Best paint (by brand)???

Haha, there are some people that are very similar to me after all. I also used to build alot as a kid and got back into building a couple of months ago.

Anyway.

As far as paint goes, I've had no problems what so ever with Model Master, Tamiya, Humbrol and Alclad II. They have all worked really good for me no matter what I used to paint. As far as it comes to airbrushing, I use mainly Model Master paints, and again, no bad experiences with these. Requries little thinning (for airbrushing) and looks very good. Tamiya and Humbrol paints are pretty much the same too. Good variety of colors and give a nice and clean look. Alclad II paints are slightly different since they are metal-finish paints. You can get anything from steel to chrome looks with these paints and this is more or less a must on airplane models.

Hope my information was of use.

Your paint choice is largely dependant on personal preference. Do you like Enamels or Acrylics?

Model Master / Gunze are good choices for Enamels.

Model Master / Tamiya are good choices for Acrylics.

If you are looking for a paint that brushes and air brushes well, you might need to focus on technique, more than brand. I use Tamiya and Model Master for both, but when I brush paint, I use acrylic retarder and lots of thinner to avoid brush strokes. Many light coats, works better than one thick coat when trying to avoid brush stroke marks.

 

on the above. I have had problems brushing on Tamiya acrylics, but it can be done, I probably just need to thin it more or something?

Just my :

Acrylics: Tamiya and Polyscale are my favorites, I don't like ModelMaster, and I won't buy Gunze, but these are personal preferences. I know some very good modelers who love Gunze and MM!

Enamels: Humbrol is the only brand I use at all, anymore. I've never airbrushed them, but they brush wonderfully.

Lacquer: Allclad and SNj.

But as has been said, above, technique (including dilution ratios) is far more important than what paint you buy, which is not to say that the paint is unimportant, just that there is no high tech material cure for bad technique.

Again, just my

Ditto on the above choices, and if you use acrylics, Vallejo acrylics are the best hands down for me... you can get them in WWII aircraft colors at www.greatmodels.com or www.squadron.com labeled "Aircraft Colors" or "Color of Eagles" .. if you are going to do more than just aircraft then www.coloradominiatures.com carries the entire Vallejo Model Air and Game Colors (for figures) line...

Good luck!  I just came back into this about 2 yrs ago after a 20 yr hiatus and a lot has changed for the better in the hobby!

The only paint I would not recommend is Humbrol acrylics.  I've heard they're OK for brushing, but they do not airbrush well in my personal experience, or anyone else I've asked about them.  However, paints do have different characteristics.  Even the same brand will change over the years, especially as some of the more interesting elements are now illegal!

Osher, you make a very good, and important, point about paints changing formulation. I was once a paint formulator for a paint company, and I can tell you from experience that paint formulations often change every month. Usually not a drastic change, but it happens. And a major change every two years is not uncommon. Usually, the paint still performs the same way, but solvent compatibility may change.

Tom,

Can you give us more detail about how you use Vallejo acrylics? I've heard some good things elsewhere about them.

And I like your sigfile. "Live free or die!"

Ross - there are basically 3 flavors of Vallejo, the Model Air formulated for airbrushing and prethinned, Model Color for brushing or airbrushing after thinning, and Game Color.  The first two basically have the same colors just different thicknesses.  The Game color is for painting figures and miniatures used in gaming so not much good other than for uniforms and flesh tones.

Using them is easy, I use Krylon primer to get the surface ready (not a necessity but I always like to be over careful) the paint comes in squirt bottles with a little dropper tip so you can really get precise in just how much paint goes in the brush.  Squirt it directly in the cup and spray!  Or thin as well if using Model Color.  I use a LOT less paint because I can squirt it directly into the airbrush a drop at the time and refill on the fly without having to reach for a pipette and such.

The pigments are ground extra fine which is why I think it gives such a nice smooth coat.  It also aids when spraying fine small detail with acrylic as there is less tip dry usually associated with acrylics.  (but still a little tip dry... it is still an acrylic at heart!) 

The Vallejo thinner has a retarder AND an adhesion agent to it so I always use it exclusively.  This is where the difference shows through with it and other acrylics when using their branded thinner.    The Vallejo thinner is $4.00 per 32ml bottle, but again because you use the built in dropper tip on the thinner as well to measure, there is no waste.  I've used the same bottle for over a year now on about 15 or so models and it is still 1/3 full.  You can also thin with distilled water, and I do at times when I am spraying very small detail.

If you like acrylics I really recommend trying them.  I think it will open up a whole new world of spraying for the average acrylic sprayer... I was able to put mottle on a 1/72 FW-190 with no probs because of the reduced tip dry. 

--=edit=--

As far as the sig, thanks...  200+ yr old words that still ring true!

Thank you all so much for your input and for sharing your experiences.  You've all been incredibly helpful and you are all greatly appreciated.  Very best wishes to all!!!

VB Dan wrote:

Hi! I built models since I was a kid ... and used primarily basic Testor's enamel for models... I want to go to the next level -- in quality, and in learning to use an airbrush.  I would appreciate any feedback as far as what paint brand(s) is/are the best to use for both brush-painting and airbrushing.  Thanks for all your help and advice!!!

I have only used Testors enamels for brushing since I was a kid too. Mostly because it was the easiest obtainable. Now that I moved to rural NH I only have one LHS within a days drive and he only carries Testors brand products (Testors, Model Mastors and Pactra). I might start giving some of the acrylics a try someday.

I think if you are good at brushing with Testors enamel, then stick with that but "try" other brands to see if they "work" for you. Everyone has they're own preference and "feel" for how paint flows. I.E. - My Dad used to paint houses as a spare job, he loved a certain type of paint from Sears, but hated Sherwin Williams and a few other well know brands. He said they just didn't cover the same and left brush strokes.

Triarius wrote:

"Live free or die!"

That be on our license plates.