Anyone else agree that hobby paints cost too much for too little?

Is that for the 10ml Tamiya, if so you are paying a lot. less than £2 here and the Vallejo less than 3 for the 17ml bottles.

I do miss the 14ml Tamiya, its surpriseing how much further than extra little bit went.

Yes,it probably is too much,but your prices are way high.Vallejo is $2.89 at Scalehobbyist,Tamiya is much cheaper also.Shop around.

Besides you get $700 for a completed model,so why worry 

Nope- don't agree.  In terms of total cost of building a kit, the cost of paint.  If you are adept at mixing colors, you can use cheaper craft paints.  I think that most of us that use model paints do so because of the colors available.  Once when I needed a buff color for a ship and found the color I needed in a Micheals craft paint, but I ordinarily find what I need in model paints.

The new metalizers are something else.  Nothing other than model paints do the job.  But they go on so thin that a bottle lasts for several kits, so again I find it not a major expense.

Major US online retailer

Vallejo 17ml $2.99
Tamiya 23ml $3.40

So, yeah, you're getting ripped off. 

Valeejo can be thinned with distilled water, abour $2.00 a gallon. 

Testor's Glosscote 1.75 oz $3.29

10ml Tamiya is around $2.50 everywhere I get my paint from, and their 23ml bottles are around $3.40.  The 30ml MRP bottles I have been buying a lot of lately are in the $8.00 range, with their 2K line being a little more expensive (but you're getting almost twice as much paint).  I think they're all a little over-priced, with some brands being worse than others just because of the quality of the finish they produce (or lack thereof) and whether or not the colors are accurate.  Not a fan of Vallejo Model Air or Model Master Acryl for quality (Model Master Acryl-doesn't airbrush at all at this humidity level and altitude) and color accuracy/qualiity (Vallejo-their FS colors aren't even close for SAC SIOP colors/the finish is too soft and takes FOREVER to cure) reasons.  Although its the most expensive, I gladly pay the higher price for MRP due to its quality, durability (rock hard cure in less than an hour and doesn't rub off edges with handling before a clear coat like pretty much every other model paint does.  Everything that gets painted with it comes out looking like it was molded in that color, and its almost impossible to mess up while you're airbrushing with it), and color accuracy.

No.

They have to make a profit. As always, it's what the market will bear. I ave to say though,  thats a lot more than i pay for tamiya bottles.. 2.99 or 2.49 USD last time i checked...

Where are you buying your paints Kaysee? Those are more than double the sticker prices at $7-$8... 

Shop elsewhere!

stikpusher

Where are you buying your paints Kaysee? Those are more than double the sticker prices at $7-$8... 

Shop elsewhere!

 

Like the others have already noted Tamiya should be about $2.50 for the smaller jar.  Are you buying from places like Amazon?  Or paying high cost due to shipping?  If your going to a brick and mortar shop and paying $8 there should be an investigation.

I like Tamiya paints but now use more MRP due to the quality and durability of the product.  It's also sprays right from the bottle.  So no mixing with thinner unless you are performing some fading technique.

'I actually find prices reasonable.  I'm finding the paints last a long time.  

I have switched this year to mostly using Vallejo paints. I purchase mostly the various kit sets for schemes and I pay about $28 for 7 bottles US. So at $4 a bottle I don't think that's too much. I still use Gunge and Tamiya, but have become more fond of Vallejo and Mig paints for spraying and especially brush painting. But, they are all just fine and I never pay more than that for any of them. I haven't tried MRP, but I will. They have great reviews.

BK