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Your favorite paint brand

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  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Your favorite paint brand
Posted by eizzle on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 6:02 PM

I have been using MM for some time now, but I have bought a lot of Tamiya and a couple bottles of Polly Scale. I like MM, but I have heard good things about Polly Scale, so I figured I would give them a try. The thing I really don't care for about Tamiya is that they don't make any colors in bottles that are anything. There is no Dark Ghost Gray or Dark Gull Gray, its Sky Gray or something else. The only colors they do make that are labeled like that are in spray cans. So what brand do you prefer and why?

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Boyertown, PA, USA
Posted by Dubau on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 6:47 PM

MM all the way.

Bud

" You've experienced a set back, and without set backs and learning how to fix them you'll never make the leap from kit builder to modeler "
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois
Posted by Triarius on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 7:01 PM
I've never liked MM—great color selection, but they just don't seem to work well for me, and they seem to have greater problems with adhesion than most.

I love PollyScale. speaking as a former "paint professional" they are a joy to use, very forgiving, great adhesion, beautiful finish, and decent color selection. The only drawback is that they don't brush very well—poor hide.

I am also a dedicated Tamiya user. I use them as primers and as basic colors. Not as easy to use as PollyScale, but otherwise great paint when used properly.

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 7:26 PM

 Triarius wrote:
I've never liked MM—great color selection, but they just don't seem to work well for me, and they seem to have greater problems with adhesion than most.

I love PollyScale. speaking as a former "paint professional" they are a joy to use, very forgiving, great adhesion, beautiful finish, and decent color selection. The only drawback is that they don't brush very well—poor hide.

I am also a dedicated Tamiya user. I use them as primers and as basic colors. Not as easy to use as PollyScale, but otherwise great paint when used properly.

I always like MM because of the FS numbers and accuracy. I haven't tried their acrylic line up. The way its looking on my paint table, I won't be needing to buy any for awhile either... oh well. I have a 1/32 Hornet I am planning to use the Polly Scale on.

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:07 PM
nothing but MM enamels here,for the color selection and consistency of a single line,makes it easier to get to know the characteristics of each color,i use regular paint thinner for allbut have noticed that the Army/Marine sand color doesn't play well with thinner so i use laquer thinner for that
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:56 PM
Colourcoats by White Ensign.   Enamels,  accurately matched to paint scrapings,  specifications, or original paint recipes.   Airbrushes and hand brushes well
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: San Tan Valley,AZ
Posted by smokinguns3 on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:22 PM
I use MM enamel exlusavly and thin with laquer thinner, ive tryed there acrylic but have had major issues with adeshion paint pealing off with the tape. So iam back with enamels i also like the variaty you get with MM. and the avalabilaty that the big one.
Rob I think i can I think i can
  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Maryland
Posted by usmc1371 on Thursday, October 26, 2006 8:05 AM
Wow, I'm surprised to see how many people use MM Enamels. Well, I'm another one. I've used Tamiya and MM Acryl paints also, but now I use MM Enamels exclusively. It's hard to beat their adhesion, durability, color range, and availability.

-Jesse
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Boyertown, PA, USA
Posted by Dubau on Thursday, October 26, 2006 8:14 AM

Sorry I did not say what type of MM I use. I ONLY use MM Acryl and  "maybe" Tamiya Acryl.

Bud

" You've experienced a set back, and without set backs and learning how to fix them you'll never make the leap from kit builder to modeler "
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Thursday, October 26, 2006 9:23 AM
Ive used MM enamels since they were first released  . I use their thinner and have had no major problems . What brought me to MM is their use of the FS system . Ive used Tamiya acrylics but they are hard to find were i shop . MM acylics are ok but dont seem to adhere as well as enamels . I like to use acrylics over enamels for camoflague painting , that way if i dont like the design i can remove the acrylic paint with some Simple Green and repaint , with no damage done to base enamel color  . Then seal the acrylic between colors with enamel clear . Anyway thats my My 2 cents [2c]
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Humble
Posted by rrmmodeler on Thursday, October 26, 2006 9:25 AM

My favorite brand of paint is Polly Scale. Followed by Tamiya and Gunze's Mr. Color Liine. I also really like some of the Color of Eagles paints as well. I use to use MM enamels many years ago but switched to Acrylic and never looked back. The ease of clean up is a big plus. Lately I have been moving more towards Gunze and Tamiya paints more since Polly Scale is getting so expensive. Seems Testers is trying to price them out of the market. To bad speacially since I hate Testers own Acrylic line.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Mist086 on Thursday, October 26, 2006 11:06 AM
I'v tried them all at least onece, but i am really in love with the Tamiya Acrylics.  They coat wonderful and look really good in flat colors
  • Member since
    February 2006
Posted by Neptune48 on Thursday, October 26, 2006 12:37 PM
 eizzle wrote:

...So what brand do you prefer and why?

For airbrushing...

  • Acrylics:   Haven't used them enough to have a favorite.
  • Enamels: Xtracolor, from Hannants.  Intense pigmentation, spray on like butter, level nicely to high gloss finish.  No need for Future before applying decals.  Modern and WWII colors available for most of the military powers.
  • Lacquers: Scalecoat II (for plastics).  Unfortunately, the color selection is limited to RR colors, but they can be rubbed out and polished to a surface that looks very much like painted metal.

