What glue and paint should I buy for my Airfix kit?

Most Airfix kits do not include any paint or glue, if you are not used to making models this may seem like a bit of a con, but there is a valid reason for the absence of these important materials and that is that most modellers have very different ideas about how they wish to construct and finish their models. For those who would rather have everything in one box, starter sets do include paints, glue and sometimes brushes too, but if you have made the decision to progress to harder kits you will be faced with having to select your own.

Which glue to use when constructing a kit will keep modellers happily debating till the end of time, there are many different types of glue possessing qualities that excel in different areas, the best advice is - if it works for you then carry on, but, for those with less experience, a good place to start is a plastic glue such as Plastic Cement or Plastic Magic. These kinds of glue "melt" the plastic parts together to provide a very neat and strong bond and are clean and easy to use.

What colour to paint your model is a personal choice but kits without included paints will have a key included in the instructions to point you in the right direction should you need a little inspiration. If you decide to completely go it alone with your paint selection you should be aware that there are two main different types of paint, enamel (an oil-based paint) and acrylic (a water-based paint). Either are fine but it should be heeded that the two types should not be mixed and acrylic can be more easily removed (while still wet) should you make any little mistakes.

The final consideration when choosing paint is what finish you would like to see on your model, you can choose a shiny glossy finish or a flat dull one. These effects can be achieved in two ways by either choosing a paint that dries to the desired effect in the first place or by applying a clear flat or gloss lacquer over your paintwork to change it to the desired effect.

Having to choose your own paint may seem scary at first, but there's not much to know that's important, most of the choice comes down to personal preference, so don't be afraid to give it a go.