discussion Tamiya acrylic paint

[Guest]

I am getting back into modeling after about 15 years from doing it as a kid. I bought a few starter models but my biggest issue is what paint. I remember liking humbrol enamel paints but was advised by the local shop to try acrylics. I bought a bunch of tamiya paint but when I went to paint it seems very thin and runny hand painting. I did stir it up as directed but was very disappointed. Any suggestions as I am of the mind to exchange what I didn't open for enamels. I would normally be building ships or tanks.

 

[Guest]

Some of today's paints are designed specifically for airbrush use straight from the pot and are much thinner as I understand it, is it possible you may have bought this type?

I'm not an airbrusher so am not sure of the exact details ... Someone else that know more than my limited knowledge may have a better insite to your little problem.

Welcome to the forum by the way, plenty of advice and friendly banter going on ...... Just join in where you feel like it

 

[spanner570]

Welcome to the forum.

The bottom line is....Tamiya acrylics are no good for brush painting...swop them for Vallejo Model Colour.

I only brush paint too, and these paints are superb for brush work. I thin them ever so slightly with tap water.

I use Humbrol enamels for detail and thin these with turpentine.

Steve (stona) on here just uses enamels for all his painting.

Ron

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the feedback and greetings. I am going to go exchange what I didn't open then as I'm going to only be brushing at this point. I did see the Vallejo brand at the shop but there didn't seem to be many options. The other beans I did see was model master but I believe be that was enamel like humbrol.

 

[spanner570]

Glad we could help....This is the best forum for just that..

One thing to bear in mind, if you do get Vallejo, make sure it's Model Colour....The alternative, Model Air is for spray application.

Ron

 

[Guest]

So I exchanged the paints I hadn't opened for humbrol enamels. I was happier with them over the tamiya although it's still not great but that's more my skill at this point. I guess it could be the mold as it was a cheap little kit to but I doubt it.

A few other things I have been reading about but do wonder about are:

Primers, do you guys use them always , never,

When painting how much do you tend to thin the paint. In regards to paint do you dip right into the can its in or do you extract it to something else.

Cleaning the brushes, I bought a bottle of restores cleaner but I would think it will need to be replaced often if I'm cleaning them directly in that bottle. I have read some people buy big bottles of lacquer thinner.

I probably have many more questions about actual brush technique and how much paint to apply at a time but I don't want to run on and on

Thanks again

 

[Dave W]

I've been using white spirit for the last couple of years for thinning enamels and cleaning brushes in.Works great and I also clean my airbrush with it after spraying enamels.Bought a 5 litre pot of it from B&Q.Should last a long time and works out much cheaper than those tiny bottles of Humbrol thinners.

 

[Guest]

Yes, I too have just got back into modelling, and used to Humbrol enamels - but they seem to be poor today compared with years ago with the pigments being more wishy-washy. I have tried acrylics, and they seem much the same.

I fear Health and Safety measures are to blame - but I will try and source Vallejo, and have a go with them,

but this set back in the quality of paint is putting me off my return to model building and getting a finish I'm happy with,

- but I'll be looking in the Tutorials for advice.