discussion AK Real Colours.

[Ian M]

OK A while ago I bought some AK Real colors Lacquer paints. I quite liked them. Easy to use, Nice squat clear, GLASS JAR packaging. Nice easy grip/open tops. Easy to see the colour. Easy to use.
I ordered some more the other day as there were a few colours I needed.
What the heck? They have changed the packaging. Now in a twice as high plastic dropper type bottle that is that foggy white colour. Not a happy bunny. When did they go over to these? WHY did they go over to them? I spent an age sorting out my paints and putting them in drawers to keep the sun off them. These are now to high and cant be in anything.
Just to make it even better, on two of them the caps had been screwed down so tight that the dip nozzle was split on one and broken on the other.
Why cant they just leave things alone!!! Grr
Rant over.

 

[AlexBB]

Split nozzel's on these new AK RC dropper bottles seems to be par for the course!

Out of 16 colours I have so far purchased 9 have had split tips, so 56% failure rate. All paints were new and 12 of those were purchased in the boxed sets so had never been touched by anyone other than me when I opened them for the first time. Luckily I did managed to get some spare tips from a LHS but I doubt I will be able to get anymore in future, was just lucky they had some due to a problem another customer had encountered.

The packaging quality seems poor and like you TBH I did prefer the glass jars. Hopefully AK will resolve this problem though I would guess they will have 100's of thousands of those tips in stock so unless they do acknowledge it as a quality control issue I guess they will be out there for a looooong time!!

 

[Ian M]

I was migrating away From Vallejo for this exact reason. Nozzles that split, get clogged, splutter a squirt everywhere (oh er misses). I have even had one or two that have ejected the whole nozzle and delivered the whole content of an almost full bottle in my lap. Found the AK lacquer paints in a jar and was pleased.
Oh well.
@John do you get many customer comments about AK's new plastic bottles? My paint pusher here in DK said that they have had a lot of negative comments about them.
They will be 'suggesting' a return to the glass jars...

 

[yak face]

Ive just started experimenting with these Ian , like yourself I really like them . The ones ive got are in the plastic bottle , so far ive not experienced any nozzle splitting but its something I’ll keep an eye out for . Sounds like the glass bottles were much better , hopefully theyll take notice of any customer feedback and sort the problems .

 

[Geoffers]

I’ve been using them for a while and am a fan of them.

They started off with the glass jars which were great for all the reasons you state Ian.

Then if I remember correctly they revamped the range and changed to the plastic dropper bottles.

Easier to ship apparently, lighter and don’t break so easily in transit. Not sure how Tamiya and Mr Colour manage

Geoff

 

[John]

do you get many customer comments about AK's new plastic bottles

I don’t think we have had much feedback either way, we get a lot of people coming back for more, we have only had 1 that has had a split nozzle, but that seems to happen to all bottles like that, Ammo, Vallejo and AK 3rd gen, so it’s not unique to RC

 

[Ian M]

I don’t think we have had much feedback either way, we get a lot of people coming back for more, we have only had 1 that has had a split nozzle, but that seems to happen to all bottles like that, Ammo, Vallejo and AK 3rd gen, so it’s not unique to RC

Hm, Here in little Denmark people are more disappointed that they have gone over to plastic squirte bottles and not in glass jars anymore. I have used Vallejo for a good few years, so I am well aware that the odd nozzle splits from time to time. (I save and clean the used up ones as replacements... but four in as many years. )

 

[Ian M]

I found out today that when you shake these, the lids fill with paint and when you take the lid off, you get a hand full of paint.
Avoiding these like the plague.

 

[AlexBB]

found out today that when you shake these, the lids fill with paint and when you take the lid off, you get a hand full of paint.
Avoiding these like the plague.

Yup...same happened to me...they are ok if the tip is not split but if it is, its just a recipe for disaster!!

I really hope AK recognise this issue and supply replacement tips for the bottles... even if they were something you need to buy TBH. A quid or two for a pack of ten or something similar is cheaper than the grief and costs of driving back to a shop to get an exchange!

I got nowhere with one of the suppliers I purchased paints from and I got nowhere trying to email AK...

The response I got back from AK customer services was as follows, basically go back to the shop where you bought it....I did and they said contact AK!!... just gave up!!!!!!

"Hi Alexander,

Ooops.. on this case, the shop/distributor that sold you this product they must to offer you the best solution as possible as its customer as (refund/exchange/return) on warranty services.

We regret to communicate you that we cannot accept any return/claim/exchange by products that are not being selling by us (through of our webshop offers). Next times, remember to check our webshop to order AK products because on these cases, we usually offer our assistance best and faster way as possible.
Thanks for trusting us.
Have a nice day."

Hopefully sufficient shops give them feedback about the poor quality of the packaging and maybe they might take notice.