Looking for suggestions on my first set of Model Color paints. I’ve seen lots of choices on Amazon but not sure what would be the best choice for mostly WWII Allied/Axis kits and Automotive models.
Thanks for the input!
I have only used Vallejo primer, but I do know that Model Color is mainly for brush painting, and will need to be thinned to use in an airbrush. Model Air is for airbrushing, and I have seen several posts of folks who love it, and a few who do not. I usually buy paints based on my next project. Pick a kit and see what it needs.
Got it. Thanks!
[dto:]
Personally I am not impressed by Vallejo paints. Aside from the wide color choices (some are quite dubious though), and handbrushing decently (for an acrylic), I don’t see the reason for the fawning by so many over this product. I’ve tried it and have had better results with other paints. But, if your wanting to try one of their sets, I suggest you find one that matches your subject interest areas. A WWII RAF color set is no good to you if you build modern Soviet armor, right?
Again, I have not tried Vallejo paints. I spray acrylics only due to ventilation issues. I have impressed with Tamiya acrylics. Even as a newbie, I find them to be very easy to work with, and have given me good results. If you want to see the types of paints (and other products available, like washes and pigments), check out Megahobby.com, Scalehobbyist.com., Squadron.com and/or Spruebrothers.com. All excellent vendors.
I’m interested mostly because I am new to airbrushing and I’ve read they’re easy to airbrush with. I want to take at least one variable - paint mixing/consistency - out of the equation while I’m learning to airbrush.
Thanks for the input!
And airbrushing acrylics certainly has more variables. Their Model Air paints are supposedly able to be airbrushed straight from the bottle. That is simplicity in itself. As many acrylics require flow agents and retarders in addition to thinner for airbrushing. And getting those ratios right is a matter of trial and error.
But… I can’t speak firsthand about using the Model Air line because I never have. Hopefully somebody else here can provide their experience with that product.
[quote user=“PontiacRich”]
stikpusher
Personally I am not impressed by Vallejo paints. Aside from the wide color choices (some are quite dubious though), and handbrushing decently (for an acrylic), I don’t see the reason for the fawning by so many over this product. I’ve tried it and have had better results with other paints. But, if your wanting to try one of their sets, I suggest you find one that matches your subject interest areas. A WWII RAF color set is no good to you if you build modern Soviet armor, right?
I’m interested mostly because I am new to airbrushing and I’ve read they’re easy to airbrush with. I want to take at least one variable - paint mixing/consistency - out of the equation while I’m learning to airbrush.
Thanks for the input!
[/quote I have been AB for less than 2 years. I have a Iwata Neo which I first tried out with Vallejo paints with bad results because of bad info. (Do not thin with ANY alcohol). So I went back to AB with enamels which made AB a chore from the pain of switching colors to the cleaning of the brush. Hated It! Last month after reading the reviews of VJ Model Air, I bought a 16 bottle set from Amazon for $50. Couldn’t be happier! Already purchased a 8 bottle USN set and plan on buying soon a USAAF 16 bottle set. That should keep me in stock for a few years with an odd bottle bought here and there. There are better acrylic paints out there, Tamiya? Humbol?, but for the price and ease of use, Vallejo Model Air has been a breath of fresh air. I guess in the end it all comes down to personal preference.
If you are airbrushing I cant say enough about Vallejo Model Air. They go down well, have no smell and easy cleanup. My only complaint is they really need a clear coat because i have had chipping issues. Otherwise, they are my paint of choice
I haven’t really had any problem with the way Vallejo Air goes down as much as I have the constant AB clogging and having to stop regularly to clean the needle off even with a flow enhancer. Other than that they go down smooth as an eggshell and they offer a wide range of colors. NOTE: DON’T cut Vallejo with Windex. It’ll result in a gummy disaster. Use either the Vallejo thinner or MM’s acrylic paint thinner.
I am not that big a fan of model air myself. I got the 4 colours i need for German armour but found it to thin. I won’t be useing any more once i have used those up. I would suggest buying a couple of colours needed for a certain kit and seeing what you think.
As for model colour, i really like that for brush painting and am in the process of replacing my tamiya paints with it for that. But as mentioned, it needs thinning before it can be airbrushed.
So many folks have different opinions on Vallejo paints. One thing is NEVER, EVER thin Vallejo with alcohol!!! Otherwise you’ll spend most of your time cleaning your airbrush than using it.
You mentioned you use acrylics due to health issues. While I do understand the reasoning for acrylics but do you own an airbrush spray booth?
I use Vallejo and Model Air mostly for ships. If you are going to thin any paint I would suggest using the manufactures thinners which is designed specifically for their chemistry. I tried thinning Vallejo with water and alcohol before and it was a mess.
I understand your health concerns believe me, but if you’re looking for something for cars I wouldn’t use Vallejo at all. you can’t beat lacquers and enamels for a car finish. For Armor I will prime with an enamel and go over that with and acrylic. [2cnts]
Some pros and cons of Vallejo Model Air I have experienced.
Pros:
Sprays straight of of bottle as advertised (though some use a few drops of airbrush thinner…I have gone both ways)
I like the little bottles. Drop by drop control = very little waste. Makes for easy mixing (if you want to thin)
Great color selection (as mentioned by Stikpusher)
Decent availability. Some acrylic brands are constantly out of stock or hard to find, and personally I won’t play hide and seek with a consumable.
Lays down nicely, IMO.
Cons:
Dry tip (this is the ‘clogging’ as mentioned by some friends above). Vallejo’s relatively new flow improver has pretty much eliminated that issue, and IMO Vallejo Air plus Vallejo flow enhancer makes Vallejo Air as easy to spray as Tamiya. So it’s not really a con if you use the flow improvemer.
From Vallejo’s ‘auxiliary products’ page…
Airbrush Flow Improver
Medium designed to improve the flow and delay the drying of paint on the needle while airbrushing. It is recommended to ad 1-2 drops of Flow Improver to 10 drops of paint in the cup of the airbrush.
Presentation:
71.262: Bottle de 17 ml.
71.362: Bottle de 32 ml.
71.462: Bottle de 60 ml.
71.562: Bottle de 200 ml.
Sprayed finish may feel ‘rubbery’ and never quite cured. I have found this to differ with different colors, and get worse with too heavy coats (which unfortunately for me I have a habit of doing). This drives some folks nuts, and though I’m not crazy about it I’m going to clear coat everything anyway, and the clear coat negates the issue.
Comment:
I would recommend a good primer always. Otherwise, Vallejo will scratch off fairly easily.
Have fun experimenting!
I’m not sure I said I had health issues…maybe someone else did in this post. [8-)]
But yes, I do own a spray booth.
Got it.
Thanks for the input!
Great info. Thanks!
What is a good Primer?
Primers I can recommend from personal experience:
Gunze Mr Surfacer, Tamiya White Surface Primer, and Humbrol Enamel.
Primer that you should stay away from- Testors Acrylic. It has the same adhesion and durability issues of the rest of their acrylic line.
Great…Thanks!
If you want easy paints to work with then go with enamel. I use MM enamels 90% of the time. I have a few acrylics that I use for specific reasons (used as a barrier for oil washes) but I find I have better control with enamels than with acrylics. I can thin my enamel and dial down my regulator to 5-6 Psi and do hair thin lines all day long. I can’t do that with acrylics, specially the tip dry is an issue.
I have to say that Tamiya acrylics behave closer to enamels and spray much better than most acrylics.
I also echo stik’s statement about MM primer which is junk and will not adhere, lifting when masking tape is pulled up.