As a youth i was never an avid model builder, however when i did build one, i always used the Testors paints .
Now as an older adult im starting to model again and after using Testors again i realized there has to be a cleaner , less expensive method that doesn’t involve solvents. Just to clarify i am not speaking negatively about Testors.
I have seen the Tamiya paints before though i have little with them.
I know there are other paint lines available maybe i could get some suggestions and advice here.
Also, I would like to start of a complete set if possible.
I’ve gotten along well with the Model Master Acryl line. Great color availability. Many others don’t like 'em though. I’ve had good luck with them myself - surface prep and proper thinning is the key I believe.
To me, the advantages of enamel outweigh the need for a solvent. Enamels can be both brushed and sprayed, while some acrylics do not brush well. I find far less compatibility problems with enamels. If you do a subject that needs a glossy finish, I find glossy finish to be much easier with enamels. Some folks have adhesion problems with some of the acrylics. Also, while you can thin acrylics with water, most modelers I know use a water/alcohol mix, and alcohol is a solvent.
I use a spray booth with a good filter for rattle cans, which eliminates much of the odor. In airbrushing I use so little paint that odor is not a big problem.
Agree with Bearcat and I’ve never really had much of a problem with MM, Tamiya or the PollyScale acrylics. The key is definitely proper prep - clean surfaces, etc. Yes, the acrylics can be a bit delicate in my experience so if I’m planning on doing a lot of masking, I prefer enamels, or if I will shoot a coat of Future and let it harden then do my masking (or whatever).
When I brush the acrylics I do tend to thin them as well and I find no problems with brush strokes. I paint indoors with somewhat limited ventilation so I like the lower fumes of the acrylic paints (note, ‘lower’ not ‘none’).
I hate enamel paint, poisonous and last time I used it took forever to dry. I rarely use anything other than MM acrylic and Tamiya paint. I’ve never had any real problems with either. Easy clean-up, less toxic, they dry faster, and you get a more consistent better quality finish than enamels.
Both MM and Tamiya are good paint, only downside is you can’t mix them with good results. Pollyscale is good too but I believe out of production. Gunze Sangyo is great stuff but I’ve had limited experience with it.
When I painted Games Workshops figures, I used Citadel and Vallejo paints. When I came back to modeling, I went with Vallejo Model line. I exclusively hand brush (don’t have an air brush) and so far, so good.
After hurricane Sandy, I was toying with switching paints, but for the moment, I’m sticking with Vallejo.
(Full disclosure: I do have some paints from MM, and I’m looking to experiment with some Tamiya.)
I use both mm enamels and tamiya acrylics. i never had a problem with mm enamels and they always give me a good finish. rock solid when the fully cure also. mm acrylics are total trash. they have no bite what soever. they need a good prime to set correctly. wish tamiya would add FS codes to their paint line. only thing they really lack.
I try to use acrylics whenever possible. I love Vallejo Model Air paints because they give such a smooth and even finish. Tamiya paints are nice b/c they give a good finish and are very cost efficient. MM Acryl paints do have durability issues but I add a couple drops of future in the mix and that seems to help just as long as you don’t yank the masking tape off and lay down a primer, it should hold up no problem.
Gee, what’s the big deal about enamels, you get great paint with the added benefit of a high. But seriously, I like the way MM enamels mix, spray and stay.
What he said! Gee, in the small amounts of paint that we typically use, I can’t imagine why enamels should be a big problem. I use Model Master and Humbrol enamels almost exclusively and love the way they work. They are easily and effectively thinned and clean up is easy too. And yes, okay, I like the way they smell too![:S]
Well, for many, you hit the problem right on the head, the smell. I vent with opened windows and a fan, but my family complains of the smell. So Acrylic with all their issues are worth it if it means more build time and peace in the house hold.
I also use MM, Tamiya, Vallejo, and Pollyscale. All good stuff, just have to learn their own idiosyncracies.
