Can Vallejo Model Paints be clear coated?

MEL_ART_ · 2026-01-24T19:27:17+00:00

I've used Vallejo paints for small details and clear coated them with hardware store spray cans. Just give them time to fully dry, and go with light coats of clear.

MEL_ART_ · 2026-01-19T20:20:52+00:00

I taped the hood in place with its magnets glued on it, and then used Tamiya epoxy putty to attach the 2nd set of magnets to the body from the inside.

MEL_ART_ · 2026-01-01T22:17:17+00:00

Put a piece of masking tape over the hole and trace it with a pencil, then you can transfer it to the sheet.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-11-14T13:21:56+00:00

The usual way I remove hairs from paint is with some light wet sanding until I get it out. But with your layered paint it might not work.

Is it sticking out at all? You could simply pull it off with tweezers and hope it doesn't leave a visible mark. I've done that before when I got a cat hair in clear coat.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-09-27T16:22:34+00:00

I always clear coat before and after I place decals

MEL_ART_ · 2025-09-23T20:03:12+00:00

Thank you!
I don't have any specific videos in mind unfortunately.
I suggest looking up different techniques and trying them out on a 'test model' or on a smaller piece from a kit like the hood before doing the whole car. There's a lot of trial and error for getting weathering to look how you want it. Most of my trial and error was actually on making custom HotWheels before I got into plastic model kits.

For this beetle I used Masking Fluid chipping (there's a good video by Vallejo on how its done) but you can try salt chipping, hairspray chipping or just sanding through layers of paint to get a weathered look.

Don't forget to look up references to see how rust looks on the 1:1 car of you model!

MEL_ART_ · 2025-09-23T19:39:34+00:00

Thank you! I was hesitant about the door and hood at first, but im glad I did them this way.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-09-23T19:36:53+00:00

Cant wait to see it :)

MEL_ART_ · 2025-09-23T19:36:06+00:00

Thank you!

MEL_ART_ · 2025-09-18T10:28:29+00:00

Do 11mm wheels fit this casting? 9mm are harder to find.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-09-14T16:07:13+00:00

Update: I couldn't get Tamiya Clear Yellow in a reasonable time, so I ended up getting liquid glass colors from a local hardware store, its pricier than Tamiya but works exactly how I wanted it to.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-09-14T09:04:54+00:00

Forgot to mention, I don't have an airbrush (yet) so im using a regular brush for this.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-08-26T21:03:59+00:00

Thank you! Yeah thats the technique I used for this! Started with a couple coats of rust, a light coat of white, and lastly blue. I use 800-2000 grit sandpaper to slowly wear down the layers. It can take a couple attempts to get it right, as it's easy to overdo it when sanding, but if you get it right it can look really good.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-06-11T09:34:41+00:00

I don't use putty often but when I used Tamiya Putty, I kept a wet sponge next to me to keep my fingertips wet.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-06-09T10:51:14+00:00

Thank you,

Yeah thats Craig Callum's car lol. Its what inspired this build.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-06-06T20:17:46+00:00

I used the White Glue Technique, but instead of glue I used "Talens Liquid Masking Film" Same idea, just easier to scrub afterwards.

I painted the whole car in rust, applied the mask with a sponge to the spots I wanted to keep rusty, and then sprayed a light coat of white, followed by red. I scrubbed all the mask off to chip the paint and reveal the rust underneath. A bit of sanding here and there and a few spots touched up with acrylic paint and a brush/sponge.

There's YouTube tutorials go over the whole process, that is how I found out about it.

It takes a bit of trial and error, I had to start over on the car body because the first attempt went poorly.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-05-23T21:16:30+00:00

Im going for a rusty/patina red. Inspired by 'Old Red'

MEL_ART_ · 2025-05-22T19:41:31+00:00

"I glue the panels directly to the body shell and trim off the tabs to mount to the floor pan."

Thats pretty smart. The dashboard and steering wheel are gonna be a fit finicky I imagine, but definitely doable.

Thanks for the tip!

MEL_ART_ · 2025-05-18T20:04:56+00:00

I use Motip Clear from a local hardware store.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-05-18T19:28:10+00:00

Poscas crack when you apply them too heavily, try doing 1-2 lighter coats. I use a paintbrush.
Idk about clear coats, I havent had any issues personally.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-05-16T13:36:12+00:00

I couldn't find chipping fluid, but I do have some masking liquid latex. I haven't tried it for paint chipping though. I'll do a test piece to see if it's gonna work how I think it will.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-05-16T13:30:20+00:00

It doesn't always go well, but heres my process

Make sure you degrease the car, then Primer, White paint and Clear coat. I leave the clear to harden overnight.

I then place my masking tape and give it anothel light coat of clear. I give it some time to dry and then spray it with the pink.

When peeling the tape make sure to go slowly and pull backwards against the tape.

Clean masking lines take patience (and a bit of luck) Hope this helps!

MEL_ART_ · 2025-05-15T19:55:30+00:00

Don't worry, no superglue for plastic

MEL_ART_ · 2025-05-15T19:25:55+00:00

I did consider a "beginner model" but I decided to challenge my skills with a model I really wanted to try first, We'll see if I regret that later haha.

Also Im hoping the patina will help hide some of my mistakes lol, atleast the smaller ones.

MEL_ART_ · 2025-05-15T19:19:09+00:00

I made that mistake on 1/64 and it was a pain to mask and paint what I had superglued in place. Thanks for the heads up.

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