I’m getting back into modeling after a hiatus of about …oh…fifteen years, and I have some pretty basic questions for you all. I’m trying deparately not to repeat mistakes I made when I used to model, but I think I’m heading down that path again.
My main question is paint. First thing I did was buy Testors enamal. Should I have used something else? I’m having a heckuva time with it globbing up (even after shaking the thing harder than that 5 o’clock martini).
Is water-based paint better? I can only assume there’s been improvements in the last 15 years.
Thanks in advance for any an all help.
My model, btw, is the Revell/Monogram 1/48 B17G. Saw good reviews on the kit, so it seemed like a good place to start. I’m a fan of the bombers.
[#welcome] to FSM.
The Testor’s enamels do need thinning but I am not sure how much. Model Master enamels are a little more user friendly but are also more expensive. I mostly use Polly S acrylics and have used Tamiya Acrylics with no problems except some flaking from bad prep on my part.
Head down to the Paint forum and look around, most of your questions should be answered.
Try adding a little lacquer thinner (yes, lacquer) to your Testors Enamel. It will smooth it out and extend the shelf life. I use a wide range of paints including Polly Scale and Tamiya acrylics and like Gunze-Sangyo acrylics also. For natural metal finishes I use Alclad lacquers. I also use Testors and Model Master enamels.
I got away from the Testor’s Enamels years ago. I use mostly Tamiya Acrylics with good success and a little Model Master Acrylic thrown in for colour selection. I find that they are much easier to use and the added cost is nullified by the exteded coverage provided.
My wife likes the Tamiya Acrylics better than the Testors enamels. The last kit she did, she used the Testors. For the kit she’s working on now, she’s using the Tamiya acrylics and she likes them a lot.