Best acrylic paints?

[chris watton]

For years, I have used Humbrol enamels and DIY spray enamels. However, I want to start learning more about other aspects of the hobby, such as realism and weathering and face-painting. (the prototype models I do for work have to be immaculate, which gets a little boring....). In order to achieve this, I have bought a number of different types of plastic kits to try out new methods of finishing. I have also bought a badger airbrush and compressor. I know how 'messy' enamels can be, so I would like try out some water-based paints (and also use for my actual job)

I have looked at the Vallejo and Tamiya range. Are these the best or are they all much of a muchness?

[perdu]

I have just had a nightmare with Vallejos

Painted a thin coat of "airbrushable" grey on my next Wessex but when it was being sprayed the airbrush simply clogged up

The paint itself sprayed nicely and covered the areas I'd already prepared with Milliput and filler (to disclose the "look" of the model) nicely but the actual pajnt filled every place inside the airbrush

Seems that Vallejo advise their own brand of thinners

And it is definite that I need and must get, lots more pracccise with them

But they are nice paints and their range is really surprising

Humbrol and Tamiya Acrylics seem to airbrsh ok

The cardinal rules

Paint with really really thin paint

do't be scared to use paint as thin as water

DO be scared of CLOGGING in the airbrush

it is a pain in the proverbial to clean out after


(Guess who has to go into a chilly place tomorrow to check "operationally" whether the clean up operation was a success?)

[chris watton]

Thanks, Perdu

I know the paint has to be thin - but I didn't realise I had to use the manufacturer's thinners! (I go through thinners like our kid's go through milk!)

Instead of using flat colours, I am going to try to paint a figurehead with a realistic face. I ordered a 'faces painting set', aloong with some other colours:

http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/vallejo-mode...

How about this for cleaning the airbrush?

http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/vgt2000-ultr...

Although I was assuming I could use ordinary tap water....

[Eric Mc]

I converted almost completely to acrylics a couple of years ago. My favourite brand is the Hannants Xtracrylic range which seem to me to be pretty accurate as far as authentic aircraft colours go.

I use Xtracrylic thiners with them so I do as I'm told as far as the manufacturer is concerned.

I also use Tamiya, Citadel, Revell and, on occasion, Humbrol acrylics - still using the Xtracrylic thinner - and so far I haven't had any real issues with clogging.

I use a Harder and Steenbeck brush which is absolutely lovely and seems to work pretty much flawlessly weach and every time I go to use it.

[geoffers360]

I use Tamiya acrylics almost exclusively (occasional humbrol). I thin these with a few drops of IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) from the local chemist and a few drops of retarder (e.g. Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Fluid Retarder). Works really well and a lot cheaper than the Tamiya branded thinners.

[chris watton]

Eric Mc said:

I converted almost completely to acrylics a couple of years ago. My favourite brand is the Hannants Xtracrylic range which seem to me to be pretty accurate as far as authentic aircraft colours go.

I use Xtracrylic thiners with them so I do as I'm told as far as the manufacturer is concerned.

I also use Tamiya, Citadel, Revell and, on occasion, Humbrol acrylics - still using the Xtracrylic thinner - and so far I haven't had any real issues with clogging.

I use a Harder and Steenbeck brush which is absolutely lovely and seems to work pretty much flawlessly weach and every time I go to use it.

Thanks for that, Eric. I had a quick look at these paints and found a review - they don't like isopropylene alcohol thinners, but I would have assumed that that type of thinner would have caused problems with this type of paint anyway:

http://misc.kitreview.com/tools/xtracrylicseviewbg...

Hannants haven't got the set in stock right now:

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/XAALL

I have this brush, as it contains three types of nozzles and needles - sometimes I need to spray parts that are well over a metre long..

http://www.shesto.co.uk/product_info.php?products_...

I shall have a play with some of the different paints, and see which are best suited.

[dr_gn]

I use Tamiya, Revell Aqua (the Satin Black is fantastic), Vallejo Air and Citadel. Use only Vallejo Thinners for Vallejo, IPA or Tamiya for Tamiya, and water or IPA for Revell Aqua. I find if you use water as a thinner it tends to bead the paint on the model due to surface tension.

Here is a very useful thinning guide:

http://www.modelairplaneinternational.com/a%20PDF%...

My tips would be:

Don't spray enamels and acrylics in the same session - clean the airbrush completely between types or else it just clogs.

Thin the paint to a milky consistency, and flash off the first thin coats with a hairdryer.

Make sure the paint isn't drying before hitting the model surface - it will look like sandpaper, and it's a common issue with fast drying acrylics.

Also, I've started filtering the thinned paint through a fine gauze tea strainer into the airbrush. I've not had any clogging problems whatsoever since doing that. In fact most of the problems I've had with airbrushing have been solved by simply filetering paint before use.

[chris watton]

OK, an update, I ordered some sample sets of Vallejo paints (a face painting set and a couple of others), and liked working with the paint - and no horrible odours that give me slight headaches!
I have just ordered almost £130 worth of paints to replace the Humbrol equivalents – but there seems to be much more choice in shades – 7 shades of yellow, blues, reds, different gold type shades. Am hoping these will add much more ‘depth’ to photo etched friezes and decoration on the models, rather than just gold leaf type paints - which sometimes I feel makes the finished model look like some kind of 'bling-fest, rather than an accurate scale model.

I got everything from here:

http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/

They seem very good, both in price and service.

ETA - Not sure I got the hang of face painting yet, though - the figurehead I used to practice on looks more like a perma-tanned Z-list 'celebrity'!

Edited by chris watton on Saturday 3rd December 12:45

[perdu]

That's a good point about the Vallejos, no stinky "you have been painting poison again" noises from t'gaffer

These days she's a nightmare when I'm working on a model

[i]Purrups I ought to ship her out to a hotel on modelling nights['i]

I envy you all that paint in one go too

My face painting isnt exactly what I'd like, which is why I rarely bother with crew on my models.

Anyway, I like the Vallejos and hope you have a good result with them

I miss the proper, "smelly" Humbrols of yesteryear, especially their Authentics.