Best Paints for Resin Models: 5 Ranges Compared (2026)
Resin holds crisp detail better than almost any other miniature material, but it is also slick and non-porous, so the paint you choose (and how you prep for it) makes the difference between a clean finish and a flaky one. This guide covers the best paint ranges for resin models in 2026, what each one is good at, and the prep that lets any of them perform.
Why resin needs the right paint (and a primer first)
Acrylic paint is the standard choice for resin miniatures. It is easy to use, fast drying, low odour, and available in the huge colour ranges hobbyists rely on. The catch is adhesion: bare cured resin is smooth and slightly waxy, so acrylics struggle to grip it directly. The fix is simple and non negotiable. Wash the model to remove any release residue, give it a light sand where needed, then lay down a thin coat of primer. Primer gives the acrylic a surface to key into and unifies the colour underneath your paint.
Once a resin model is cleaned and primed, essentially any quality miniature acrylic will work well. The choice between ranges comes down to your workflow: fast one coat painting, careful blending for display, or heavy weathering for a diorama.
What to look for in a paint for resin models
- Formulation for miniatures. Paints made for models flow and cover better on small, detailed surfaces than craft-store acrylics.
- Finish. Matte finishes hide brush marks and suit display pieces; satin finishes are forgiving for tabletop models.
- Brush vs airbrush. Some lines are formulated specifically for airbrushing, others for the brush. Many brands sell both.
- One coat vs layering. Contrast-style paints (one thick coat that shades and highlights itself) speed up armies; traditional layer paints give more control for showcase work.
- Availability where you are. An EU-based brand often means cheaper, faster restocking than importing.
The 5 best paint ranges for resin models
1. The Army Painter (best all-rounder for gamers)
Based in Skanderborg, Denmark, The Army Painter builds a whole ecosystem around getting miniatures painted quickly and consistently. Its Warpaints line covers the everyday colours, while the standout is Speedpaint, a one coat, contrast-style system that shades and highlights in a single pass. Pair that with the brand's Wet Palette and Masterclass tutorials and you have a clear path from primer to finished model. It is ideal for painting units and warbands where speed and consistency matter more than competition-grade blending.
Best for: tabletop gamers and beginners who want good results fast. Website: thearmypainter.com
2. Citadel / Warhammer Colour (best structured system)
Games Workshop's paint range (rebranded from Citadel Colour to Warhammer Colour in 2025, same paints, new name) is organised by job: Base for opaque first coats, Layer for highlights and blending, Shade for washes, Contrast for one coat results, and Dry and Technical for effects. That "which pot for which step" structure makes it the easiest system for newcomers to follow, and the paints are stocked in Warhammer stores across Europe. The trade-offs are the pot format (which dries out if left open) and a price per millilitre on the higher side.
Best for: beginners who want a guided, step-by-step system. Website: paint.warhammer.com
3. Acrylicos Vallejo (best range and value)
Vallejo, based in Spain, offers one of the deepest miniature paint catalogues available. Model Color is the brush-focused core range, Model Air is formulated for airbrushing, Game Color targets fantasy miniatures, Xpress Color is the fast one coat option, and Metal Color delivers realistic metallics. The dropper bottles reduce waste and mixing is easy, which is why Vallejo is a workhorse for both scale modellers and miniature painters. Being EU-based, it is widely stocked across Europe.
Best for: painters who want a big, flexible range in dropper bottles. Website: acrylicosvallejo.com
4. Scale75 (best for display and blending)
Also Spanish, Scale75 is aimed at advanced and competition painters. Its Scalecolor line is known for an ultra-matte finish that gives real depth for blending, glazing, and Non-Metallic Metal techniques, while the Fantasy & Games line offers a satin finish tuned for tabletop miniatures. There is a learning curve, and the ultra-matte formula rewards thin, patient coats, but for a showpiece resin figure the results are hard to beat.
