Hobby Supplies Glossary

Acrylic model paint is water-based, making it safe to use indoors, easy to clean and quick to dry. It is the most recommended paint type for beginners. Tamiya Color is the most widely available hobby acrylic brand. Acrylics work well applied by brush or airbrush and thin with water or dedicated acrylic thinner.

Hobby-specific acrylics like Tamiya Color are formulated for plastic model surfaces and give better coverage, colour accuracy and adhesion than standard craft acrylics. Craft acrylics are thicker and may obscure fine surface detail if not heavily thinned. For best results on model kits, use paint formulated specifically for scale modelling.

An airbrush is a small spray gun that atomises paint using compressed air. It gives far more control than rattle cans or brushes for applying thin smooth coats, blending colours and creating gradual weathering effects. Double-action airbrushes (where the trigger controls both air and paint flow) are the most widely used type in scale modelling.

No. Many excellent model builds use rattle cans for priming and base coating, with brush painting for detail work. An airbrush improves finish quality significantly but is a substantial investment in both cost and learning time. It becomes a practical consideration once you have completed several kits and want to push your finish quality further.

CA glue (cyanoacrylate, commonly called super glue) bonds surfaces through a moisture-activated curing reaction, setting in seconds to a few minutes depending on viscosity. In modelling it is used for bonding resin parts, metal detail components and rubber tyres where plastic cement will not work. Available in thin, medium and thick gel versions.

No. CA glue creates a surface adhesive bond and works on almost any material. Plastic cement chemically welds polystyrene plastic parts together for a native-strength bond. For standard polystyrene model kit assembly, plastic cement is correct. Use CA glue for resin, metal and rubber and materials that plastic cement will not bond.

A hobby knife is used for trimming excess plastic from model parts, cleaning up gates, cutting decals, scribing lines, removing flash and general fine cutting work. The blade is small and sharp, giving precise control for detail work. Blades are replaceable so the knife stays effective through many builds.

Always cut away from your body and keep fingers away from the cutting line. Use a self-healing cutting mat under all cutting work to protect your surface and reduce the risk of slipping. Replace blades regularly as dull blades require more force and are more likely to slip. Keep hobby knives away from children at all times.

Hobby putty is a soft filler paste used to fill gaps between joined parts, seam lines and casting defects on model kits. Once cured, it sands easily and creates a smooth seamless surface ready for primer and paint. Common types include lacquer-based spot fillers, two-part epoxy putty for larger gaps and white fine-surface putty for subtle repairs.

Apply a small amount of putty along the seam using a sculpting tool, toothpick or wet finger. Smooth it level with the surrounding surface. Allow it to cure fully. Sand with progressive grit sanding sticks starting at 400 grit and working up to 1000 or higher. Apply primer to the area and inspect for remaining irregularities before painting.

Tamiya masking tape is a thin, flexible low-tack tape designed for masking model surfaces during painting. It is thin enough to conform to gentle curves, cuts cleanly with a hobby knife and removes without lifting or damaging the underlying paint. It is available in multiple widths to suit different masking tasks.

10 mm tape is the most versatile width for edge masking and creating straight paint divisions. 6 mm tape suits finer work and tight curves. 18 mm or wider tape is useful for covering large flat sections. Most builders keep at least two widths on hand.

Primer spray is a base coat applied to model parts before final paint. It improves paint adhesion, reveals any sanding marks or gaps that need fixing and creates a uniform base that improves the look of paint applied over it. Tamiya and Mr Hobby produce widely used model kit primer ranges.

Work in a well-ventilated area. Shake the can for at least one minute. Hold the can 25 to 30 cm from the surface and apply in thin sweeping passes. Apply two to three thin coats rather than one heavy coat. Allow each coat to dry for at least 30 minutes before the next.

A panel line pen is a specialist marker with a very fine tip designed to apply ink into the recessed lines on model kits and Gunpla. The ink flows into the engraved lines by capillary action. Excess ink is wiped from raised surfaces with a clean rubber eraser or cotton bud, leaving ink only in the lines. Gundam Marker Panel Line pens are the most widely used type.

