I paint all of my models with acrylic paints (various manufacturers), as I find them easier to use (and the lack of fumes makes life easier at home!).
Before starting, the model was washed in warm water and washing-up liquid, and allowed to dry naturally. I first spray-painted with a plastic primer called Makes Paint Stick, available from B&Q and sold as a primer for garden furniture. (Manufactured by Rowley - I also know that a similar product is available from Halfords, and used to prime plastic car-bumpers.)
The hull was painted with two or three coats of thinned acrylic paint:
- Hull and Superstructure
- Dark Flesh 019 from Vallejo Model Colour
- Lower Hull
- Stonewall Grey 49 from Vallejo Game Colour
The colour scheme was inspired by pictures of the American warship USS Maine (check out Google for more information).
Once dry, the second coat or first highlight (white added to both of the first coat colours) was added, leaving some of the initial colour scheme to show through in places.
The third coat or second highlight was again lightened with white, and dark grey was used to paint the guns and engine details, while dark blue (GW, I think) was used to paint the windows and portholes. Both highlighted with white.
