Painting Marushin's MP40

Post by richard jones

Just bought a used Marushin MP40 and while it isnt a bad looking gun im not too keen on the plastic barrell and other parts.Any idea what paint is available in the UK that would make the parts a bit more realistic?

Post by metradio

Rather than paint you could use 'grate polish', a toothpaste sized tube of wax based graphite polish, available from hardware stores and looks like black shoe polish with graphite mixed in.. Apply with a cloth and buff to highlight high points. The finish looks like steel with the blued finished worn off on the high points and a gunmetal finish to the rest. The polish can be washed off with soap and water, so you can experiment with different application methods and amounts.
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Mike

Post by richard jones



Sounds like excellent stuff-would it stick to the plastic parts or would it come off with usage of the gun?

Post by metradio

I used to apply it to plastic kit wallhangers years ago. It has the same properties as wax shoe polish, it will apply and stick to most clean surfaces, but will slowly rub off with wear, requiring re-application..
try some shoe polish and see..
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Mike

Post by Doc

If you put a matt paint surface on first then the grate polish will adhere better,
Years ago I bought a mettallic spray paint (modellers paint) to paint up a Robocop model I had, this went on flat grey but the more you polished the thing the more "gunmetal" it appeared , not quite sure this finish would look right for a modelgun but it certainly did look mettallic.

DOC
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We need guns...lots of guns....

.... well anything mechanical that can kill people is interesting ...

Post by banjoe


I have used great paint for plastic from my local R/C shop. There is a paint that is used for the plastic body's of the remote control cars. It comes in lots of colors including metal. The other methods sound like they might work better though for model guns. For painting basic colors on plastic this r/c paint is very tough and will not scratch off easily.

Post by metradio

The 'grate polish' solution was put forward as an alternative (that can be easily removed), rather than as an addition to any paint job..
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Mike

Post by richard jones

When i was a kid and into airfix kits etc im sure i used to use a colour from Humbrol called Gunmetal-used to dry a sort of matt grey but could be polished up to a semi matt finish.
I will try to track some down or see if it is still available.If it doesnt work then i guess i can try some of that grate polish over it.

Just did a quick google search-Humbrol make what they call METALCOTE in a few colours including gunmetal-paint on,allow to dry then polish up to a metallic metal like finish.
Sounds good.

Post by allenb

Richard - A member on here - Reemo - seems to know what he's doing when it comes to painting.
I've found an old post from him which I hope he doesn't mind me repeating for you

Quote :

Step one - start with a NEW clean gun if possible. No grease, oil or powder on it. If painting an older/used gun, clean first with Polly Scale plastic prep (cleaner). It is meant to clean plastic model parts before painting. Folllow directions, Alcohol or mineral spirits may be substituted. NO sanding is needed. *NOTE - your paintjob is only as good as your prep work. (Adhesion Adhesion Adhesion)
Step two - preshading (optional) - I build plastic military models and one trick I learned is to "preshade". That is, to spray black paint FIRST ......... OUTLINE around key areas to form shadows and depth.......if you look at the photos along the weld lines, around the sling loops, in the deep recesses, it has been painted FIRST with Humbrol matte black. Once preshadeing is dry, then go right over with the main color.
Step three - top coat of color - I happened to choose Humbrol "Metalcote", part number 27004. You can use what you like, but this color is a good "go between"......sort of gun metal color, sort or parkerized.....it just worked for this gun......follow directions..........once the paint is dry (20 mins) buff the color with a clean SOFT rag. Stand back and smile. It polished to a reflective metalized finish. SIMPLE. *NOTE,....dont wait any longer than 20 mins, othwerwise the paint wont polish out.
Step four - optional - once the paint has hardened off (24 hours), you can weather the gun slightly - "drybrush" dirty metal colors (Humbrol metal colors mixed with black artist oil) on the raised areas to simulate wear - likewise you may LIGHTLY apply pastel powders (MIG pigments are great) to change the hue of the metal to brownish or even purple or green to simulate field use, wear, and even heat.......another tip is to simply apply "smoke black" pigment powder to weldlines and such to accent the shading and highlights. (see the weldlines above in the photo of my gun).
Use sparingly - the best advice I can give with using pastel powders is when you THINK you have done enough, you have probably done too much!

BTW He was talking about repainting a Hudson M3A1 greasegun but the idea's the same, though the finish of the MP40's/M3 was different i'm sure.(No parkerised finish on MP40)
Hope this helps

Post by richard jones



Exellent-very helpfull-Thanks

that black grate polish was called ZeeBrite if I remember right. Stermats Hardware shops sold it as well as the good old fashioned ironmongers.
I used it on black (unchromed) motorcycle exhusts and it's brilliant on them. It polishes up to a nice metalic sheen, not to mention stopped them getting rusty..
I might try it on my own MP40 now you come to mention it!

Cerwyn
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Hobby collector of mainly WW2 era uniforms, headgear, field equipment and replica weapons.

Post by metradio

Yes it was called Zebrite but it seems it is hard to come by now, easier just to ask for 'grate polish'..
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Mike

Post by richard jones



Did a quick Ebay search just for an idea of prices and there are various makes of tubes or tins from £3 ish to £6.95.

Post by Mark

It would be nice to find a dye that will make the finish more realistic and that won't wear off. Any finish that is painted on will wear after time and look tacky after being handled alot. If a suitable dye could be found that looks good that would be the best solution, as dyes are absorbed into the pores of the ABS and they aren't subject to extreme surface wear like paint. Also, roughing up the shinny surface with emery paper or sand/beadblasting can transform a dull Marushin "plasticky" looking MP40 into a real appearing MP..
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MGC MP40 Marushin MP40 Nakata MP40 TRC MP40

Modelgun manufacturers, past and present:CMC,CAW,Hudson,HWS,LS,MGC(R.I.P. 1960's~2007) Marushin,Marui,Kokusai,Shoei,Tanaka and Western Arms