to aggressive solvents. Especially when using enamel colors, they offer a long service life.
Brush technique and subtleties in interaction with other methods
Many experienced model makers combine brushing with modern spraying techniques. While large areas are often used Airbrush are primed, the brush remains indispensable for the fine nuances. After applying the paint with a spray gun, it is only the final finishing with the brush that creates the individual character.
Matching Airbrush accessories Perfectly complements your workshop, but the brush is irreplaceable for fine signs of aging, weathering washes or highlighting weld seams on tank models. For example, if you have a highly detailed military vehicle like the Howitzer 2000 or the historical one Sturmpanzer 38 T Grille Ausf M It is the combination of injection molding and the targeted use of brushes that gives the model its authentic depth effect.
Brush care: This will keep your tools looking new for a long time
To ensure that your model making brushes retain their shape and flexibility even after numerous projects, proper care after each use is crucial:
- Clean immediately: Never let the paint dry on the brush. Clean it immediately after use with a suitable brush cleaner or warm soapy water.
- Wash gently: Gently squeeze the hair from the ferrule to the tip. Avoid pressing the brush firmly into the bottom of the cleaning jar as this can permanently damage the tip.
- Shape tip: After cleaning, use your fingers to push the damp brush hairs back into their original shape.
- Dry lying or hanging: Never store brushes standing on their bristles. It is best to dry them horizontally or upside down in a brush holder.