Paint and brushes are only half the job. The other half belongs to the tools that hold a part in place, spread putty, mask an edge or dose paint to an exact ratio. This category collects AK Interactive modelling tools – from masking tapes through palettes and silicone brushes to cutting mats, clips and magnets. These are not consumables; most of them are bought once and last a modelling lifetime.

What is in the category

Where to start

If you have just set up a bench and do not know what to buy first, the order is almost always the same. A wet palette changes how you paint more than any other tool – acrylic stays workable for hours instead of minutes. Painting clips get your fingers off the model, which is essential with an airbrush and a real advantage with a brush. One masking tape in a middle width covers most ordinary situations; other widths are added later according to what you paint.

The rest follows your focus. Diorama builders need spatulas and pastes. Figure painters value pipettes, palettes and magnets for a base that comes apart. Vehicle builders reach for the cutting mat, cement and the wider tapes.

Frequently asked questions

Are these tools consumables?
Mostly not. Tape, cement and cleaner get used up, but palettes, clips, spatulas, burnishers, mats and the Ring Maker are a purchase for years. That is exactly why it is worth buying a good one straight away.

Do these tools work with other brands of paint?
Yes. Palettes, pipettes and the wet palette are brand-neutral and take acrylics, enamels and lacquers alike. The same goes for the masking tapes – they hold on any dried finish.

What else do I need alongside the tools?
Brushes and paint. The AK synthetic brush range or da Vinci are a good start, paints are in the AK 3rd Generation range, and base materials in the Textures category.