?Need help with Vallejo paints

I used Mr. Color and Mr. Leveling Thinner on my 109...LOVED it for the mottling work. Spray characteristics are very similar to Tamiya with Leveling Thinner in my opinion:

Vallejo...at least Model Color...doesn't go on like silk the way Tamiya or Gunze paints do. Coverage is excellent, but they don't seem to do that soft feathered edge quite as well, and they certainly don't thin down to nothing the way the other paints do. Maybe Model Air is different...I really need to give it a test spray!

Anywho, here's the Mossie. 3:1 Vallejo Black Grey and Black. Both Model Color. Thinned with about 60% Future.

Excellent, let me know how it goes.  Spraying mottling with Mr Color and Mr Leveling Thinner has been awesome in results compared to anything I've gotten so far (this is only my third model after 'returning' to the hobby... if building monogram kits as a teen 25 years ago could be considered a first foray...), as you can dial it way, way, wayyyyy down compared to anything I've been able to get away with using acrylics.  

It's just a pain in the rear end logistically.  Open the window, set up the exhaust fans (high volume window mount unit), grab the OV filter respirator and strap it on, measure and mix the thinner and colors, etc... compared to just grabbing some Vallejo in the squeeze bottle, mixing it with retarder/medium right in the paint cup, and spraying away.  Which reminds me it's time to buy some more disposable pipets... 

Did the front intakes on the Jumo 4's with Allclad II Aluminum.  Talk about an easy spray... like the Vallejo of laquers.  Still has all the setup overhead due to the fumes, but if Mr Color or similar came out with a pre-thinned line of color lacquers I'd be all over that.  

I've got a collection of colors in MM and PolyS that I don't have yet in Vallejo, particularly the awesome Reefer White, so I still need to have a reliable method for thinning them down.

NervousEnergy

 

 

Do you use Future 1:1 with Vallejo Air or Color?  Have you tried Future with Model Master or Polyscale?  Hoping to learn from what you've done on a Mig-1 I'm starting right after I wrap up this 262.

So far, I've only tried it with Vallejo Model Color and Lifecolor. I'd been going back and forth between the two, trying to get them to spray right for my Dauntless project, and nothing I tried kept the Lifecolor from spraying like colored water. But Future 1:1 or so with Model Color worked perfectly.

Haven't tried with Model Air yet - literally just picked up my first bottles of the stuff today (the LHS doesn't stock it save a few of the RLM sets), but it seems thin enough that maybe just a few drops would suffice.

As for MM Acryl and Poly...not a particularly big fan of either so I can't say. And I use lacquer thinners with Tamiya.

However...I WILL be using Vallejo+Future on the Mosquito I'm building in the nightfighter group build. She just got primer last night, pre-shading will probably go down tonight, so maybe around Thursday or Friday or so I'll have pics of that paint job to show...

DoogsATX

Depends if you're airbrushing or just brushing. For just brushing, I jump around. Sometimes water cut with just a bit of dishwasher fluid. Sometimes Vallejo's thinner. Sometimes a few drops of Future.

For airbrushing, I had nothing but bad experiences until I tried thinning with Future. About 1:1 ratio, roughly. I tried water, their thinner, Windex, etc, and each time found a very fine line between the paint being too thick, or suddenly taking on water-like properties. With Future, it just goes on, and it dries smooth, solid, and shiny.

Do you use Future 1:1 with Vallejo Air or Color?  Have you tried Future with Model Master or Polyscale?  Hoping to learn from what you've done on a Mig-1 I'm starting right after I wrap up this 262.

Phil_H

Yes, they (Vallejo Model Color) are very thick in the jar. Shake very well and when you think you've shaken it too much, shake it some more. When shaking, tap the jar on the heel of your other hand.

Too true.  Vallejo are great paints but notorious for needing to be shaken a looooong time. 

As for a thinner, I highly recommend Liquitex Airbrush medium.  The stuff is great.  I have used it with various craft paint brands, Testors Model Master paints, GW/Citadel, and Vallejo with no issues at all. I normally use a ratio of 1:1, though I eyeball things so not very scientific!

Depends if you're airbrushing or just brushing. For just brushing, I jump around. Sometimes water cut with just a bit of dishwasher fluid. Sometimes Vallejo's thinner. Sometimes a few drops of Future.

For airbrushing, I had nothing but bad experiences until I tried thinning with Future. About 1:1 ratio, roughly. I tried water, their thinner, Windex, etc, and each time found a very fine line between the paint being too thick, or suddenly taking on water-like properties. With Future, it just goes on, and it dries smooth, solid, and shiny.

Yes, they (Vallejo Model Color) are very thick in the jar. Shake very well and when you think you've shaken it too much, shake it some more. When shaking, tap the jar on the heel of your other hand.

Thin either with Vallejo's own thinner or with distilled water. Don't use alcohol as it will turn the paint into a sticky ball of goo. Don't use Windex either.

I can't recommend any particular thinning ratio because the viscosity of the paint varies from one colour to another - Some are quite watery and others are like chunky custard.

If you're airbrushing, I would suggest a nice flat undercoat as it won't stick to bare plastic very well.