| You love to assemble model cars. It has become | | | | strokes such as feathering can seem almost |
| a favored pastime. You have even decided to | | | | impossible to those who do not have the skill. An |
| display your completed cars where everyone can | | | | upside to hand painting however is the easy at |
| enjoy them. You are just having one issue. You | | | | which you can paint small parts without having to |
| cannot decide whether you should show your | | | | worry about spreading the paint around where |
| hand painted cars or your airbrushed ones. While | | | | you don't want it. |
| one set has a lot of love and dedication in it the | | | | Airbrushing is the new kid on the block relatively |
| other showcases your skill and technique. So how | | | | speaking. Home airbrush kits have only been |
| do you know which is better, airbrushed or hand | | | | available for a short time considering the age of |
| painted? Much of your answer will depend on | | | | the model car building hobby itself. At first the kits |
| exactly who you ask. Some expert modelers will | | | | were extremely expensive and had to be special |
| tell you that hand painting is the hardest technique | | | | ordered. Paints were difficult to work with and as |
| to master while others will say the same thing | | | | the methods of using airbrushing was relatively |
| about airbrushing. The best way to decide is to | | | | unknown there was a very steep learning curve. |
| look at the pros and the cons to both and decide | | | | Modelers soon began picking up the pace |
| for yourself. | | | | however when they figured out the upsides to |
| People have been hand painting model cars for | | | | airbrushing. |
| many long years. As the only method of adding | | | | One of these is the reduced drying time. When |
| color to their otherwise monochromatic models | | | | you airbrush your model car now it takes very |
| hand painting was the only choice that was | | | | little time to dry due to the small amount of paint |
| available for most. Airbrushing was something that | | | | that you are able to put down. This allows model |
| only body shop owners had the means to | | | | builders to add layer after layer both quickly and |
| accomplish. Home airbrush kits were not made | | | | efficiently. An airbrush is also very consistent with |
| available for some time. So, they learned to do | | | | the amount of paint you are applying. The amount |
| with what they had. From a bland beginning hand | | | | of control you have over your techniques is very |
| painted models soon became very beautiful | | | | handy as well. You can feather like a pro once |
| works of art. With experience came better | | | | you practice a bit and you can add most any |
| techniques and greater detail. Those who have | | | | detail you want. |
| been painting their model cars for some time now | | | | Whether to airbrush or hand paint model cars is |
| can apply a paint job that will easily rival any that | | | | something that will continue to be debated as |
| would be available commercially for a full size car. | | | | time goes on. Many people will choose sides just |
| One drawback to hand painting is the time it | | | | as many people will defect from one camp to the |
| takes. You must apply a bit of paint and wait for | | | | other. As to which method is right for you is |
| what seems like forever. Slowly building layer | | | | something you will have to find out for yourself. |
| upon layer could take quite a bit of time. Some | | | | |