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Vallejo vs Tamiya

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  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 12:39 PM

Just a side note, but Tamiya retarder is a huge improvement for hand brushing their paint. A few drops of the stuff to a small amount of paint say a 1 to 3 or 2 to 3 ratio of retarder to paint and the stuff handbrushes as well as any enamel.... lots of time to work with the stuff with no skin forming and all the headaches one normally associates with hand brushing Tamiya acrylics. 

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
Posted by 7474 on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 10:56 AM
  • Member since
    October 2016
  • From: .O-H-I-O....
Posted by DasBeav on Sunday, September 24, 2017 9:13 PM

You are welcome, Greg....And 100 percent correct about ABing VJ Model Air and Color.

 Sooner Born...Buckeye Bred.

 

  • Member since
    November 2010
Posted by STL DALE on Sunday, September 24, 2017 8:24 PM

So which VMA colors are correct for a P-40 Flying Tigers paint scheme?

Thanks.

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, September 24, 2017 7:59 PM

STL DALE

I must have had it stuck in my head that my lhs has more Tamiya than VMA.

That makes absolute sense, that would lead you to believe that Tamiya has more colors, indeed.

  • Member since
    November 2010
Posted by STL DALE on Sunday, September 24, 2017 7:43 PM

Thanks. That will help.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Sunday, September 24, 2017 7:24 PM

Go here: 

www.paint4models.com

Download their conversion chart.

  • Member since
    November 2010
Posted by STL DALE on Sunday, September 24, 2017 7:22 PM

Well after really comparing the two you are right.

I must have had it stuck in my head that my lhs has more Tamiya than VMA.

Is there an easy to understand paint equivelant chart out there?

Thanks.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Sunday, September 24, 2017 7:22 PM

Tamiya color range is limited as few has already mentioned. Vallejo does have their range as well. My acrylic preference is Model Master. It's not all that terrible as some say (and I respect those who don't like it) as long as you know how to thin it properly.

I'm not limited to just Model Master acrylics but I also have their enamel line as well. I also have Pollyscale, Aeromaster, Lifecolor acrylics. I'm seriously looking into Mission Model acrylics and Drooling Bulldog (for my WW1 subjects)

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, September 24, 2017 7:11 PM

DasBeav

Yes I use VJ Model Air. I agree with everything Greg says.

 

Well, thanks, Beav.

It's a real treat to have a post acknowledged on this forum every now and then.. It doesn't happen much, except in the GB threads. Bow Down You sort of made my night.

  • Member since
    October 2016
  • From: .O-H-I-O....
Posted by DasBeav on Sunday, September 24, 2017 6:55 PM

Yes I use VJ Model Air. I agree with everything Greg says.

 Sooner Born...Buckeye Bred.

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Sunday, September 24, 2017 6:40 PM

Tamiya is much easier to use and shoot,but the color range is limited,on the other Vallejo has unlimited colors,but is difficult to airbrush.While not an expert,by using their thinner and retarder,I have gotten use to it,somewhat.

I thin Tamiya with their lacquer thinner,and as I said I thin Vallejo with their thinner and flow improver.

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, September 24, 2017 6:13 PM

I think you may have the color selection issue backwards. Vallejo has significantly more color selection than Tamiya.

Tamiya sprays great and if there were more color selection, it might be my primary acrylic. Tamiya hand brushes poorly.

Vallejo sprays fine once you learn how to do it, and it hand brushes great and is self-leveling. Vallejo isn't terribly durable and I think a clear coat is a must if you intend to ever touch your model again after it is painted. Tamiya, IMO, dries to a harder and more durable finish.

They are both fine products, IMO. I prefer Vallejo but you may not.

If you use the Vallejo Model Air line, you don't really have to thin it at all. I would suggest you use Vallejo's own flow improver, though, to reduce if not eliminate dry tip. I wouldn't recommend spraying Vallejo Model Color at all until you have more experience. It's very thick and formulated for brushing.

Have fun whichever route you go. You can try them both, you know!

  • Member since
    November 2010
Posted by STL DALE on Sunday, September 24, 2017 5:57 PM

Are you using the Model Air line of paints?

  • Member since
    October 2016
  • From: .O-H-I-O....
Posted by DasBeav on Sunday, September 24, 2017 5:46 PM

Never used Tamiya but I swithched from ModelMasters acrylic to Vallejo Model Air and am really happy with their airbrush ability. (with a little flow improver) I bought their 16 count Basic, allied forces and allied axis sets. I will add when the need arises by buying in either 16 or 8 ct. sets. Seems alot cheaper that way. I know they are coming out with more colors. Check out their website. (I was not reimbursed for this endorsement)Smile

 Sooner Born...Buckeye Bred.

 

  • Member since
    July 2017
Posted by crazypat on Sunday, September 24, 2017 5:26 PM

i have personally used tamiya paints but i have recently switched to vallejo from other stuff and have never looked back, they have a big enuff range of colors for me and with my airbrush you don't have to thin them plus they hand paint just a well

  • Member since
    November 2010
Vallejo vs Tamiya
Posted by STL DALE on Sunday, September 24, 2017 5:19 PM

So Iam new to airbrushing and have been using Vallejo Model Air but it seems Tamiya has more color options and lots of people like it.

My question is is it that much better?

How do you thin it to spray?

Thanks.

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