How to Paint Resin Figures

Resin figures are a popular purchase for any fans. However, many people don’t know how to paint resin figures and what paint to use on resin figures. Painting resin figures isn’t a difficult task, the process of painting them is similar to painting any other figure surface, such as paint action figures, or vinyl figures, but there are a few tricks that can make your resin figures get an even coat and smooth finish.

How to Paint Resin Figures

The first thing to do is to gather all the materials you will need.

Paint

You will need at least two kinds of paint: one for your base coat and another for the details. If you have time, you should also consider painting your figure with a third color, which will help to highlight some of the finer details in your design. Your choice of paint type depends on what kind of finish you want on your project. Some paints are better suited for glossy surfaces while others are better suited for matte finishes, so it’s important to choose wisely!

Primer

Primer is used as an undercoat for resin figures because it helps prevent any color shifting or bleeding that might occur after painting with a darker shade like black or red (especially if these colors are used too heavily). It also increases durability by surrounding each particle within the figure with an additional protective layer before applying any other coats overtop—this means that even if something happens later down the road (like chipping away), there will still be enough material left intact underneath those damaged areas without having to repaint entirely again from scratch!

Paintbrushes

Paintbrushes can either be natural bristles or synthetic ones made out of plastics such as polyester fibers–but whichever option works best depends entirely upon personal preference since both types work equally well when using them properly (which means caring properly too!).

Before painting, wash your figure with a damp cloth. To prepare your figure before painting, use a soft cloth or sponge to wash the figure with warm water and mild soap. Use a clean damp cloth to dry the figure after washing gently. Be sure to clean the entire figure, including any detailed work on its base and any holes in which you might have inserted screws for display purposes.

Once your figure is dry, wipe it with a tack cloth to remove any residue. Wipe down the figure with a damp cloth and allow it to air-dry completely before you paint. If any residue remains on your figure after rinsing, use another tack cloth to remove it. Finally, wipe down the tack cloth and lay it out in the sun (or near an open window) until bone dry before storing away.

What Paint to Use on Resin Figures

There are a number of things to consider when choosing the right paint for your resin figure:

Choose a paint that is designed for outdoor use. Resin figures are made of polyresin, they will fade in direct sunlight and crack if exposed to extreme temperature changes, so it’s important that you choose a paint that can withstand this kind of exposure.

Choose a water-based paint if you want to add color to your resin figure without adding gloss. Oil-based paints may make it difficult for the figure’s surface to breathe properly, which could cause peeling or bubbling over time.

Choose an exterior matte finish if you want your finished product to look like stone instead of glass or metal (or other materials). This type of finish will give you more flexibility when applying multiple layers and gives better coverage than synthetic sealers alone because they’re formulated specifically for use on resin figures rather than just as general application products; however, these finishes aren’t meant for indoor use since they tend not to last very long against normal wear and tear due their lackluster appearance compared with other types.”

Resin figure without paint

Apply Primer Before Paint Resin Figures

You may have heard the term “primer” before and wondered how it’s different from paint. Well, primer is just a thin layer of paint that’s used to prepare a surface for painting. It creates a smooth surface for the paint and seals any imperfections in the surface so that there are no brush marks or bleeding (when the color bleeds out beyond where you put it).

Primers come in many different formulas and they can be used on a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, and plastic—the same types of things that resin figures are made from! You’ll want to use an acrylic primer because it bonds very well with other acrylic paints so you don’t get any unwanted reactions between layers later on down the road when you’re adding details like glazing techniques or top coats.

Allow the primer to dry completely before applying the next layer. It’s crucial that you let your paint dry for at least 24 hours, so don’t rush through this step or you’ll risk ruining your work. It’s also important not to paint on a wet surface and not to apply paint to a surface that isn’t completely dry.

After you apply the second layer of primer to your figure, let it dry completely before applying the third layer. If you do not wait for the second coat of primer to dry thoroughly before applying the third layer, you will have to sand off any excess paint and start over again. If you don’t do it correctly, the next coat of paint won’t stick properly.

Start Painting Resin Figures

Apply as many coats of paint as it will take to get full coverage, the number of coats you will need depends on the type of paint and color, as well as the size and shape of your figure. For example, if you’re painting a small piece (2-3 inches) on a smooth surface like porcelain, it may take only one or two coats.

However, if your project is large (10-12 inches), or made from stoneware clay that has a matte finish and porous surface then it may take four or even five coats to get complete coverage. If you have doubts about how many layers to apply, always err on the side of more rather than less—you can always sand away any extra coats later if they’re unnecessary!

Protecting The Paint of Resin Figures With Sealants

You can protect your figure’s finish by applying a layer or two of clear sealant designed for painting resin figures. Let it dry completely and reapply if needed. Remember to coat the underside of your figure as well, since this is where moisture can collect and cause problems in the long run.

Be sure the sealant dries completely between each application. Use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process if necessary. Let it dry overnight if possible. Don’t use too much sealant, or it will drip.

Once you’ve applied your first layer of sealant and let it dry, apply a second coat as above—this time using more paint thinner than before (about 1:1). Then let that coat dry overnight again before applying another two-part epoxy glue/resin combination to fill any cracks in your figure’s surface with a transparent plastic filler adhesive that dries solid but flexible like rubber cement.

Conclusion

Painting a resin figure can be easy when you know what supplies and steps are involved in painting them. Use a tack cloth to remove any residue left over from when your resin figure was created in the resin figure factory. Apply a thin coat of primer to all surfaces of your figure that will be painted, making sure it is completely dry before applying additional layers (at least 24 hours). Let your final coat of primer dry before painting on top of it with whatever color scheme you prefer.

We hope that you found our guide helpful and informative. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us below.