discussion What Are Model Colour - Acrylic/Enamel

[Guest]

Ive always, since a kid, used Humbrol paints. Perhaps because most of my kits as a kid were Airfix, but I suppose you temd to go towards what ever you used first. (Im probably not unique in that I know most of the numbers in my head)

I know however prefer acylic. Im a bit lazy i that its less worry with cleaning up afterwards, and a damn site easier if you spilll in your clothes.

Last week popped along to a local shop and got airbrush etc etc and because they didnt have humbrol enamel I bought one tub/pot/squeezy thingy of model air after John at SMS advised and have to admit Im a fan.

So, whereever possible Ill still buy humbrol acrylics, but Ill get Model Air if its not available in Humbrol.

However, Ive found a paint that I cant get in Humbrol Acrylic or convert to Model Air, but I can get a conversion to Model Colour, so Im considering it as a 3rd choice, with the 4th choice being humbrol enamel

So, Is Model COlour an acrylic or Enamel and what do you guys think. Its made by the same people that do model air and they seem pretty good.

TIA

(O, paints arrived today so Im i a position to start on my Growler, so expect piccies in the next few days - Actually I have lots of new kits arriving but you know what flea bay is like - Expected delivery Wed 5 Nov 2014, actual delivery somewhere in the 23rd century)

 

[Dave W]

Vallejo model air and model colour are both acrylic paints.Model air is already thinned for airbrush use.Though I sometimes find they still need a bit more thinning even for my 0.5 nozzle.i personally don't have a preference.I use Vallejo acrylics and also Humbrol and Xtracolour enamels.Depends what I have or can get hold of at the time

 

[Guest]

Vallejo model air and model colour are both acrylic paints.Model air is already thinned for airbrush use.Though I sometimes find they still need a bit more thinning even for my 0.5 nozzle.i personally don't have a preference.I use Vallejo acrylics and also Humbrol and Xtracolour enamels.Depends what I have or can get hold of at the time

Great, sounds like the answer I was looking for. aka if you are happy with Model Air then Model colour are worth giving a shot?

Cheers. Checking my bank balance and praying Im able to put an order in today as we speak.

 

[Guest]

I can't spray Model Colour through my 0.3 nozzle Penny. I tried flow enhancers & every trick I could think of, but MC always clogged my airbrush.

Our resident Vallejo expert said the pigments in MC are not fine enough to allow for decent spraying?

I've gone back to enamels!

Cheers

Patrick

 

[Guest]

Penelope just to explain.

Model is better for painting with a hand brush and for figures or small areas it has a good coverage. I have not had much success airbrushing even after thinning an enormous amount.

Model air has the pigments are ground much finer to make it more suitable for airbrushing.

If you thin use Vallejo thinner. The thinner is the one used in the paint its self. If you use water you will lose the inherent qualities of the paint as the Vallejo thinners has agents for stickability and also one for lubrication to help the paint in airbrushing.

Also add that Model Air I have found is nice for hand brushing where Model would perhaps lose detail. For instance adding shadows to a uniform to bring out the folds.

Laurie

 

[BarryW]

Laurie is spot on.

That said I have had success in spraying Model Colour with a 0.4 needle heavilty thinned at over 50%.

My 'Frank' underside and the coockpit were painted with Model Colour, dont have a good pic of the underside as such but a photo is attached anyway.... It is a lot trickier to spray though and maybe it also depends on the 'qualities' of the particular colour you are using.

View attachment 91726

View attachment 204749

 

[Guest]

Thank you Laurie and BarryW, comments appreciated.

Most of my work is done with a brush anyway so they will be fine. Im glad it was mentioned to use a thinner rather than water. If I did need to use it in an air brush I may well have used water

Thinners will be ordered next time I buy something (Unfortunately Ive just placed a MASSIVE (well for me) order with John. Cant wait to post it in the recetly aquired thread, Ive really gone to town and treated myself

Stupid Question. I assume you can use Velejo thinners with all types of acrylic paints, such as humbrol and tamiya?

 

[Guest]

Thank you Laurie and BarryW, comments appreciated.Most of my work is done with a brush anyway so they will be fine. Im glad it was mentioned to use a thinner rather than water. If I did need to use it in an air brush I may well have used water

Thinners will be ordered next time I buy something (Unfortunately Ive just placed a MASSIVE (well for me) order with John. Cant wait to post it in the recetly aquired thread, Ive really gone to town and treated myself

Stupid Question. I assume you can use Velejo thinners with all types of acrylic paints, such as humbrol and tamiya?

