I see a lot of reviews on here about the different paints for our hobby, articles talking about Tamiya, Model Master, Vallejo, Citadel; however, I havent seen a lot of comments or information about Humbrol paints. I just purchased a couple of their paint pots for my current project and was wondering if anyone can give me some pro’s and con’s about this brand of paint.
Humbrol is fine enamel. I use it and Model Master enamels almost exclusively and I really don’t have any complaints or criticism about Humbrol. Well, wait. I think I’d like it even better if it came in bottles and not the little tins since it might be more pourable should that need arise. But, having said that, the tins must seal pretty well because I’ve never had any Humbrol paint go bad, or rubbery. I have thrown out many bottles of MM enamel that did however. Perhaps I just didn’t screw the caps on tight enough. Possible, but not likely though. Buy Humbrol with confidence, but just realize it is solvent-based enamel. But that’s why I like it! ymmv.
Gary
I often wonder why Humbrol seems to be a taboo brand, I v’e used there enamels for years without problems, there thinner is so so but at least it doesn’t smell bad but I use enamel thinner from the hardware and its great with it. There Clear I’m sure is Future floor polish I’m sure you have read about and decalfix is the friendliest decal solution going. I wish they would use jars instead of tins but they keep the paint for years so nothing wrong with them.
It comes down to that age old question of which is best, short answer is what you like and are comfy with. Every person has a unique situation and its what suits, smell is a issue if your in a house but not if your in a shed for example, drying times etc.
There’s endless threads on here and other forums about whats best but its really what you like to use that’s best. I.m sure there will be many more opinions to follow.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
Are we on the same page Gary or what. 
There thinner smells very much like watered metho and it works but I don’t think as good as normal thinner, even gp thinner works great.
Cheers from Mick.
Thanks Gents on the info. I’m looking forward to giving them a shot. I had been a faithful user of Model Master/Testors colors up until now. Mainly because thats about all you can find here in my area.
One more thing,
I know a lot of people can’t be bothered but a decent organic fumes respirator (not the paper mask type) should really be worn when working with solvents even with a spray booth, remember that smell is hitting your lungs as well and the long term effects can be devastating even if you don’t get headaches etc from using it every time.
Humbrol Enamels are very good paints. They brush paint really nice, and can also work real well in the airbrush. Probably what throws people off is their way of identifying paints. Very hard to cross match without a chart. They assign numbers only to their paints. They aren’t listed as RLM 66 or Dark Ghost Gray for example. (someone correct me if I’m wrong on this).
Much of the Humbrol line is RAL, RLM, BSC, or FS# matched. IPMS Stockholm has a great site for matching up colors to those standards, as well as the label on the paint rack in the Hobby Shops. I personally am a huge fan and user of their enamels. I find that it airbrushes best with Testor’s Universal Enamel thinner. That stuff gives most enamels a bit more “tooth”. The only real tip I have for their usage is STIR IT THOROUGHLY before each use. Once you get the hang of Humbrols, you most likely will be hooked. They can not be beat for handbrushing.
Those little electric mixers are fantastic for stirring the little tins as long as its not got the lump on the bottom if its been sitting for a while, it will mix it but if the lump comes away and wraps around the impeller you can guess what happens…learnt that the hard way.
That’s why I like the little Tamiya stir stick. If there is a mess from the clump, it’s my fault.
I’d love to try Humbrol paints myself (enamels and acrylics) but unfortunately my LHS don’t carry a good selection of colors. I do agree Humbrol tend to throw folks off identifying paint colors. You might have one or more Humbrol color number ID that matches 1 color of another brand - ie: Model Master.
Thanks to everyone for the information and tips, this is a very useful forum. I have also found the following paint matching, on-line chart to be helpful in matching paints.
The neat thing about this chart is that you can copy the URL of a picture online of the subject you are attempting to recreate and you can fairly adequately match the paint colors.
I will be getting my first order of Humbrol tomorrow in my order from an online hobby retailer as my LHS doesnt carry that brand either.
Thanks for posting the link jelliott. I’ve been looking for another paint chart like that.
I dont care for the tins that it comes in, other than that it is good paint.
Bill
The production of there enamels apparently moved to China or thereabouts a few years ago & there were some quality concerns, but since then production has moved back to the UK & I haven’t seen any dodgy reports since - they are generally a pretty good paint.
There acrylics seem to be a different story, with both positive & negative comments. I’m generally a Tamiya user, but a couple of years ago I needed some colours that weren’t in the Tamiya range (shockaroonie) & went with Humbrol acrylics. I have to say that I found them a pain to use, with tip dry & clogging being issues, I also found it very difficult to get a sweet spot when thinning - too thick, too thin & just too much like hard work to consistently get correct…