Best kind of paint...

10 years ago I sat at my kitchen table with a bottle of the latest acrylic in one hand and MM enamel in the other and asked this same question. I was at a cross-roads for sure and I liked both. A few factors that I had to take into account before making my decision. Acrylics are generally non-toxic, more user-friendly and safer to clean up and use (using non-toxic solvents). On the down side the adhesion to plastic is not as strong as enamels, special preparation must be done to the bare plastic, most can't be masked with normal masking tapes, care must be taken not to mix brands of acrylics and you cannot apply enamels or Laquers over some acrylics. Additionaly, some acrylics are tricky to thin and sensitive to mixing ratios. Enamels on the other hand are very easy to thin(using inexpensive plain mineral spirits), airbrushes excellent and paint brush. Enamels have superior adhesion to model styrene and other surfaces than acrylics, they can be masked with normal masking tapes, can take any oil-based paint additive for special effects(oil paint mediums), and gloss colors can even be buffed to near glass-like finishes for car modelers! Highly important for most modelers in general...the color range of enamels such as the Testors MM line is extensive to say the least. Most acrylic brands with the exception of Gunze Sangyo Acrylic Colors and Floquil Polly Scale acrylics; the color range is very limited, requiring mixing formulas and a lot of trail and error. Although containing toxins that if "miss-used" can eventually, over time harm me; I prefer enamels hands down. I've learned how to use enamels over the years and I couldn't be happier or more satisfied, as are most modelers. Just take the nessessary precautions to protect yourself with the use of a respirator when airbrushing and spraying and you'll make the transition to enamels gracefully as I have.




1/72nd scale Hasagawa F-16C wearing Testors MM II enamels. Depicting the "Fighting Fulcrums" 414 CTS, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB

The best paint is the one that works best for you, so experiment with a few brands on a throwaway model or plastic sheet and find the ones you like. Like Greg, I use Model Master enamels almost exclusively, but that's what works for me. Many modelers prefer acrylics, but Iv'e not had much luck with them. I'm sure they work great for some, but not for me. As for Humbrol paints, they are good for many purposes and I use them for brush painting small details on model AC and for painting figures. I don't think they are that great for airbrushing however.

Have to agree with what was said above.

Use what works best for you. OTOH, it might be advisable to learn to use the colour range that is most commonly available in your area.

Before I moved to Japan my main colour range was Humbroll, the common paints here are Gunze and Tamiya (both make enamel and acrylics).
I can get Humbroll but it involves extra travel and the paints are more expensive(imported).

Now I use a mix of the Gunze colours and Tamiya Acrylics, don't like the bottles that the Tamiya enamels come in.

Humbrol is a very fine paint for brush painting, brushes much better than MM from my experience. It is also cheaper than MM and has a very good color range. The worst thing about airbrushing Humbrol is getting the paint out of the tin can without making a mess. I prefer to use it for airbrushing amour models thinned with lacquer thinner. This is a very bad thing from a health perspective so use a respirator if you want to airbrush using lacquer thinner. I've moved to acrylics due to its ease of cleanup, but acquired a bunch of enamel paints recently due to color selections.

Polly Scale is an excellent line of acrylic paint. It is my favorite. It brushes even better than MM enamel and has very good adhesion to plastic. MM Acryl is good with the exception of poor adhesion. You can lift it with masking tape. The main problem with acrylics when airbrushing is that they do tend to clog the airbrush more.

I cross ALL paint lines!!! I use whatever paint is what I need in a particular color. Just make sure you avoid painting enamel over acryl, and you'll be fine. That way you have no brand loyalty, and are free to get the colors you need or use, as many of the big companies don't always make the same colors!!

I use exclusively Tamiya and mainly enamels. i don't have an airbrush, and i like how i can control enamels better when painting fine details. You'll find one that you like. Until then, just use the type you think is best suited to your model and experiment with different or brands.

Greg: THAT'S a model?!? nice!

Shrikes,

Nice job on that B-17of yours.