Top 3 Best Armor Paint Manufacturers?

Humbrol and Revell (enamels), followed by Rowney (artists' paints)

1. Tamiya Acrylics and enamels
2. Gunze Sangyo aqueous and lacquer
3. Testors Model Master enamels (I've never even seen the acrylics!)

I chose those three in that order based on quality, ease of use, and color selection.

Actually, I haven't used Testors in over 10 years (not readily available here in Japan) but I do have fond memories of it.

I use MM acryl and enamel both some colors exist in only one line or the other. The fresh tone set is acryl only for example.

1. Tamiya Acrylics (application with an airbrush is flawless)
2. Testor's Model Master Enamels (just an awesome selection!)

I haven't tried them yet but, I hear some great things about Gunze Sangyo. If I can ever find them, I will definately give them a go!

1. Tamiya Acrylics - simply the best IMO
2. Model Master Acrylics - great colour selection, use it for detail painting more than anything.

I've tried Gunze and though it sucked bad, my opinion only.
Have heard great things about Vallejo !!

Model Master Enamels
Tamiya Acrylics

I've gotten some Vallejo's as a Birthday Present, but I have not tried them yet.

I do not like to use Acrylics to drybrush with. I've not had good results with them.

Looking in my paint storage container all I see for armor is...Tamiya acrylics!

Glenn

I gotta go with:

#1. MM Enamels I have had very little problems with these paints over the years, and they store for a looooong time!

#2. Tamiya Acrylics. I've started using them. I have more problems getting them thinned down for airbrushing than I do the MM enamels. (And I don't care for the odor of them much, either!)

#3. I've heard and read that Vallejo paints are fantastic, but expensive. I've never seen any of their armor colors. I have a few of their fantasy line for miniatures, but have only used them for highlighting.

I don't like Gunzy Aqueous very much. I've had a lot of trouble with uneven flatness (some spots dry almost glossy) when brushing.

I've never found a source of Revell paints in the US. If anyone does, please let us know.

Bill

well, I haven't used too many brands of paint. but I like my Humbrols a lot better than testers enamels

For me:

#1: Tamiya Acrylics
#2: Gunze Sangyo Aquaeous
#3: Humbrol (haven't used them in 'bout 10yrs though)

One local shop used to import the MM range along with the Aztec(while it was still popular), haven't used them and they quickly disappeared of the shelf again. Those were the sachet type that you could pluck directly into the Aztec.

I think I'm going to have to try tamiya one of these days.

I have used only 2 brands so far. Tamiya Acryics and Enamels and Gunze Sangyo. So I'll vote for these on the same order.

I like the Tamiya Acrylics a lot.

I have gotten the best results by airbrushing the Tamiya Acrylics when I use their "official" thinner.

Don't know what makes it different, but it works for me.

QUOTE: Originally posted by latch66 I like the Tamiya Acrylics a lot. I have gotten the best results by airbrushing the Tamiya Acrylics when I use their "official" thinner. Don't know what makes it different, but it works for me.

I tried cheap Osco Drug Isopropyl alcohol which smells the same as the official Tamiya thinner, looks the same and is supposed to be the same.

This cheap thinner produces a nasty chemical reaction in the mixture! The airbrushed surface looks as if it were brushed and then blasted with very fine sand that gets stuck in the paint. Most of that residue/powder will come off if you rubby it with soft cloth but not all of it.

I use Tamiya's thinner for thinning, but use isopropyl for cleaning and soaking airbrush parts. I think I just don't have the ratios and the air pressure figured out yet.

Bill

I use Tamiya acrylics for airbrushing and humbrol enamels for drybrushing. Apparently acrylics don't harm your health as much as enamels being sprayed so I switched.

#1 Humbrol
#2 Floquil and Pactra!!! Both discontinued.

I leave #3 open. I still like enamels for armour even though my prefered paint is Polly Scale. I've never used Polly Scale on armour, but I've used many other acrylics. Strange.

I would have to go with
1. Tamiya Acrylics
2. Model Master Acrylics
3. Humbrol and Polly S are tied.
mark956

The Tamiya acrylics would have to go first due to the quality and ease of use then Gunze (in my opinion they make the best gloss top coat better than tamiya's) and Vallejos' model color water-based acrylics.