Best way to touch up the paint on a figure?

[punking]

I did a search but it didn't really turn up anything, so apologies if this has been asked before.

A couple of the figures I've picked up are missing some paint. Z-Force Captain's beret is missing a bit, and Ironblood's white hair seems to be balding. I was wondering how easy it would be to touch them up.

Do you use acrylic paint?

Would I have to remove the existing paint, or if I manage to match the colours, wold it not be noticeable if it was applied thin enough?

Never done this before, so thanks for any suggestions.

[Red Laser]

I use Games Workshop's range of paints don't remove any original paint. Just paint the areas you want to or if your paint doesn't exactly match then paint over the lot so it does. I use Skull White and did so on my Baron custom figure which is a very good match.

[Lady Jaye]

For missing black a permanent marker does the trick as well! After applying let the ink dry and rub it with your finger a little to make it more dull looking.

For touching up other colours I use Humbrol. Don't know if that is 'the standard' for painting action figures figures, I am not a hardcore painter. For the few figures I wanted to touch up, it worked well enough for me.

[Red Baron]

I also tend to use Humbrol, although have a few Games Workshop paints from years ago. I've always found Humbrol pretty good.

[The Kraken Wakes]

I use humbrol. Dont believe there is a good way of removing factory paint apps without potentially damaging the figure so I always touch up or give that area a new coat if I cant find a perfect match.

[Thundershot]

I use acrylic paint myself...but I guess everyone has their own preference of brands & types.

Can any one sort of 'un-recommend' any brand or makes of paint? Stuff that's awful to use, or wont mix with other manufacturers products, I think the Boss had trouble in the past with a paint job that was ruined by a coat of varnish?

[humby248]

I found Humbrol black satin a very good match and find enamel paints harder wearing than acrylics. However I would say stir the paint fully and applying a coat of ndercaot and humbrol satincote will seal them.

[punking]

Thanks guys. Looks like Humbrol it is then. The marker idea is genius, I never thought of that.

[simmur]

Can any one sort of 'un-recommend' any brand or makes of paint? Stuff that's awful to use, or wont mix with other manufacturers products, I think the Boss had trouble in the past with a paint job that was ruined by a coat of varnish?

wouldn't recommend 'DecoArt' acrylics. Found them too watery, and when they dried they peeled like sunburnt skin.

I found Plasticote or Dacrylate (if you can afford it) superb for painting vehicles. Gives them that showroom glow...if thats what you're after

[The Baron]

Yeah, I stupidly used my Plastikote clear lacquer spray over Humbrol enamel when I did my first Z Force Tomahawk. The whole thing blistered and bubbled instantly!

Then TKW stole my idea. And he won Custom of the Month for it too. Wanker.