6 replies to this topic

[JonGarrett]

Alright, so I'm relatively new to this whole 'modify nerf' thing. At the moment the best I can do is some simple re-paints, which is going...OK. I know to wash, sand, basecoat and some tricks for painting it using Vallejo Model Air paints, which I'm mostly satisfied with.

My main problem has been the varnish. The ones I've been using don't seem to work all that well for nerf guns, and don't seem designed to take that kind of ware and tear. Can someone suggest a good varnish that I can easily get in the UK?

I'm also interested in making nerf bullets with a more metallic colour, so when my bronze and wood painted gun fires little blue and red things don't come flying out (they're especially jarring in the Barricade, where you can see the bullets) and would love somewhere I can buy the foam to make bullets in some kind of metal. Again I'd prefer the UK, but I can live with buying those in from the states, since I'll likely buy in bulk.

Cheers for the help.

[Keola88]

Alright, so I'm relatively new to this whole 'modify nerf' thing. At the moment the best I can do is some simple re-paints, which is going...OK. I know to wash, sand, basecoat and some tricks for painting it using Vallejo Model Air paints, which I'm mostly satisfied with.

My main problem has been the varnish. The ones I've been using don't seem to work all that well for nerf guns, and don't seem designed to take that kind of ware and tear. Can someone suggest a good varnish that I can easily get in the UK?

I'm also interested in making nerf bullets with a more metallic colour, so when my bronze and wood painted gun fires little blue and red things don't come flying out (they're especially jarring in the Barricade, where you can see the bullets) and would love somewhere I can buy the foam to make bullets in some kind of metal. Again I'd prefer the UK, but I can live with buying those in from the states, since I'll likely buy in bulk.

Cheers for the help.

Not sure how accessible this is to your location, but as far as painting goes I always make sure to buy Duplicolor paints. You don't need to sand when you use it. And don't need to clearcoat unless you use another paint that needs clearcoat. And for clearcoat I like to use Krylon matte finish, which for light objects like 18 mags take six-foot high drops to rough concrete pretty well.

[JonGarrett]

Thanks for the reply. Duplicolor looks potentially interesting, but lacks some of the colours I typically use. The Krylon clearcoat, however, seems simple enough to find over here and looks pretty solid. That should be helpful. Thanks.

[kevne]

The only clear coat I use is 'Plastikote' clear matt acrylic but you can also get satin and gloss finish. You can get it in Hobby Craft, B&Q, Wilcos... pretty much anywhere to be honest. It goes relatively far and gives a really tough finish. It is also really forgiving if you accidentally put too much on. It doesn't run badly so you won't end up in a drippy mess. 'Krylon' and 'Rustolium' also do some very good acrylic clear coats but they tend to be a lot more expensive and can be tricky to find.

I find that your primer layer is more important than a clear coat for preserving your paintwork. Getting the primer right aids adhesion of the other paint

There are a few guides over on the Britnerf forum if you want to look in to more of the paints and modding materials available in the UK. Like everything, it's finding a combination of paints that work best for you so I can only give advice based on my own experience.

Edited by kevne, 06 May 2014 - 06:21 PM.

[T3kn0Hazard]

Duplicolor also makes Vinyl and fabric dye spray paint. Most of us have used this because it is meant for surfaces that may move. It bonds with the plastic instead of making a layer. It is used the same as a spray paint and dries faster. The only downside is its color ranges are minimum, but they are good as bases or used with almost any other plastic spray paint or dulpicolor paint. These are all found at a local Automotive place easily.

[prophetofmtnDEW]

I bought a Rustoleum gloss clearcoat for only $7.29 here in Canadaland. I don't think it's that expensive.

[The2ndBluesBro]

I believe that Best Materials in the USA sells beige foam. You could use black colored hot glue and make black and brown Stefans.