Thanks Mark. I actually like Tamiya paints since they behave similar to enamels. Too bad they don’t have an FS or RLM line.
[dto:] I love the Tamiya acrylics, but the color choice is limited. It is my go-to paint if I can use it. I tried Vallejo Air to see what I thought not too long ago, and it did cure to a rubbery finish. I initially thought I did something wrong, but as mentioned, after clear coats, it is fine. I did have dry tip issues, but just recently got some VJ flow improver, which worked VERY well with Tamiya acrylic. I am sure it will help with VJ model air acrylics. Other than dry tip, I liked the way it sprayed.
I just purchased some Mission Model paints for a T-34 I am building, and am dying to try them out.
D
Just to pile on. I tried MM acryls at first. Like their color selection, found that they airbrush ok, brush lousy. I liked Model Air because they come in kits with different colors for different projects (e.g., USAAF PTO, USAAF ETO, late-war Luftwaffe, etc) and their color match seems pretty good. I’ve had best results using them with a little thinner and flow improver. Thinning ratio varies somewhat from color to color. Also agree on Stynelrez primer. I bought a three color pack of it. Use mostly black for priming but sometimes use the grey. They work great.
For my current project, I just bought some Mission Models paint in USN tricolor colors. I’ve read great things about it and am looking forward to using it. I’ll certainly update with impressions. My F6F diorama thread in Aircraft will have pics.
Hey D I keep hearing about Mission Model paints. Feel free to post back what you think of them once you use them.
A point of clerification on my use of Liquitex Flow Aid with Model Air. I didn’t see much of a change in paint behavior, but it had no incompatibity issues like curdling or fish eyes.
At the same time, I didn’t see much change using Model Air flow improver. But if there is a new and better flow improver from Vallejo, I’ll give it a try as when the paint did flow OK, the finish was excellent. I’ll check back in with results.
Patrick
Thanks Patrick.
i use model air as is without thinning. works fine for me. no worries
Hey Patrick, you alluded to a new and better flow improver from Vallejo, and this user would like to chime in and say yes, it’s a horse of a different color. It actually works.
I’ll be waiting with bells on for your take on the new airbrush flow improver.
BTW, I’d thought you’d already used it, sorry for not having insisted that you try it earlier.
I finally got a couple of colors and the thinner. The store did not have the flow improver but I will test the paint tomorrow morning when the garage is not an oven. It turns into one around noon or so. Can’t wait for the summer to go away!
Since you’re concerned about Testors enamel FS line being discontinued, why not make the switch to their acrylic line instead? They’re basically have the same FS numbers as their enamel lines. I use Testors Model Master acrylics exclusively and have ZERO issues using them while airbrushing.
I know some folks don’t like Testors acrylics but it’s worth giving it a try. Work at it until you find what works. Besides, if you’ve used Pollyscale (which by the way, Testors bought out) or even Aeromaster acrylics, I see no reason why Testors acrylics is any different to airbrush with. I thin them until I get the consistency of skim milk.
As Greg mentioned, Vallejo has sort of a vinyl feel compared to most acrylics.
I have used them Sheep. I have several of their RLM colors but can’t get it to work the same as the enamels. I cannot get fine thin mottling without skipping and clogging even when using flow improver, retarder and their thinner.
It sprays ok for regular work but not for finer detail work wihout all the issues I mentioned. With enamels, I thin the paint and dial down the PSI to 8-10 and do thin mottlin all day long without skipping, spitting or clogging.
I finally used the Vallejo Air paint in my Neo and I’m happy to report that it went very well.
I put in about 5 drops of German Yellow and 3 drops of their thinner and mixed it. I found it sprayed very well thru all ranges, from fine to wider coverage.
I then added a drop of Winsor & Newton flow improver and noticed better response when spraying thin mottling. I also noticed it sprays better thin lines at about 25-30 PSI. I still can dial down to 10 PSI but the lines get a bit wider cause I need to open up the trigger to get the paint flowing but no issues at the higher PSI.
Very little tip dry. I had a LT dipped q tip handy and used it maybe 5 times in 20 minutes to wipe the ab tip.
Cleaning was a breeze using LT from Home Depot. ALL of the paint was removed from the ab with about 3 flushes. It takes me longer to clean with enamels so I was pleasently surprised. The LT does a fantastic job at removing both enamel and acrylic paint.
This is a learning experienece and some more practice is in order for me but seems to work well for now.
Good for you, Ernie, glad you like it. In my case I used their thinner, but only 2 drops thinner to 10 drops paint. And my supply was back about 2 or 3 years ago, maybe the newer thinner does work better. I’ll give it another go, I really liked the handiness of the little bottles. There is a Michael’s near me, I’ll pick up some Windsor and Newton flow improver, to compare with Vallejo’s.
Your 262 looks great. Another fine job.
Patrick
Thanks Patrick. Glad you like how the old Monogram kit came out.