Brushable enamel metallic paints

Hi, have you tried any of the Humbrol range of enamels? They have silver, copper, gold, green mist, sunset red, baltic blue, gun metal, brass,  bronze, aluminium, chrome silver, metallic black and moonlight blue in their metallic range as well as aluminium, polished aluminium, polished steel and gunmetal in the metalcote range with the gunmetal one being able to be buffed from its flat appearence to a shiny coat. I have had my tinlets for longer than I can remember with them all still being very fluid when used occasionally. Cheers Jim

Ross

As long as you are only using them for small areas and/or detailing, I've had good luck with either of the Testors enamel products (Testors small bottles and MM) or Humbrol products.  Plus I've got several bottles/cans of each that are between 10 and 20 years old and still usuable. 

Thanks for your replies! Back twenty or more years ago, when I still used enamels, Humbrol was my "paint of choice." I, too, had a tinlet that lasted twenty-five years (I opened it a few years ago and it had finally died). But I wonder how the paints have changed in that period of time. Paint formulations change frequently, due to the demands of economy (The price of this polymer has doubled in the last week!) and availability (What do you mean you don't have any pthalo blue?! I have one thousand orders to fill!) and the bottom line (We just bought this company—make our investment pay, NOW!).

How is your experience with Humbrol's recent production?

Triarius wrote:

Back twenty or more years ago, when I still used enamels, Humbrol was my "paint of choice." I, too, had a tinlet that lasted twenty-five years (I opened it a few years ago and it had finally died). But I wonder how the paints have changed in that period of time. Paint formulations change frequently, due to the demands of economy (The price of this polymer has doubled in the last week!) and availability (What do you mean you don't have any pthalo blue?! I have one thousand orders to fill!) and the bottom line (We just bought this company—make our investment pay, NOW!).

Well, I got nothin' Mr. Paint. I have Hunbrol, Model Master/Testors, Mr. Color and Tamiya,, Oh also Allclad. The Aqiously type paints do not do well in their representation of a metallic surface. I find (thru dilligent and unnerving testing you will not find a better organic/carbon/mineral spirt/oil base/  U4Fos/ paint than what I currently use) If your having trouble with the paint your now using ? try something diffrent. or reverse the way your apliying the paint. Metallivc paints are a different animal. First you should study all of the msg"s AND prior to painting any and all safety precautions should be anilmlized and followed with extreme care. Next determine exactly where your at, if your in a kitchen or a garage then that changes everything. Avoid any areas that are organicicly or aquiiosly unfriendly. this may or may not a/effect your thinner/reducer in a way you may have to repeat the process.B / (   ) Most Metallic enamels will respond to a flactulent mixture of enough thinner/reducer to make it flow with the adjusted air from a non pulsating (BEST CHOICE) air supply with a continuose CFM of at least the bi product E=MC2. Hope this Helps