Standard vs Gift Sets

 Ditto on the spraycan!!! I still use them for the basic colors, red, blue, grey, black, white. They don't get a lot of use (I'm an aircraft guy), but they end up being cheaper than buying a little bottle each time. If you're doing cars, you can find factory colors in spraycans at your local auto parts store, around $4/5 each. Enough to do a couple models with. For brushes, you don't need to spend $15 on one. A couple bucks is ok. 1 fine brush (like a 5/0) and a slightly larger one (like a #2 or 3). It does take a lot of time and trial-n-error to get things nice looking, but, you're starting off in the right place!!!  Welcome!

           FERMIS

Since you're just starting out, why not use a rattle can for the main body painting? An airbrush set up is expensive. It might be a better idea to wait until you know how committed to the hobby you really are.
The hand brush lacks only in the ability to lay down a smooth, auto-type paint job. I use them and the occasional aforementioned rattle can as I don't own an airbrush, even after many years.
Regards, PWB.

Thanks for the replies.

I totally agree that some new brushes will need to be bought. Then again, I also agree that investing in a cheap airbrush would potentially be a better option, especially since I haven't painted any models for quite some time. I need to look at some tutorials about using airbrushes but guess I really need to get my hands on one and have a go. 

About the paint thinner, where exactly will this need to be used? Bit of browsing around and it seems that it's essential when using airbrushes i.e. to get the right consistancy and also to finish a paint job off? 

Now I gotta find some cash - hard to come by when you're a student :) .

- jamie 

 

 

 

 

jamo. wrote:

Rob Gronovius wrote: It's often the same exact kit, but a gift set includes rudimentary assembly tools such as glue, a few paints and maybe some sanding sticks or a knife. It is designed to give the gift set to a person who may not model and thus not have the basic modeling tools in his or her possession. Normally, the novice would not paint the body of the vehicle and may get black and silver paint for some minor details. Ah I understand now. It seems the sets I'm looking at have the minor details done, however painting needs to be done on the main parts i.e. that ferrari model, the appropiate red is provided meaning I'll need to paint the body. Thats kinda confused me now seeing I'd rather not skip corners on models I'm wanting to put real effort into.  I'm fine with constructing a model neatly but as I guess with most modellers, the hardest part is painting with great accuracy and finish. I've been looking at some  articles around the site and they've been real useful. One question however, is it worth investing in an airbrush or can a simple manual brush bring almost similiar results?   Thanks, j.

Hi Jamo,

As Rob said earlier, as far as the Ferrari kit is concerned, it's the same kit, just packaged with some paints, a brush and cement. Nothing in the box is pre-painted or pre-assembled. One thing to note about the set, on the link that you provided, the description on that page says that the set includes acrylic paints - howeverm they look like standard Revell enamels to me.

In so far as what you can achieve with what's provided in the package, the brush provided is likely to be of very ordinary quality. It will do the job but is of a smaller size than I would like to use for painting a large area like a car body. In addition, gloss paints are notoriously difficult to brush paint to a good finish (over a broad, flat area at least), particularly red, though enamel paints (as provided) may be somewhat more forgiving than acrylics. (Sorry if this is sounding negative, but I'm not trying to put you off) If you are considering the Ferrari kit, as an alternative to an airbrush, it may be worth considering picking up a spray can for the body work and a tin of the equivalent red for detail work rather than depending solely on what's in the package.

In addition to what's provided, you will need some paint thinner. It will be more cost effective to go to a hardware store and buy a bottle of mineal spirits rather than buying a "hobby branded" product. I would, however, look at some alternative paint brushes.

Welcome Jamo. As for painting, I have seem many very nicely painted models that were done 100% with a brush. I've tried it and have to say it obviously takes quite a bit of practice to get good at it. Personnally, when I started out I bought a good but relatively inexpensive airbrush. After a little practice on a cardboard box I was good enough to use it effectively on a model. Now, the more I use it the better I get at it.

Rob Gronovius wrote:

It's often the same exact kit, but a gift set includes rudimentary assembly tools such as glue, a few paints and maybe some sanding sticks or a knife. It is designed to give the gift set to a person who may not model and thus not have the basic modeling tools in his or her possession. Normally, the novice would not paint the body of the vehicle and may get black and silver paint for some minor details.

Ah I understand now. It seems the sets I'm looking at have the minor details done, however painting needs to be done on the main parts i.e. that ferrari model, the appropiate red is provided meaning I'll need to paint the body. Thats kinda confused me now seeing I'd rather not skip corners on models I'm wanting to put real effort into. 

I'm fine with constructing a model neatly but as I guess with most modellers, the hardest part is painting with great accuracy and finish. I've been looking at some  articles around the site and they've been real useful. One question however, is it worth investing in an airbrush or can a simple manual brush bring almost similiar results?  

Thanks, j.  

 

Rob hit it on the head. Marketing...a way to package your product to attract the greatest spectrum of buyers.

It's often the same exact kit, but a gift set includes rudimentary assembly tools such as glue, a few paints and maybe some sanding sticks or a knife. It is designed to give the gift set to a person who may not model and thus not have the basic modeling tools in his or her possession.

Normally, the novice would not paint the body of the vehicle and may get black and silver paint for some minor details.