I started modeling when I was 7 or 8, and have been modeling through my teens, but for the last decade I’ve been busy with other things.
Now I want to start doing it again. I’ve been browsing the net for a couple of weeks now, and can see alot has happened since I build and painted my last scale model.
I plan on building 1/35 (and maybe a bit 1/72) scale models, AFVs and figures.
I’ve always used Humbrol enamels (I couldn’t afford what it took to start using airbrush etc.).
What types of paint should I get, and which is used for what? I’ve been looking at Humbrol, Testors, Tamiya and Vallejo. Is MIG pigments a good product? What do I used acrylics for, and enamels, etc.?
Airbrushing: what products are worth looking at?
I’m living in Europe, so I need something that can be purchased in Europe!
Most things can be bought in Europe I believ. As for the airbrush, I would get a badger 155 or similar. Testors, Tamiya and Vallejo are excellent paints, and they can all be used for whatever purpose you want to use them for. Acrylics and enamels can basically be interchanged, but enamels give a smoother spray patetrn, but acrylics are easier to clean up.
Welcome, Steen!
You’ve certainly come to the right place.
The best advice: start browsing and searching through the forums here!
You won’t find a friendlier bunch of modelers on the Internet.
As for paints, I mostly use Tamiya and Gunze Sangyo, both acrylics and enamels.
Anything from MIG is great.
as for an airbrush i would also say to get a badger 155. it is a great affordable brush that can paint many kinds of paint and very small to a pretty good sized area i use mostely testors paints but see what works for u and expirement 155 is a great brush
I would go to the search box at the top right of the page and type in “new airbrush” and see the multitude of posts that pop up. There’s a lof of good stuff out there but it depends on what you need it for… if you see youself only doing 1/35 armor, you probably won’t be as picky as to how thin your airbrush lines are, if you think you might do some aircraft then it might be of a concern. Read a little and if you think you might see a brush or two that interest you, plenty of people here will jump at the chance to help you. The main thing is buy an airbrush that you can get parts for locally… which might not be exactly the brush we suggest here, but will serve you better when that needle bends and you need a new one. (no waiting 4 weeks for it to come across the pond)
There are a lot of good paints as well, I use mostly Model Masters by Testors but if it is not available Vallejo and Gunze are GREAT acrylics, Tamiya is really good too but I tend to lean toward Vallejo now for acrylic paint. The important thing with Vallejo and Tamiya is to (at least when you start out new) always use their brand of thinner with their brand of paints… they seem to paint better with those.
Go to your local hobby shop and talk to them about what airbrushes are available locally and come back and the people here will be more than happy to tell you the ups and downs of each one.
Oh yeah, I would look into a compressor too… the compressed air gets expensive after a few cans. Easier to spend the money up front and be done with it!
Good luck!!! and I look forward to helping you find what you need! Welcome back to modeling!
I think I’ll start out with buying Vallejo (thinner, basem etc,) and MIG pigments. Does anybody know what the difference is between Vallejo Model Air and Model color? I’m planning on buying a airbrush, but would prefer to only buy one set of paints, not one for brushes and one for air!
Steen, the Model Air range are pre-thinned ready for airbrushing, while Model Colour is not. If you intend brush painting as well best go for the Model Colour paints.
As for the airbrush itself, you won’t go far wrong with a Badger, especially not a 155. The Revell airbrushes are in fact Theyer & Chandler(Now owned by Badger) Vega series brushes, and therefore related to the Omni range that you will see referred to on this forum.
I have used a german site / shop for all my airbrush accesories. http://www.aura-shop.de/index.htm. I have had no problems with them ( well except for a problem with my compressor but that has been sorted out )
they make all of them… their line has 256 or so colors to it!
check it out at: http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/ if you are looking at airbrush paints go to the Model Air section… as said before the Model paints require some thinning, airbrush paints are pre thinned… they arent labled RLM etc I dont think, on the bottle they are… went to the LHS and picked up mine… a lot of positive response there about them! And those guys had some impressive looking builds!!
oh… and they work better with their thinner, just like Tamiya…
Steen, as mentioned by a few other forum members, Gunze acrylics are well worth a look, and they cover the bulk of the RLM colours. I get mine from the following site in the UK: