Mission Models Paints

I found out the reason that they do not add anything to the paint is becuase it will break down the paint over time in the bottle. They want the paint to stay good and not really have a shelf life. This I really like because you never have a clue how old a bottle of paint is until you but it and then try to use it, money wasted. So when you add after it helps then, not needed but personally it like how much it improves the flow and leveling of the paint.

exactly, you can spray it right out of the bottle but depending on your personal way of doing things adding thinner will allow for different atributes. I think what Mission is saying is it just increases performance mostly due to tip drying. The poly I like because of the way it helps to seal the paint and give a smother almost semi gloss finish so I can decal with no clear gloss and that to me helps not loosing details like fine panel lines. I like the thinner for the same  reason, I like to slowly build up the color and not end up too thick. I modulate color but like you said, pre shadinig really shows up more with less or a more transparent paint due to thinning.

Everyone has their own style of doing things and this paint has a lot of range. From one person to the next you are going to have different ways of using the paint. The main thing is, thinner, no thinnner, poly or no poly this paint works really well. To me adding thinner and poly really keeps my needle tip clean and that has been a major issue  for me with other acrylic paint. The poly also provides a good surface for oil painting onto and I do a lot of that along with enamel washes, filters, etc. 

Mitko Nitkev did a test on you tube and sais he got on best no thinners and didn'y see a difference with or without poly, although since you explained it to me the poly seems a good idea. Some people prefer very thin paint applied in several layers, so that may be the thinking with thinners, so perhaps  pre shading shows up better.

While I understand your reasoning for thinning Mission Model paint, but I don't really see the need to thin them regardless considering they're airbrush ready straight out of the bottle. 

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nxmQL7NXKQ&t=932s

Check out the video it will explain more. The poly is like adding a retarder I guess but has more function. It helps flow but what I like is it helps the paint even out and be very forgiving as it dries. It also seals the paint and gives it a nice texture for decals and washes right away with no clear coating to gloss it up. Why it is not in the paint already I do not know, maybe it would jack up the price or works better when added to the correct amount? The paint sands well, for me though I dont really do any sanding after I paint, all is done prior to or after primer. I can see when doing a car fininsh but I do mosly military. But it is not gummy, chips very well with hairspray also.

Why do you need the poly? If its necessary, why isn't it in the paint already? Won't that make them gummy to sand like the poly primers?

That is true but you still want to add a few drrops of the poly formula. I have not tried it with no thinner yet, I like my paint thin. I will let you know when I try it this week. I have learned that the thinner is very strong and even one drop too many with start to give the paint a transparency. So it is nice to know it I want transparency all i do is add more drops. It is very controlable even when thin and also levels out. I learned this by mistake of adding 1 or 2 extra drops of thinner. I just had to do a second coat and it came out great. Lots of range to this paint but you just have to pay attention and become more of a drop counter. 

Blacksheep is right again. I saw a  youtube video from mitko nitkev on test for mission models and he also concludes that they perform bettert with no thinner. Looks good but I can't get them locally. Buying online is fine but you can't really see what the colors look like to your eye. The MRP colors have recently come under discussion on doogsatv on facebook on the difference in colors between them,RTV and other manufacturers colors of the same shade like light ghost gray.   I prefer to do that if I can. Looks like good paint though.

My understanding is that Mission paints don't need to be thinned for airbrushing.

Thank You very much for the reply and feedback Paul. It is indeed quite helpful. I do see myself picking up some Mission paints soon. I'll be glad when they start producing some aircraft colors.

I have been a member and participant on FSM forums for several years and it is by far the best group going. As you pointed out, everyone here has always been hugely positive and incredibley helpful. The admins, as well as members, have consistently done a stellar job of maintaining a friendly and fun atmosphere. It is group that will always encourage and support you and teach you amazing skills. My modeling abilities have increased exponentially simply due to what the folks here have taught me.  You will not find a better group of modelers and people.

Joe 

You use the Vallejo flow with tamiya paint? I changed to using tamiya lacquer thinner when I use it. That sprays very well similar to mission. But mission is acrylics so that is amazing. 