Not all acrylic paints Penelope. Some use a lacquer type thinner of which I think Tamiya is one. Humbrol better to use their thinner or Vallejo but test first as otherwise if not compatible you will have porridge for breakfast.

Laurie

 

[The Migrant]

Laurie's correct, Tamiya acrylics can be thinned with lacquer thinner. In fact they make their own lacquer thinner which is far less 'hot' than the regular stuff (which will melt styrene). Gunze Mr Hobby acrylics can also be thinned with lacquer thinner.

I'm a big fan of using the paint manufacturers' proprietary thinners. I know it's sometimes more expensive but figure they know the paint formulation better than anyone. Xtracrylix is a prime example; I use their brand-name thinner and get consistently smooth results, but I've tried water (as some modellers recommend) and have had nothing but trouble.

 

[Guest]

Absolutely do not mix Tamiya & Vallejo- together they make a thick gel that's almost impossible to get out of an airbrush - ask me how I know

 

[colin m]

Thank you Laurie and BarryW, comments appreciated.Most of my work is done with a brush anyway so they will be fine. Im glad it was mentioned to use a thinner rather than water. If I did need to use it in an air brush I may well have used water

Thinners will be ordered next time I buy something (Unfortunately Ive just placed a MASSIVE (well for me) order with John. Cant wait to post it in the recetly aquired thread, Ive really gone to town and treated myself

Stupid Question. I assume you can use Velejo thinners with all types of acrylic paints, such as humbrol and tamiya?

I often use water to thin 'Model Color' (their spelling not mine) and it works fine. However, the paint does have to be mixed up well before using. I wonder if this is where some people have trouble spraying 'Model colour'

 

[monica]

ok Patrick,were you playing Doctor Frankenstein with your paints lol,

 

[Guest]

ok Patrick,were you playing Doctor Frankenstein with your paints lol,

I do like to experiment now & then Monica!

 

[Guest]

I use both both Model Air and Model Colour in my 0.3 Neo airbrush no problems with no clogging at all. Dont use Vallejo thinner as its utter rubbish. Either use UMP or as i do use a homebrew and also car screen wash works awesome it is also the best to use as a cleaner. It will give most paints a run for there money. but as others have said sometimes Enamel works best depending on the look you are going for.

 

[Guest]

I have just bought my first set of Vallejo Model Air due to the tips I found on this forum, these chaps have not been wrong with product advice before!

 

[Guest]

I use both both Model Air and Model Colour in my 0.3 Neo airbrush no problems with no clogging at all. Dont use Vallejo thinner as its utter rubbish. Either use UMP or as i do use a homebrew and also car screen wash works awesome it is also the best to use as a cleaner. It will give most paints a run for there money. but as others have said sometimes Enamel works best depending on the look you are going for.

Funny you say that, John advised me to use Screenwash as a "between colours" cleaner, but said to use a good product for an "End of session cleaner". I mentioned it in a local shop and he winched at first then couldnt disagree

 

[Ian M]

I spray Vallejo Model Color acrylics with out to much hassle through a 0.25 I thin with their airbrush thinners.

I find that the finish is good and with the correct thinner/paint ratio they do not dry to quick on the needle either.

Ian M

 

[Guest]

On screenwash I would be careful to make sure the type used is non toxic.

I tried the stuff "once" which resulted in a headache of headaches. Then I read the label on the back of the container.

Laurie

 

[Guest]

On screenwash I would be careful to make sure the type used is non toxic.I tried the stuff "once" which resulted in a headache of headaches. Then I read the label on the back of the container.

Laurie

Toxic screenwash Laurie? are you sure

it wasn't antifreeze?!

 

[Guest]

Toxic screenwash Laurie? are you sureit wasn't antifreeze?!

No Patrick not antifreeze but I read at the time some additive is put in "some" screen washes to prevent freezing in the winter. I threw away the stuff after my experienced symptoms I had so cannot quote the "watch out warning notices" Certainly enough to put me off plus the headache and nausea. Apart from the experienced symptoms I thought it not wise to use the stuff. I decided that all this stuff flying around in the air was not for me. Not to forget that the additives may be acceptable, I suppose, when normally the screen washer is diluted approx 15 times for its proper use.

Laurie