Gloss black: Model Master or Tamiya?

As much as I love Tamiya acrylics, I find that the gloss colours can take days, up to a week or more, to fully cure. It's pretty much a case of paint and put under a dustproof cover for a few days before touching. 

No Testors little square bottle stuff at your LHS?

As a primer, I have pretty good luck with Ace Premium Gloss Black enamel. I am no fan of off-the -shelf hardware store stuff, and I probably wouldn't use it on a expensive model, but in a pinch building a 1/48 kit from the 70's say. it works well.

Use the Tamiya.

Thank you for all the replies!  I've often heard of people using "hardware" paint such as Krylon and I keep forgetting that's an option.  In fact, I even forgot that I did use Krylon gloss black once as an undercoat for an Alclad paint job I once did years ago.  It worked well the first time but, for some reason, it didn't work well for me the second time.  So I sorta shelved that idea since then.

Stik, actually you're right.  I do have a shelf full of the little square Testors bottles on my work bench.  They have given me good results.  I guess I just wanted to see what else was out there.  Call it an "experimental" phase.  I've always had good results with Testors and the MM line.

I did stop off at HobbyTown yesterday and I did have a bottle of the MM gloss black in my hand.  That's when I noticed that the shop, which is recently under new ownership, now has a well-stocked line of Alclad!  I have always heard people talk of how well the Alclad gloss black undercoat worked for them so I picked up a bottle to give it a try.  On a side note, I also spotted the re-released 1/48 scale Testors/Hawk U-2 spyplane on sale for 50% off.  How could I pass that up?

Thanks,

Eric

Since I find MM enamels easy to find in my area (Michaels and Hobby Lobby stores close by), MM black has been my go-to, but trying some Tamiya paints now, to learn how to work with them.  Previous attempts to get good gloss with Tamiya gave so-so results, but getting better this time.  However, as long as enamels are still available they will be my first choice.  I can easily get a deep, high gloss.

Don Stauffer

Since I find MM enamels easy to find in my area (Michaels and Hobby Lobby stores close by), MM black has been my go-to, but trying some Tamiya paints now, to learn how to work with them.  Previous attempts to get good gloss with Tamiya gave so-so results, but getting better this time.  However, as long as enamels are still available they will be my first choice.  I can easily get a deep, high gloss.

 

 

  Don and Murph, I am the same way.  MM and Tamiya are the only two paints I can get here en masse.  I'm starting to see more and more Vallejo paints creep into the area but I just don't know enough about their glossiness and their ease of use through an airbrush just yet.  I do have one of their bottles of German grey which I love using when I brush paint my aircraft tires.  But as Don and Murphy stated, with what I have readily available to me, the gloss enamels give me the deepest shine and toughest finish.

Mississippi, just the other day I read that Mr. Color has a gloss black that is supposed to be the bee's knees!  I can pick up MM and Tamiya anytime I want at my local stores but I think I really need to give the Mr. Color line of paints a try.  I need to join the 21st century and actually ORDER some paints on-line.  LOL!  I'm so used to going to the neighborhood brick-and-mortar stores for such things.  Old habits die hard, right?

Eric

echolmberg

Thank you for all the replies!  I've often heard of people using "hardware" paint such as Krylon and I keep forgetting that's an option.  In fact, I even forgot that I did use Krylon gloss black once as an undercoat for an Alclad paint job I once did years ago.  It worked well the first time but, for some reason, it didn't work well for me the second time.  So I sorta shelved that idea since then. 

This is the very reason why I've banished Krylon in raattle can, Krylon paint are 100% pure GARBAGE. I would have used Rustoleum brand instead in rattle can.

I use Testors in the little bottle thinned about 60-70% to get a very smooth finish. If you want a super glossy and smooth finish then shoot several enamel clear gloss coats and let it cure for a week or so. Then use some Novus and an old t shirt to rub out the paint. I did this on a couple of Blue Angel Hornets and the paint looks like a mirror.

I have also read Tamiya black with Mr. Leveling Thinner works great Specially if you shoot some Mr Thinner over the freshly applied paint.