No matter what I try all acrylics have been a pain. The best results I have had is a thinner I made using water, isopropl and a few drops of retatder. 

The problem I have with tamiya is oversprsy. Even with solvents it can happen, I tried to make mission do it and nothing. With aircraft its always in wingroots. 

I can't wait to get the feedback. I have never really got too much into groups because I can't stand to other side of things, the smartest guy in the room, trolls. If I'm going to say something its because I have something that has really pushed me to the next level or had high impact. This did and so far this group has been super positive.

I have been using the paint a little for hand brushing and its nice. You really need a primer for it to work well in all forms. A dab of paint covers well. It washes off the brush very quick with just plain tap water. I just really like life color when brushing, perfect constancy and uber fast drying. Jon a Mission is really nice and always responds and to me it feels nice to spread the word for a company that is owned by a model making products we really need. He definitely took on a beast and kicked its ass. 

If the gloss paints even out with the same results, clear coating in general will be just to seal in decals. Im sure it will be from the standards set so far. Thanks all for listening and taking on my experience to see for yourself. I really hope that you find the same joy I found and it removes some painting pains. 

Jon from Mission informed me months ago that they plan on releasing glossy car colours in the July timeframe.  If they release a good variety of car colours (rivalling Tamiya spray selection) and if they perform close to how lacquers perform for shiny car bodies, then I'll definately make the switch!  For me, the best variety and best quality of car colours are either enamel or lacquer.  Both are terrible for smell and health though.  

The Acrylic paints out now (Tamiya, Vallejo, even MM Acrylic) have a very limited selection of car colours, especially metallic colours.

If Mission can address this, then that would be fantastic!

I've got a few colors on my wish list. They're gonna cost me a bit of change fo rthem. LOL!

Thanks for the review, Paul.  I will be finding out how I like Mission Model paints, as I purchased three Russian Green colors, the thinner, and the Poly additive for a T-34 I just started.  I watched a couple of youtube reviews, and the guys there raved about these paints.  One of them painted yellow over black (the horror), and it came out looking great.  Mission Models has a very nice site explaining their system, and even have a section on "how to make our paint fail".  There is some humor on the site, which I appreciate.  Their color line is limited right now, but based on reviews I have read, I think they are going to do very well, and will expand.

I still like Tamiya acrylics when I can use them, and have found that using one or two drops of Vallejo Flow Improver dramatically lessened dry tip issues.

Thanks again for the review, and I am happy to hear that this has made model building enjoyable again for you.

D

My pleasure Paul. I've been looking into some acrylic paint options outside of Tamiya & Vallejo simply to see if there was something with reduced odor yet offered hassle free airbrushing. I'm a long time enamel man and will continue to use them but, I'm always checking options. So, a couple of questions if I may. How is the odor on these? Have you tried brush painting with them? Have you tried a wash on them and if so, what did you use? Thanks for the insight.

Joe

I will soon find out how well Mission paints mix together.  The reference book I am using for my IJN Musashi has the formula for the grey paint used at the Kure naval yard.  Purchased the different colors from Mission and the thinner.  I did not buy the additive, but it sounds like it would be a good idea to use it. 

Once the hull is ready I will find out how well this paint does. 

Joe, thanks so much man. Really glad you related. I just can't say more, the panzer Grey is spot on i got white and black to help modulate colors. Just make sure to get the thinner and poly adative and do it just like they say. You can use any primer. I used Vallejo and tamiya so far with no problem. The inconsistencies of Vallejo air and ak paints just suck and it drove me crszy. I have to be honest when I say I was so afraid of not gloss coating first with decals, it worked great so no loss of thin panel lines.I do coat after to protect. Would love to hear what you think when you get some. Keep in touch and thanks again

Hey Paul, I would like to thank you for your thorough and informative review of Mission Model paints. I found it very helpful as I have been seriously considering trying them out. I'm especially interested in trying out some of their German armor colors. It is especially interesting to know that you were able to apply decals directly onto the paint.

Thanks again, Joe