Hello From Valpo-Indiana

Welcome to the Forums!  Glad to have you aboard!

I use Vallejo Model Air acrylics.  I have had very good results with them.  They are ready to use and the clean-up is a snap with Windex.  I have also used (and still do) the craft acrylics that are available at places like Jo-Ann fabrics and A.C. Moore.  I'm not sure, but I think that Michaels has them too. They usually go for about $1 to $1.50ea. and at times they have sales with 3 for $1.  I went in one time and hit that sale and walked out with 30 bottles for $10 (without a coupon). There are a few minor problems with the craft paints.  You have to search the racks for the colors that you are looking for (and there are hundreds of them) and you will have to learn to dilute them with distilled water if you are using an airbrush.  No big problem though. They give good results too.  The real reason I switched from the craft paints to the Vallejo paints is their being ready to use in airbrushes.  Just roll the bottle between your hands to mix, take the cap off,  drop as many drops that you need into the paint cup and spray.  When done, run some Windex through the airbrush followed by a couple drops of distilled water and you're either finished or ready for the next color.

Hope that this helps you.  If you have other questions, just let me know.  Always glad to help.

Jim 

Welcome to the forums!  Having your son interested in models and doing them with you is the best thing this hobby has!  That is awesome!

As for the paints, Jim's (fox) comments are spot on.  Vallejo has an "Air" variety which is awesome for the AB and a regular brand which is very good for hand brushing.  You can do both AB and hand brushing with both, but they seem to do best in the area they were designed for.  I also use a lot of Tamiya acrylics.  They too are great out of the bottle to the AB, but can be tricky hand brushing.  And the craft acrylics are great too, but like fox said, you need to play with them to use in the AB.  I'd suggest getting a couple of each and experiment.  See what works best for you and your son.

Again, welcome and hope this helps some.

Eagle90

welcome to the forums

Thank you everyone for your help!!!

When I saw the videos on U-Tube with modelers using Vallejo paints I was very interested as it looked like I wouldn't need to have an exhaust booth and they wouldn't smell up the house.

It is winter here and very cold and the paints I DO have( Compucolor-precision-and Humbrol) although really great paints need chemical solvents and I usually would spray outside.

BUT with These Vallejo's I could use them right out of the bottle something I like because it cuts down on mixing and preparation time and I can keep my son's attention PLUS it doesn't look so intimidating to him to use an AirBrush.

I also like what you all said that they brush on well too!!!

Thank you ALL sop much for the information and help

Welcome to the Forum!  Used to be a Hoosier myself, but lived in Fort Wayne on the other side of the state.