SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Vallejo recomendations

1682 views
12 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Vallejo recomendations
Posted by goldhammer on Sunday, January 28, 2018 12:27 PM

This is for those that are using Vallejo Model Air.  I've been pretty much using MM and Tamiya acrylics for AB'ing.  This will be first go around with Vallejo.

Picked up the gray scheme set for the 1/48 Eagle I'm doing. Also grabbed a bottle of their thinner and retarder.

AB will be NEO.  I know they say AB ready out of the bottle, but has anyone found the need to thin more, or add retarder.  Spray temp will be in the high 60's in the shop.  Primer is MM Laquer, scuffed with a fine gray scotchbrite, a week ago, so is outgassed really well.

Planning on a couple of days at least before masking for the second color.

Any info or tips appreciated

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, January 28, 2018 1:23 PM

I’m curious to see how this turns out, so I look forward to your updates. I picked up a set of their USAF Modern Grays at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago for 40% off. 

BTW, I have been told by a guy in my AMPS  chapter who uses Vallejo paints that Model Master Acrylic Thinner works well with Vallejo. He builds some gorgeous models, so when I go down the Vallejo rabbit hole, I’ll use that combo.

 

 

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

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    June 2010
Posted by 5-high on Sunday, January 28, 2018 2:44 PM

Hay guys ..5-high here 

I'll be spraying Vallejo air here very shortly..its for the D9 dora underside ..ill let you know how it goes on ..and how and what I did to mix it ...im just in the middle battling the flu that i got in rules class ...ive haven't tried mm thinner with Vallejo paints ...but I have had great success with modelmaster acrylics thinned Vallejo airbrush thinner and a drop of liquitex..like you this will be a first for me ....ill keep you all updated 

Stay tuned for pics as well 

5-high 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, January 28, 2018 3:30 PM

Vallejo nomenclature can be confusing. There is more than one product labeled "retarder", same for "thinner".

Here are the product names you do want:

Vallejo Airbrush Thinner. It should have a "NEW FORMULA" in small red letters in the label. The bottle size I have is product #71.061

Airbrush Flow Improver. It should have a little graphic of an airbrush on label. The dropper bottle size I have is product #71.262

If you can pass along the Vallejo product numbers on the stuff you have, I can at least advise if it's the right stuff and maybe add 2 cents or so.

I hope you end up liking spraying Vallejo Model Color. I do.

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Sunday, January 28, 2018 3:50 PM

So got the Retarder, medium, #70.597, sounds like I'll set it aside for now.  The thinner is marked airbrush thinner, black top, #71.261.  Have a limited availibility here, being HL 15 miles away and a LHS 40 miles away, that only carries mostly their washes.

Will swing by HL on the way to VA tomorrow and check to see what they have.

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, January 28, 2018 4:00 PM

Your Airbrush thinner is fine, just a different size bottle than I happened to grab. You are golden on the thinner.

Right, set the retarder medium aside. It is for making Model Color (one of the the brush painting Vallejo lines) dry slower so it stays wet on the pallette longer. Not knowing any better, years back I thought it was ok for airbrush. Wasn't.

IMO, Vallejo changed the whole ballgame witht the Airbrush Flow Improver, which was pointed out to me here a year or so ago by a fellow forum member.

Sorry for the delay in your getting what you need, hope this helps though.

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, January 28, 2018 4:08 PM

I should have mentioned that Model Air will spray ok without the Airbrush Flow Improver, but the flow improver helps with dry-tip so much I'd be almost tempted to say it makes dry-tip go away.

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Sunday, January 28, 2018 4:10 PM

Anything to do with Vallejo is a help. Just like changing our paint system in the body shop. Wasn't planning on painting until later in the week or next w/e anyway.  Doing it at work, and schedule is pretty full at the moment.

Will grab the flow improver if they have it.

 

Thanks Greg, appreciate it.

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, January 28, 2018 10:43 PM

Absolutely, happy to be of some use to a fellow modeler.

I'm not an expert but I have a few years experience with Vallejo Model Air and Model Color so if I can help with your transition, please let me know.

  • Member since
    August 2017
Posted by laskdjn on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 10:04 AM

One thing to note, Vallejo specifies that the maximum ratio of flow improver to paint is 5-10%.  Now I've never tried exceeding that, but apparently, your paint will never dry if you use too much.

 

Edit:  Also, normally, what I do, since I'm in California and it's dry here, I just go ahead and do the math and mix the appropriate amount of flow improver directly into my thinner.

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 1:11 PM

I wasn't aware of that, thank you for the information.

  • Member since
    February 2017
Posted by m3panzers on Sunday, February 4, 2018 4:39 PM

thanks Greg!

your advice helped me too!Im just getting back to the hobby after 15 years, relearning airbrushing( properly this time) and going acrylic after being focused on Model Master enamels. Imusing Vallejo since its locally available !

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, February 4, 2018 9:35 PM

m3panzers

thanks Greg!

your advice helped me too!Im just getting back to the hobby after 15 years, relearning airbrushing( properly this time) and going acrylic after being focused on Model Master enamels. Imusing Vallejo since its locally available !

 

Absolutely, M3. Welcome back to the hobby (and the world of acrylics...in our cases). That has been a transition for me too, from the enamels in my past.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.