Regular permanent markers are not suitable for panel lining on plastic models. They do not flow into panel lines reliably, bleed into the plastic and cannot be wiped from raised surfaces cleanly. Hobby-specific panel line pens such as Gundam Marker are formulated for this specific application and give clean, controllable results.

Sprue cutters are the primary tool for model kit and Gunpla building. They are designed to cut as close to flush as possible when separating parts from the plastic runner. A quality pair leaves only a very small nub that can be sanded smooth. Using scissors or fingernails damages parts and creates unnecessary stress marks.

A mid-range pair such as those from Tamiya is a solid first purchase. For Gunpla builders who want the cleanest result, a single-blade flush cutter (often called an ultimate nipper) cuts from one side and leaves the smallest possible nub. Avoid the cheapest available nippers as they tend to crush rather than cut, increasing nub marks and stress marks on parts.

A self-healing cutting mat is a multi-layer surface that closes the cut after a blade passes through it. It protects the table beneath from blade damage, provides a stable non-slip cutting surface and usually includes a printed measurement grid. They are an essential workshop accessory for any model builder.

For most model kit and Gunpla work, an A3 mat (420 by 297 mm) provides ample space without being awkward on a typical desk. If you regularly work on large kit parts or cut decal sheets, an A2 mat gives more room. For occasional use, an A4 mat suits a compact working area.

Sanding sticks are abrasive tools with a flexible foam or rigid backing. They are used to smooth nub marks after cutting parts from runners, remove seam lines and prepare surfaces for priming and painting. Available in grits from 220 (coarse) to 2000 or finer, different grits are used in sequence to achieve a progressively smoother surface.

A set covering 400, 800, 1000 and 1500 grit handles most needs. Start at 400 for nub marks and seam lines, then work through finer grits to bring the surface to paint-ready condition. For polishing clear parts, 2000 grit followed by a polishing compound gives the best result.

A static grass applicator is a battery-powered tool that charges static grass fibres electrostatically so they stand upright when applied to a PVA-glued surface. This creates a realistic three-dimensional grass texture. Static grass applicators are widely used by model railway hobbyists for scenic groundwork.

Sprinkling static grass by hand produces a flat, matted result as the fibres lie on their sides. A static grass applicator makes the fibres stand upright, creating a much more realistic grass effect. For small areas, hand application is an acceptable starting point. For larger layouts where realistic grass is a priority, an applicator is a worthwhile investment.

Tamiya Extra Thin Cement is used to bond polystyrene plastic model parts permanently. Touch the built-in brush applicator to the edge of a join and the thin cement flows in by capillary action. It sets in 30 to 60 seconds and creates a bond stronger than the plastic itself.

Extra Thin (yellow cap) is ideal for close-fitting joints where the cement can flow in via capillary action. It sets quickly and leaves minimal excess. Standard Cement (orange cap) is applied to both surfaces before pressing them together, giving more working time for larger contact areas. Extra Thin is the first choice for most model kit work.

Tweezers allow you to pick up, position and hold small parts that would be difficult or impossible to handle with fingers alone. They are essential for waterslide decal placement, positioning small detail parts and holding components steady while adhesive sets. A flat-tipped pair and a sharp-pointed pair cover most modelling needs.

Stainless steel modelling tweezers with a firm spring are the most practical. A flat-tipped pair is best for handling decals and flat components. A sharp-pointed pair suits picking up very small round parts and placing items in tight spaces. Avoid soft-tipped or weak-spring tweezers as they give poor control.

Weathering powders (also called pigments) are finely ground dry particles applied to painted surfaces to add realistic dust, dirt, rust and earth contamination effects. They are applied with a stiff brush or soft cotton bud and are one of the most beginner-friendly weathering products. The effects can be intensified or wiped back easily.

Yes. Weathering powders are among the most forgiving weathering products. If you apply too much, you can brush off the excess and start again. No thinning or mixing is needed. Earth and dust tones are the most practical starting colours for vehicle modelling.