Humbrol Paints

Humbrol Enamel Paints – A Classic in Scale Modeling

Humbrol oil-based (enamel) paints are among the most popular and highly regarded paints in the world of scale modeling. These are fast-drying, solvent-based paints that have been the standard for painting plastic models like aircraft, military vehicles, ships, and figurines for years. Their unique formula ensures excellent coverage and a smooth, durable finish. Our range includes a full spectrum of colors, featuring gloss, matt, semi-matt (satin), and metallic finishes. Specialized clear coats are also available to provide additional protection for the painted surface and achieve the desired level of sheen. Humbrol paints are a trusted choice for both beginners and experienced modelers who value reliability and authentic replication of historical colors.

Application and Painting Techniques

Humbrol paints are primarily intended for painting plastic models, but they can also be successfully used on many other surfaces. They adhere perfectly to wood and wood-based materials, glass, ceramics, and plaster. The standard 14ml tinlet is highly efficient, providing coverage for an area of approximately 0.3 m². The paints have a consistency perfectly suited for brush painting directly from the tin. For airbrushing, the paint should be thinned with the dedicated Humbrol Enamel Thinner. This same thinner is also essential for cleaning tools—brushes and airbrushes—after use.

Tips and Drying Time

Before use, the paint must be stirred thoroughly to ensure the pigment is evenly distributed in the binder. The drying time for Humbrol paints varies depending on the finish. Gloss and metallic colors are touch-dry in about 1-2 hours (fully cured in 10 days), while matt and satin colors dry faster, within 20-40 minutes (fully cured in 24 hours). Allowing for a suitable drying time between coats is crucial for achieving the best results.

Humbrol acrylic paints are a popular choice among modelers of all skill levels, and are especially recommended for those just starting out with model painting. These are water-based paints, meaning their primary solvent is water. This makes them safer to use, with a significantly less intense odor compared to enamel paints, and easier to clean – brushes and tools can simply be washed under running water immediately after finishing work. These paints offer a wide palette of colors, including historical and contemporary shades, allowing for precise replication of paint schemes for airplanes, military vehicles, cars, or figures. They are characterized by good coverage and create a durable, matte or satin finish once dry.

How to Paint with Humbrol Acrylic Paints?

Applying Humbrol acrylic paints is straightforward and does not require specialized equipment. Before use, the paint should be thoroughly mixed by shaking the container vigorously for several seconds. For brush painting, the paint can be used straight from the pot or slightly thinned with water or a dedicated Humbrol acrylic thinner to achieve a smoother surface and avoid brush marks. It is recommended to apply several thin coats instead of one thick one. When using an airbrush, the paint must be properly thinned, typically in a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio (paint:thinner), to achieve a milk-like consistency. These paints are touch-dry relatively quickly (about 15-30 minutes), allowing you to continue working on your model promptly.

Advantages and Practical Tips

The main advantages of Humbrol acrylic paints are primarily safety and ease of use. The absence of toxic fumes means they can be used at home without the need for intensive ventilation. They are versatile – suitable for both brush and airbrush application. To make the process even easier, consider using a wet palette, which slows down the paint's drying time. After fully curing (typically after 24 hours), the finish becomes fully durable. For additional protection of the painted surface and to achieve the desired finish (matte, satin, gloss), it is recommended to apply a clear varnish, also from the acrylic range.

Humbrol spray paints are an excellent solution for modelers who want to quickly and effectively paint larger surfaces on their models. Using a spray can allows for a smooth, uniform coat without any brush marks, which is especially important when painting car bodies, aircraft wings, or tank armor. It's a significant time-saver and guarantees a professional finish. In this category, you will find a wide selection of Humbrol acrylic paint colors in cans, ready to use right after shaking.

How to Use Humbrol Spray Paints?

Applying spray paint is simple, but it requires following a few rules. First and foremost, the surface to be painted must be well-prepared—it should be clean, dry, and degreased. Before use, shake the can vigorously for about a minute to ensure the pigment is thoroughly mixed with the solvent. Apply the paint from a distance of about 20-30 cm, using smooth, parallel strokes. It is much better to apply several thin coats than one thick layer, which could obscure the model's details. Remember to paint in a well-ventilated area.