    I'm eager to try Mr. Color lacquers, too.  I'm told they can be ordered and shipped to the US from Rainbow Ten online.

Regards,
Bruce

"You can't have everything--where would you put it?"
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Thursday, October 26, 2006 3:26 PM

Thanks guys. I didn't realize so many people here used MM enamels! For once I am in the majority! I liked the MM line because of the use of the FS numbers, much easier to find the paint color!

Neptune, I have heard of the Xtracolor paints. I heard they were really nice to use!

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I will probably just stick with MM, I have so many it will take forever to get rid of them all!

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Friday, October 27, 2006 12:52 AM
I know what your saying eizzle , i've got a lot of MM also . Their the easiest to get ahold of around here .
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Dallas
Posted by KINGTHAD on Friday, October 27, 2006 11:57 AM

 I have a whole wall full of differant paints and MM is the one I go to the most.

 

Thad

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Southern California, USA
Posted by ABARNE on Friday, October 27, 2006 1:55 PM
I use MM enamels for most things.  I like the color selection and find enamles to be generally easier to work with because of superior adhesion and ease of brushing.  When I use acrylics, mostly for vinyl tank treads and weathering, I use MM acryl and Tamiya, choosing whichever has the color in which I'm interested in.         
  • Member since
    October 2006
Posted by Inquisitor on Friday, October 27, 2006 6:02 PM
I use primarily acyrllics- vallejo, GW, reaper, golden, liquitex.  Some MM, primarily for washes.   
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Chipley FL
Posted by urich on Saturday, October 28, 2006 2:31 AM

 

     I would have to go with the majority MM I have about 150 bottles in my work area The last time I was home I spent about 150.00 in my LHS at one shot. I just ordered 10 more bottles so they will be there when I get home this trip  

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Saturday, October 28, 2006 7:35 PM

 

Take care over there urich!

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Chipley FL
Posted by urich on Sunday, October 29, 2006 3:50 AM

 

Thank you Shellback I'm in the GZ pretty safe here every now and again a rocket or mortor the troops in the field are the real ones that have it bad. Keep them in your prayers.

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Sunday, October 29, 2006 1:12 PM
 urich wrote:

 

Thank you Shellback I'm in the GZ pretty safe here every now and again a rocket or mortor the troops in the field are the real ones that have it bad. Keep them in your prayers.

I'll do that urich . Thanks .

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Calgary
Posted by MaxPower on Monday, October 30, 2006 10:45 PM

I like Tamiya acrylics. They airbrush wonderfully and clean up easily. Brushing them is a nightmare though, I only do on small parts I cover in just a stroke or two.

I haven't tried alot of other acrylics like Gunze just because my LHS doesn't carry them. Plus I build Tamiya models mostly so the colours are easy. I just wish they had more colours and offered the colours in their rattle cans in bottles.

I'm using MM gunship grey for the exterior of my current build, a 1/32 F15e.

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois
Posted by Triarius on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 10:03 AM
 MaxPower wrote:

I like Tamiya acrylics. <snip> Brushing them is a nightmare though, I only do on small parts I cover in just a stroke or two.

You can solve this problem with two techniques:

  1. Dip your brush tip into 90% isopropyl alcohol just before dipping it into the Tamiya paint. This requires decanting a small amount of paint to avoid changing the solvent:binder ratio in the jar.
  2. Use a small amount of acrylic retarder (like Golden's or Liquitex) mixed in the paint you brush on. 

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Calgary
Posted by MaxPower on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 9:08 PM

 Triarius wrote:

 

  1. Dip your brush tip into 90% isopropyl alcohol  

 

You know I tried to find that in one of the large Canadian drug store chains and the highest I could get was 70%. That's been the case everywhere.

 

Then it occured to me... it isn't a behind the counter product is it? 

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois
Posted by Triarius on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 9:41 PM
South of your border it  usually isn't—but it's often nowhere near the 70% stuff, and there usually is not as much on the shelf. Up in the great frozen north, it may be a behind the counter item, for all I know. Down here, I've occasionally had to ask for it, only to be lead to an obscure location in the store where I would never have looked, otherwise.

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Newfoundland, Canada
Posted by ZzZGuy on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 9:44 PM
 MaxPower wrote:

 Triarius wrote:

 

  1. Dip your brush tip into 90% isopropyl alcohol  

 

You know I tried to find that in one of the large Canadian drug store chains and the highest I could get was 70%. That's been the case everywhere.

 

Then it occured to me... it isn't a behind the counter product is it? 

 

I get mine at the local drug store or walmart. 

Mongol General: Conan, What is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven befor you, and hear the lamentations of the woman!

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Calgary
Posted by MaxPower on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 10:53 PM
 ZzZGuy wrote:

 

 

I get mine at the local drug store or walmart. 

I didn't see it on Walyworld, but then again I didn't ask. I would have thought London Drugs would be a sure thing.

I'm going to ask next time. 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Thursday, November 2, 2006 7:46 PM
I'm a true blue Vallejo/Color of Eagles (also made by Vallejo) acrylic user.  Sometimes I'll use MM Acryl if I don't feel like ordering online or driving the hour to the hobby shop that has the full line of Vallejo. 
---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: White Mountains, NH
Posted by jhande on Saturday, November 4, 2006 8:13 PM

As far as model brand paints go, I'm still working off my collection of MM & Testors enamels.

 

 

-- Jim --
"Put the pedal down & shake the ground!"

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