Hello!
Has anyone ever used Floquil Oxide Red enamel (or acrylic) as a primer base for German tanks, such as the Tiger I? How are the results? Or should I just stick with flat black as a basecoat, and save the red oxide for battle damaged areas? Thanks!
I personally would NOT use floquil paint as a primer on plasic, it may eat into and destroy your kit. I had used thier Greman colors years ago and if that is any guide they are WAY too light. I live and stand by Humbrol…never a disapointment.
How about the Floquil acrylics? How are they on plastic? I have ModelMaster German armor colors in both enamel and acrylic, but am not sure which type I will use.
I think I might play it safe, and just go with flat black enamel for a basecoat, if the Floquil is too risky.
flquil acrylis work good and the red primer is very good and the best for tiger-1there is have it myself.
Hmmmmmmmmm! First time I’ve ever heard of floquil eating plastic. I’ve been using the floquil for sometime now and never had any adverse affects on any of my work. How long does it take to eat the plastic?
Semper Fi, Mike
Actually, I have heard that about Floquil, although I seem to recall using Floquil paints on plastic when I modeled as a kid (about 30 years ago), with no problems…I think maybe the solvent could be a little harsh if used heavily, but have yet to read of any major problems derived from actual experience with using the stuff…anyone have any bad experiences using Floquil on plastic?
I’m going to have to take a closer look at some of the builds I’ve used floquil on!! The bottles do say safe for most plastics, so maybe it just depends on whose kits you’re building from. There is a different consistency in the grades and qualities of different kits plastics, so the argument probably has merit. Semper Fi, Mike
Hey all!!
Floquil changed their formula re.their railroad colors some years ago,
& also their thinner.The stuff currently available is great on any type of plastic,
& the railroad colors offer some neat mixes not available in other lines.
Their Oxide Red works for me as a German primer match,& I also like
Rail Brown as a base color for track …
All The Best,
Mike
Floquil paints are lacquer based and react differently to plastic surfaces. They used to recommend that you apply some sort of sealant on bare plastic before you used the paint, but I think they’ve gotten away from that (perhaps with the new formula that roowalker mentioned) lately.
Keep in mind that their Oxide Red is only going to look like primer; it is not going to provide any special adhesion, tooth, or other benefits of primer.
If I may. I’ve used Floquil paints for years and never had any trouble. This includes the old formula. I used it on plastic with no sealant and had great results. As a matter of fact, when I can find the old formula paints, I buy them to use as primers. I think they do etch the plastic a bit and give the base coat something to adhere to. Old formula or new, I cut both with laquer thinner.
I even use Floquil over enamels for weathering . You just want to use light coats and go slow. I’ve had occassions where it caused the enamels to wrinkle up, but if you don’t freak out and just let it dry completely the enamel dries and shows no adverse affects.
Not saying I reccomend this for all, but merely telling how Floquil has worked for me. A lot of this was learned from experimenting.
Joe
Just to clear up the confusion…
Floquil lacquer paints from the 1970s and 1980s were very ‘hot’, if applied too heavily, they would attack the plastic and create a nasty mess. About 1990, they eased back on the formula a bit and pretty much eliminated the need to barrier coat the plastic. In fact, Floquil used to sell “Barrier” that you were supposed to spray on the model before applying the paint. If you airbrushed in thin coats, you generally didn’t have any problems.
Awhile back, Floquil released a line of acrylic paints. These will not craze or attack the plastic, even if you soak them. Here’s a general rule with Floquil paint…
If it comes in a tall square bottle, be very careful. If it comes in a tall round bottle, you should be ok. If says acrylic, you’ll have no troubles.
Jeff
Jeff,
What’s with the tall square bottles? I’ve never seen them. I’ve used Floquil since the 80’s and it was always in the round bottle, and I’m pretty sure that was the old formula.
Joe
I used some Floquil paints back in the late '70’s, in the tall square bottles, mostly grimy earth tones and such for weathering (to my recollection–it has been awhile!)–I don’t recall having problems, but I did not use them extensively.
Thanks for clearing up the confusion Jeff! I was reluctent to say anymore with regard to using floquil paints on plastic kits, but like some of the other folks here I’ve had very positive results with some of the floquil railroad colors. inparticular the grimy black and the tuscan red have been very useful. Their mud color can almost pass as a perfect model master afrika grunbraun. The petroleum based floquil works great in my airbrush without any thinning. Semper Fi, Mike
Guess I haven’t used them as far back as I thought. Never seen square bottles. Or just don’t remember because of age [BH][%-)]
Joe
I looked at an old bottle of Floqiul Railroad Colors and it states on the label to “test on plastics”, So i quess if that statement isnt on the label then the paint should be ok to use on plastic.
CFR