Vallejo vs Vallejo Air

There is a huge difference in the paints. if your going to airbrush use the air ones. The "normal" Vallejo are really quite thick and would take a lot of thinning for airbrushing. Its nothing like Tamiya, you cant mix it 50/50, its more like an artist oil paint in thickness to give you an idea.

I'm sure someone has thinned it but I personally wouldnt as you could never be sure of the mixture. To be honest if you used to Tamiya and you like it look on Ebay there will be lots there. If you want to try Vallejo you'll almost end up with two sets of paint one for the airbrush one for the brush.

Vallejo are very good paints and the "normal" ones will last a long time.

Hope that helps

Phil

Definitely use the air line for airbrushing, I find I can thin about 30 percent for a normal color coat, and I can brush paint with it decently.  I have havily thinned (60 percent) and sprayed the model color line when I have needed that particular color, but it's not too easy.

Great advice, thanks so much.

Thanks a lot.  

mbh8585

If so, what thinner would be recommended? (I still have a lot of the Tamiya thinner...)

Do not use Tamiya acrylic thinner with Vallejo MC or Air. It will turn the paint into a sticky ball of goo.

I agree with Phil H, Vallejo Model Air is designed for airbrushing, Model Color is suited for hand brushing. I have thinned Model Color with water and Vallejo thinner, it takes a considerable amount to properly thin it for airbrushing, but it did work OK.

One thing to really be aware of, Vallejo products should be thinned ONLY with their proprietary thinner, or water. Alcohol or other brand thinners with alcohol base, will definately turn the Vallejo into a gummy mess, the airbrush can be cleaned with lacquer thinner or acetone, but you'll be at it for quite a while.

No need to ask why I know this.

Patrick 

I have found I can use liquitex flow aid with water (1 part flow aid to 20 parts water) as a thinner.  Water neat makes the paint too 'wet' for my liking.  Too much flow aid will affect paint adhesion negatively.  Their proprietary works nicely too, but is of course pricier.  I have found no substitute for their airbrush cleaner, which is incredible as a paint stripper, though I do use an ultrasonic cleaner with soap and water for a deep clean.  I avoid Vallejo primers like the plague, they behave like a sheet of rubber and lift too easily.  Instead, I use AK Interactive white primer, as I like the way it behaves and takes sanding.  Just my 2 bits.

Really appreciate all the advice!

In the long run. You might end up something like this...

The only solvent material I have is the Mr. Surfacer 1200. This is still the best primer on my stock.

I don't spray with Vallejo for base coats and such, but I do use their primers and they thin quite well with their "airbrush thinner". I usually thin 1/1 and spray between 14-18psi. Never had issues out of my A/B

JunJon

 

In the long run. You might end up something like this...

The only solvent material I have is the Mr. Surfacer 1200. This is still the best primer on my stock.

 

 

JunJon

I've run out of Vallejo Air, need it in a hurry, have to buy on line. Could you please spare about 600 bottles from your stock? 

Wowzza, you are loaded up. Very neat job of organizing by the way.

Patrick

I just used Model Color to paint a desert Sherman II. I sprayed 916 Sand Yellow over Plastikote T235 gray auto primer. I mixed it with Vallejo retarder, and thinned it with MM Acrylic thinner. 

I found that it works best when not thinned as much as Tamiya. The retarder does it's job well and it takes a day to properly cure. I built up the coats slowly and it looks great this morning.

Due to all the PE bits and bobs, I will hand paint the camo pattern.

FJ_

I don't use any Vallejo in my airbrushes, but I love it for brush painting. I know lot's of people who do like MA and get great results. I just would skip trying to force MC to airbrush.

FJ What do you use to AB and why?

Epic, lot of money right there JJ

Oh the horror! Not even Humbrol, Lifecolor or White Ensign!? Kidding....

patrick206

One thing to really be aware of, Vallejo products should be thinned ONLY with their proprietary thinner, or water. Alcohol or other brand thinners with alcohol base, will definately turn the Vallejo into a gummy mess, the airbrush can be cleaned with lacquer thinner or acetone, but you'll be at it for quite a while.

