OK, I’m ready to build and paint my first models in about 25 years. I bought alot of the Tamiya Acrylics to use on the models. The only paints I have ever used back in the day was the old Testor Enamels. What do I need to know to use these effectively? Is there a “How To” or Primer on using these types of paints anywhere? Speaking of primer, should or do I need to prime the model first? THey are standard plastic models. A Tamyia Spitfire Mk.I 1/48 and Revell Spit Mk.II 1/48. LAter I’ll move up to my 1/72 B-36 that’s been sitting in the corner for the past 7 years.
I bought the cheap Testor/Aztec Wal-Mart airbrush set to start out with, prior to that I had the old pressure can stuff(25 years ago), and alot of brushes for painting. I’ve read alot of posts reguarding thinning the paint using Alcohol and/or water for the airbrush, that doesn’t sound too hard, just a little practice to figure out what works. What else do I need to know?
Ross (Triarius) pretty much has Tamiya acrylics covered in the following recent threads:
Tamiya Acrylics vs. MM Acrylics ???
Tinning Tamiya acrylics! (Should be “Thinning”, but the title was taken directly from the thread “as is” [:D])
There are many other threads regarding the use of Tamiya acrylics.
One thing which is very important to note: If you have picked up a bottle of Tamiya “Flat Base” (X-21), be aware that this is not a flat coat. It’s not actually paint - rather, it’s a flattening agent which is intended to be added to a gloss colour to make it “flat”. Many people make the mistake of thinking it’s a flat coat and simply thin it and spray. This usually results in a model covered in sticky translucent white goo. It can be mixed with Tamiya Clear Gloss (X-20) (or Future) at approximately 4 parts gloss to 1 part flat base to make a clear flat cloat.
Completely irrelavent if you’re using an airbrush. I seal my figures painted in acrylics with a heavy coat of Testor’s Dullcote laquer with no problem and this is a lot “hotter” than enamels.
You can brush paint as well as long as you’ve allowed the first coat to dry thouroughly.
A couple words on Tamiya. They are almost impossible to brush paint without arcane and alchemic mixes of just the right amount of their thinner or acrylic retarder and /or water or alcohol. Their colors are also not matched to any color standards as are model master.