Best for: experienced painters chasing display-quality blends. Website: scale75.com
5. AK Interactive (best for weathering and dioramas)
AK Interactive, another Spanish brand, spans acrylics, lacquers, enamels, oils, weathering products, pigments, and diorama supplies, backed by a large library of tutorials and publications. If your resin piece is part of a scene (a base, a diorama, a battle-worn look) AK's weathering range and reference material make it a strong single-source option. The breadth can be overwhelming for a first-time painter, so start with a focused acrylic set.
Best for: weathering, bases, and full diorama builds. Website: ak-interactive.com
Quick comparison
| Paint range | Country | Strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Army Painter | Denmark | Speedpaint one coat system + training | Fast, consistent tabletop painting |
| Citadel / Warhammer Colour | UK | Step-by-step range structure | Beginners who want a guided system |
| Acrylicos Vallejo | Spain | Deep range, dropper bottles | All-round value and flexibility |
| Scale75 | Spain | Ultra-matte, blending and NMM | Display and competition work |
| AK Interactive | Spain | Weathering, oils, diorama supplies | Scenes, bases, weathered looks |
There is no single best paint for every job. For a warband you want speed, so reach for Speedpaint or Xpress Color. For a single showpiece you want control, so reach for Scalecolor or Citadel Layer paints. Most experienced painters end up mixing brands, and that is completely normal: primed resin does not care whose paint goes on top.
How to prep a resin model before painting
- Wash it. Warm water with a little dish soap (or isopropyl alcohol) removes any residue that would stop paint sticking. Let it dry fully.
- Clean up and sand. Trim any support nubs and lightly sand seams or blemishes, starting coarse and finishing fine. Wipe away dust.
- Prime thin. One or two light coats of acrylic or spray primer. Thin coats preserve detail; thick coats bury it.
- Paint in thin layers. Build colour up gradually and let each coat dry. Thick coats run and hide the sculpt.
- Seal it. A matte or satin varnish protects the finish, especially on models that get handled.
How much of the early prep you do yourself depends on the kit. That is exactly where a finish tier saves time, which brings us to the kits themselves.
The kits worth all that paint: Remerlinds
Great paint only shows on a great model. Remerlinds makes made-to-order 3D printed resin figure kits, printed at 16K resolution for very fine detail, and offered in three finish tiers so you decide how much prep is already done before you pick up a brush:
- ✦ Bronze: cleaned and cured, ready for you to sand, prime, and paint (full DIY).
- ✦ Silver: sanded, with visible post-assembly seams and holes sealed, so less prep before priming.
- ✦ Gold: gap-filled and primed, near paint-ready, so you can go straight to colour.
Every kit is cast to order in the Netherlands, ships unpainted so you make every colour call, and works with any of the paint ranges above. Free EU shipping over €250, free NL shipping over €100, plus select international destinations. Browse the Remerlinds collections to find your next project, or read our Bronze, Silver & Gold finish guide to pick the right tier.
FAQ
What kind of paint works best on resin models?
Miniature acrylics are the best choice: easy to use, fast drying, and available in wide colour ranges. Prime the resin first, because acrylics do not adhere well to bare, smooth resin.
Do I need to prime a resin miniature before painting?
Yes. Cured resin is slick and non-porous, so paint can flake without primer. Wash the model, sand where needed, then apply one or two thin coats of primer.
What is the fastest way to paint a resin model?
Use a one coat, contrast-style system such as The Army Painter Speedpaint or Vallejo Xpress Color over a light primer. One pass shades and highlights at the same time, which is ideal for units.
Which paint is best for display-quality resin figures?
Scale75 Scalecolor (ultra-matte, great for blending) and Citadel Layer paints give the most control for showpiece work. Both reward thin, patient coats.
Can I mix paint brands on one model?
Yes. Once a model is primed, different acrylic brands layer over each other without issue. Most experienced painters mix ranges to get the best of each.
