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Looking to move from Testors enamel to a more friendly medium.

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  • Member since
    August 2011
Looking to move from Testors enamel to a more friendly medium.
Posted by OldNoob on Sunday, February 17, 2013 9:25 PM

Greetings.

As a youth i was never an avid model builder, however when i did build one, i always used the Testors paints .

Now as an older adult im starting to model again and after using Testors again i realized there has to be a cleaner , less expensive method that doesn't involve solvents. Just to clarify i am not speaking negatively about Testors.

I have seen the Tamiya paints before though i have little with them.

I know there are other paint lines available maybe i could get some suggestions and advice here.

Also, I would like to start of a complete set if possible.

  • Member since
    November 2006
Posted by Bearcat57 on Monday, February 18, 2013 2:22 AM
I've gotten along well with the Model Master Acryl line. Great color availability. Many others don't like 'em though. I've had good luck with them myself - surface prep and proper thinning is the key I believe.
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, February 18, 2013 8:44 AM

To me, the advantages of enamel outweigh the need for a solvent.  Enamels can be both brushed and sprayed, while some acrylics do not brush well.  I find far less compatibility problems with enamels. If you do a subject that needs a glossy finish, I find glossy finish to be much easier with enamels. Some folks have adhesion problems with some of the acrylics.  Also, while you can thin acrylics with water, most modelers I know use a water/alcohol mix, and alcohol is a solvent.

I use a spray booth with a good filter for rattle cans, which eliminates much of the odor.  In airbrushing I use so little paint that odor is not a big problem.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Chantilly, Virginia
Posted by CNicoll on Monday, February 18, 2013 9:10 AM

Agree with Bearcat and I've never really had much of a problem with MM, Tamiya or the PollyScale acrylics.  The key is definitely proper prep - clean surfaces, etc.  Yes, the acrylics can be a bit delicate in my experience so if I'm planning on doing a lot of masking, I prefer enamels, or if I will shoot a coat of Future and let it harden then do my masking (or whatever).

When I brush the acrylics I do tend to thin them as well and I find no problems with brush strokes.  I paint indoors with somewhat limited ventilation so I like the lower fumes of the acrylic paints (note, 'lower' not 'none').

These were both done with acrylics:

On the bench:  Academy 1/72 B-17G 'Blue Hen Chick';  1/48 Tamiya Mustang III; Kitty Hawk 1/32 P-39. 

Completed:  1/48 Tamiya P-51D Mustang - 'Show Bird', 1/32 Dragon P-51D  Flying Tigers 'What if'; 1/32 Tamiya P-51D Big Beautiful Doll

Group build:1/48 Tamiya Mustang III; 1/48 Tamiya P-51D Show Bird

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, February 18, 2013 12:16 PM

Nice work there CNicoll!

I hate enamel paint, poisonous and last time I used it took  forever to dry. I rarely use anything other than MM acrylic and Tamiya paint. I've never had any real problems with either. Easy clean-up, less toxic, they dry faster, and you get a more consistent better quality finish than enamels.  

Both MM and Tamiya are good paint, only downside is you can't mix them with good results. Pollyscale is good too but I believe out of production. Gunze Sangyo is great stuff but I've had limited experience with it.  

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

G-J
  • Member since
    July 2012
Posted by G-J on Monday, February 18, 2013 8:00 PM

Throwing my hat in the ring.....

When I painted Games Workshops figures, I used Citadel and Vallejo paints.  When I came back to modeling, I went with Vallejo Model line.  I exclusively hand brush (don't have an air brush) and so far, so good.  

After hurricane Sandy, I was toying with switching paints, but for the moment, I'm sticking with Vallejo.

(Full disclosure:  I do have some paints from MM, and I'm looking to experiment with some Tamiya.)

On the bench:  Tamyia Mosquito Mk. VI for the '44 group build.  Yes, still.

On deck: 

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Monterey Bay,CA-Fort Bragg, NC
Posted by randypandy831 on Sunday, February 24, 2013 3:57 PM

I use both mm enamels and tamiya acrylics.  i never had a problem with mm enamels and they always give me a good finish. rock solid when the fully cure also. mm acrylics are total trash. they have no bite what soever. they need a good prime to set correctly. wish tamiya would add FS codes to their paint line. only thing they really lack.

tamiya 1/48 P-47D $25 + shipping

tamiya 1/48 mosquito $20+ shipping

hobby boss 1/48 F-105G. wings and fuselage cut from sprue. $40+ shipping. 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by Tankster on Friday, March 1, 2013 12:57 PM

I try to use acrylics whenever possible.  I love Vallejo Model Air paints because they give such a smooth and even finish.  Tamiya paints are nice b/c they give a good finish and are very cost efficient.  MM Acryl paints do have durability issues but I add a couple drops of future in the mix and that seems to help just as long as you don't yank the masking tape off and lay down a primer, it should hold up no problem.

On The Bench: Dragon  1/35 Jagdtiger Henschel

On Deck: Dragon 1/35 Ferdinand

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Friday, March 1, 2013 10:05 PM

Gee, what's the big deal about enamels, you get great paint with the added benefit of a high.  But seriously, I like the way MM enamels mix, spray and stay.

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Cameron, Texas
Posted by Texgunner on Saturday, March 2, 2013 8:28 AM

Reasoned

Gee, what's the big deal about enamels, you get great paint with the added benefit of a high.  But seriously, I like the way MM enamels mix, spray and stay.

What he said!   Gee, in the small amounts of paint that we typically use, I can't imagine why enamels should be a big problem.  I use Model Master and Humbrol enamels almost exclusively and love the way they work.  They are easily and effectively thinned and clean up is easy too.   And yes, okay, I like the way they smell too!Tongue Tied


"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Monday, March 4, 2013 1:32 PM

Well, for many, you hit the problem right on the head, the smell.  I vent with opened windows and a fan, but my family complains of the smell. So Acrylic with all their issues are worth it if it means more build time and peace in the house hold.

I also use MM, Tamiya, Vallejo, and Pollyscale.  All good stuff, just have to learn their own idiosyncracies.

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