HEADS UP! – Painting & Detailing A Scale Driver’s Head

HEADS UP! – Painting & Detailing A Scale Driver’s Head

Getting the most out of your detailed scale build requires you to leave no stone unturned when it comes to adding details to your rig. One crucial part of detailing your custom-built RC vehicle is an equally detailed driver figure. We understand that, for many, painting a driver figure can be tough. It requires patience and a steady hand, but we’re confident that you can do it. Mallarie Franklin of Monster Fab RC is quickly making a name for herself in the driver figure painting arena. We’re pleased that she agreed to show us how she paints her driver heads. In this step-by-step example, she shows us how she paints a Headhunter Studios skull head.

REQUIRED MATERIALS & TOOLS

– Acrylic paint (black, beige, white, green, gold)
– Clear coat
– Differently sized paint brushes ranging from medium to extra-small
– Popsicle stick
– 3mm self-tapping screw
– Paper towel
– Water to clean your brushes

Painting & Detailing A Scale Driver’s Head

Step 1
Start by screwing the head to your popsicle stick. This will make holding and maneuvering the head easy without messing up your paint. Apply a light layer of black paint over the entire surface of the head, including the helmet. This does not need to be perfect. After painting over the teeth of the skull gently wipe your finger over the teeth, removing some paint so the white shows through. Let this dry completely.

Painting & Detailing A Scale Driver’s Head

Step 2
Next you will be using your beige paint to dry-brush the skull. Dry brushing is dipping the tip of your paintbrush in your paint and dabbing off any excess onto a paper towel, leaving only a small amount on the brush itself, and then using a light sweeping motion to apply the paint. Continue to build up paint with the dry-brushing technique to add coverage and depth. This may be only one to two layers of paint. This does not need to be a full-coverage application. Take extra care not to get any beige paint in the eye sockets or nose area. Let dry completely.

Painting & Detailing A Scale Driver’s Head

Step 3
Now we paint the helmet in your choice of color. I chose green. This will be a full-coverage application. Let dry completely.

Painting & Detailing A Scale Driver’s Head

Step 4
At this time we will go back and add small details. With a small brush, paint the snaps on the helmet gold. You can also paint a tooth or two gold as well. With your white paint and an extra-small brush lightly add a small amount of paint to the teeth, being careful not to cover up any of the black separating the teeth.

Painting & Detailing A Scale Driver’s Head

Step 5
Now clear-coat the helmet. You can use an acrylic clear gloss coat. I like to use nail polish, which leaves it extra glossy. Two coats would be best. You want to leave the skull matte, so be careful not to get any gloss on the face. Let dry completely.

Painting & Detailing A Scale Driver’s Head

The results speak for themselves; this skull head looks awesome, doesn’t it? To learn more about Mallarie Franklin and her painting services, check out the Instagram account @Monster_fab_rc. To snag yourself a skull head, check out @headhunterstudios, also on Instagram.


Text and Images by Mallarie Franklin and RCCA Staff

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Updated: January 26, 2023 — 1:38 PM
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