I've been using Createx Airbrush Cleaner to thin Vallejo paints (both ModelAir and ModelColor), it thins out really nicely and seems to stop tip dry a bit as well.

It seems a strange thing to use to thin paint but it really is a good thinner. I've also used it succesfully in Tamiya, Lifecolor, and Xtracolor Acrylic (as a Brit it does my head in when colour is spelt without a 'U'! :-) ) paints and it sprays nice and smooth.

The reason that Vallejo gums up when anything like alcohol is added is that it's a vinyl based paint. I also know this as I experimented with a lot of different potions to thin Vallejo and spent most of my time digging gummed up paint from my AB. Now I've found the Createx AB Cleaner I won't use anything else.

Dash8

Epic, lot of money right there JJ

 

It took me a year to fill my shelf. I just love there wide range of colors.

FJ_

 

 

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

Oh the horror! Not even Humbrol, Lifecolor or White Ensign!? Kidding....

 

 

 

 

Nah. Basically if I can't thin it with Mr. Leveling thinner I don't airbrush it. Humbrol will, but I pefer to avoid enamle because of the longer curing time and I'm often working with deadlines.

 

LOL! I didn't know this hobby has "deadlines" that you speak of....

Do you even have a real job? Sounds like you're a "professional model builder."

If you say you are a "professional modeler", then we haven't seen any of your "professional" builds posted on FSM yet. Try posting some of your builds instead of being arrogant.

Wait...you say you can't post your builds because of a competitor's website? If you refuse to post your builds, then why are you here?

LOL! This all makes sense. 

SpursN17

 

patrick206

One thing to really be aware of, Vallejo products should be thinned ONLY with their proprietary thinner, or water. Alcohol or other brand thinners with alcohol base, will definately turn the Vallejo into a gummy mess, the airbrush can be cleaned with lacquer thinner or acetone, but you'll be at it for quite a while.

 

 

 

I've been using Createx Airbrush Cleaner to thin Vallejo paints (both ModelAir and ModelColor), it thins out really nicely and seems to stop tip dry a bit as well.

It seems a strange thing to use to thin paint but it really is a good thinner. I've also used it succesfully in Tamiya, Lifecolor, and Xtracolor Acrylic (as a Brit it does my head in when colour is spelt without a 'U'! :-) ) paints and it sprays nice and smooth.

The reason that Vallejo gums up when anything like alcohol is added is that it's a vinyl based paint. I also know this as I experimented with a lot of different potions to thin Vallejo and spent most of my time digging gummed up paint from my AB. Now I've found the Createx AB Cleaner I won't use anything else.

 

Color/colour, your choice, either works, (but with a U does sound more propah.)   (:>)

Patrick

Createx... gotta look for that.

I'm sorry that you don't understand about copyright laws. My builds are restricted to those who appreciates seeing a build and giving out constructive criticism without being offended by folks like you. 

You forget it may not meet your expectations. Gosh who knows... it's probably too artistic for your taste.

Show us your builds since you think you're better than everyone here. Oh wait... you won't because you're in fear you may get in trouble with your own "magazine competitor."

OK, I just read not to shoot Vallejo Model color with my airbrush? Well, I already have and had no problem. I'm not sure who said it couldnt be done or not to do it, but that info is misleading and basically false. 

I could only land FS35189 in the Model Color and not Air Color, so I used it and bingo, perfect flow, no problems, I simply thinned it with Vallejo thinner, nothing special.

patrick206

Good info, Spurs, THANKS. Createx I believe might be from Badger, is that correct?

No, Createx is it's own brand.

http://www.createxcolors.com/

Here's the PDF formated catalog.

http://www.createxcolors.com/PDFs/Createx_Catalog_2014.pdf