What Are Modeling Sprays Used For?

Humbrol modeling sprays have a wide range of applications. They are perfect as a primer to prepare the model for further painting, as well as a base coat or a final color. They are available in various finishes—matte, satin, and gloss—allowing you to achieve the desired effect. A major advantage is the color palette's consistency with other Humbrol paint series, which simplifies the selection of appropriate shades and ensures color uniformity across the entire project.

What Are Humbrol Weathering Pigments?

Pigments are fine, dry powders used to create realistic effects on scale models. In scale modeling, they are used to simulate dirt, signs of wear and tear, and weather phenomena—a process known in the industry as "weathering." If you want your tank to look like it has just returned from the training grounds, your aircraft to bear the marks of combat, or your diorama to feature a muddy road, pigments are the perfect tool for the job. Unlike paints, they allow you to achieve a matte, powdery, and textured finish that perfectly imitates dust, mud, rust, soot, or ash. Humbrol pigments are a range of high-quality products that enable you to achieve professional results in a simple and intuitive way, making them an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced modelers.

The application of pigments is versatile and depends on the desired effect. The simplest method is dry application—simply pick up a small amount of powder with a brush and rub it onto the chosen surface of the model. This way, you can achieve subtle effects of dust, faded paint, or soot around a gun barrel or exhaust pipes. To create the effect of wet mud or thick, dried-on grime, pigments can be mixed with dedicated binders (fixers, such as Humbrol Pigment Fixer), water, or thinners. The resulting paste is applied with a brush or a spatula to create three-dimensional textures. Regardless of the method, it is recommended to seal the applied pigment with a special fixative or a matte clear varnish to prevent it from rubbing off when the model is handled.

What Can You Use Pigments For? Practical Applications

The possibilities for using pigments are virtually limitless. Using shades of brown and beige, you can create realistic mud on the tracks and wheels of military vehicles. Rust-colored pigments (orange, red, and dark brown) are perfect for simulating corrosion on metal parts, such as exhaust pipes, damaged armor, or tools. Black and gray pigments will help you achieve soot and smoke stain effects on engines, smokestacks, or muzzle brakes. Meanwhile, light, sandy shades are excellent for simulating the dust and dirt that settles on vehicles operating in desert conditions. It's also worth experimenting by mixing different colors together to create a unique shade that perfectly matches a specific model and scenario. Thanks to Humbrol pigments, any model can gain realism and look like a miniature version of the real thing.

Wash paints are an essential tool for any scale modeler aiming to add realism and depth to their projects. These are specially formulated, highly diluted paints designed primarily to accentuate details, panel lines, and rivets, as well as to create shading effects. Due to their thin consistency, washes flow easily into the finest recesses and crevices of a model, settling there as the solvent evaporates. This process makes previously subtle details pop, giving them a distinct, three-dimensional appearance. Washes are a cornerstone of weathering—the art of aging a model and replicating the effects of wear and tear.

Humbrol Washes – Enamel Precision and Control

This category contains Humbrol's enamel washes, prized by modelers for their quality and user-friendliness. Being enamel-based, they feature a longer drying time than acrylic washes, giving you more control to precisely apply the product and wipe away any excess. The application process is straightforward: apply the wash over your model's surface (ideally sealed with a gloss coat), wait for several minutes, and then remove the excess from raised areas using a brush, cotton swab, or cloth lightly dampened with a dedicated thinner. The remaining pigment in the recesses creates natural-looking shadows and dirt effects.

Humbrol washes come in a broad spectrum of colors, enabling a diverse range of effects—from dark, nearly black oil and grease stains on machinery, to various shades of brown for simulating dust and mud, to rust and streaking effects. They are indispensable for highlighting panel lines on aircraft models, creating grime and wear on armored vehicles, and shading the folds of clothing and equipment on figures. Using a wash is a simple yet powerful way to dramatically improve the visual quality of any scale model.