Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
Acrylic or Enamel
ARENGCA
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Arizona, United States
Joined: February 13, 2002
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 12:26 AM UTC
Baaaackkk to the original question...

I use enamels and acrylics. I like acrylics (primarily ModelMaster) for airbrushing, because they clean up easily and don't foul the air. The odor from sprayed acrylics is almost nil (there is a bit of alchohol smell, but not bad), and since I have no spray booth it helps keep my wife off of my back. I use the ModelMaster airbrushing thinner that they recommend, but usually not much of it. With enamels, there is odor from the solvent when spraying, and also when cleaning up. There is a residual odor from the waste you dispose of, unless you take it out right away, too. So, acrylics for spraying.

That said, I prefer enamels (again, mostly ModelMaster...can't beat the color selection!) for brush and detail painting. I have not been happy with the coverage I get from acrylics when I brush them, and the enamels seem to do a better job off of a brush. Other than some of the paints (Ral Partha, etc.) made for fantasy figs, I have had significant problems with acrylics on figures. The thinner consistency of the acrylic seems to want to settle into depressions, leaving poor coverage on the high spots. This is just my opinion of course, others may have different experiences.

I rarely use the Testors enamels that come in the square bottles. Something about them just doesn't work for me. They seem thick or heavy or something.

For washes, use enamels. Acrylics seem to go all grainy and don't flow well when thinned that far. They also don't stick that well, I have had the pigment come off on my fingers days after the wash was put on.

Good luck!

YodaMan
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 12:32 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I rarely use the Testors enamels that come in the square bottles. Something about them just doesn't work for me. They seem thick or heavy or something.


Yes, that sure is true! Most of the paint also seems very sticky. I don't remember if that was mainly for the gloss enamels, but I now buy only the ModelMasters acrylics and enamels. Most though, I stick to the acrylics.

YodaMan
A compressor, I now own. (quiet it is)
m1garand
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Washington, United States
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 12:33 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I rarely use the Testors enamels that come in the square bottles. Something about them just doesn't work for me. They seem thick or heavy or something.



That and the color doesn't always seem right to me. I use Model Master and Humbrol enamels.

GO SHARKS!!!
Tiger1
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 12:35 AM UTC
I prefer acrylic's over enamels. I use acrylic's almost exclusively when I paint German Armor (which is the majority). But I will use Humbrol enamel's when I paint Allied Armor. I always make sure that I use my spray booth and respirator when using enamels. Also I like to wash my AFV's in oil's, so base coating with acrylic's is a safer option. :-)
210cav
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Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 01:32 AM UTC
One more month until the birthday present is mine...a new airbrush and a compressor. Until then, I am adjusting to using Master Modeler spray cans and trying to use the bottled air brush....a true challenge. I might add it is also a wee bit expensive. Those darn bottle run $12 a piece.
DJ
m1garand
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 01:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

One more month until the birthday present is mine...a new airbrush and a compressor. Until then, I am adjusting to using Master Modeler spray cans and trying to use the bottled air brush....a true challenge. I might add it is also a wee bit expensive. Those darn bottle run $12 a piece.
DJ



The only spraying I do right now is Model Master spray cans, they work, but not many effects and not much control.
YodaMan
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 01:39 AM UTC
That's exactly why, 2 months ago, I said I would not paint a model until I got my airbrush!

YodaMan
Go airbrush, GO!
m1garand
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 01:41 AM UTC

Quoted Text

That's exactly why, 2 months ago, I said I would not paint a model until I got my airbrush!

YodaMan
Go airbrush, GO!



But then all you have are naked models. :-)
YodaMan
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 03:10 AM UTC
Riiiiiight..........
210, if you're looking for something else to thin acrylics, Testors has something called
'Acryl Thinner
Dilutant Acryl' (the number is # 50496)
"Use for thinning Model Master Acryl paint"
I don't know too much about it, but I got some so I'll try it and tell you how it works.

YodaMan
m60a3
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Georgia, United States
Joined: March 08, 2002
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 03:18 AM UTC
Acrylics for tanks and airplanes(Polly S/PollyScale/ModeltMaster), washes in either enamel or oils (or both). Have been using acrylics since my dad first got me into modelling (1971).
For figures, acrylic base (Vallejo/Andrea/Prince August), oils for painting, shading and highlighting.
Avs, Isles and Habs BETTER finish the job...Ted Nolan to the Devils!
210cav
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 03:54 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Riiiiiight..........
210, if you're looking for something else to thin acrylics, Testors has something called
'Acryl Thinner
Dilutant Acryl' (the number is # 50496)
"Use for thinning Model Master Acryl paint"
I don't know too much about it, but I got some so I'll try it and tell you how it works.

YodaMan



Yoda--many thanks. I shall purchase some in the near future.
DJ
pipesmoker
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Virginia, United States
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 04:54 AM UTC
I prefer enamels for my base coat, then acrylics over for final coat.
Enamels first because I usually forget to wash the parts before beginning to build.
I use Model Master or the little Testors bottles and then Tamiya, MM or Badger acrylics.

RufusLeeking
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Ohio, United States
Joined: January 18, 2002
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 05:00 AM UTC
Like the other Ron, this Ron also uses both paints, but I prefer enamels. The family hates it when I shoot enamels...maybe that's why I prefer them.
Phantom
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 05:59 AM UTC
I switched almost entirely to acrylics about ten years ago. I still use enamel spraypaints, but only use a couple of enamel jars. I'm convinced that all those years of enamel and thinner fumes have killed a considerable portion of brain cells over the years.

I've never tried oils - they always seemed difficult to work with, and slow drying time hasn't always worked well with my building style. :-)
penpen
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Hauts-de-Seine, France
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 06:11 AM UTC
I use mainly humbrol enamels.
I've just baught some artist oils and I'll be trying them on figures within a few days.

When doing a wash with acrilics, to make sure you don't get that grainy look, add some dishwashing soap ! It works great.

penpen
matt
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
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New York, United States
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 06:12 AM UTC
I use both (mainly enamel because that's what i have the most of) untill it's gone.

Matt
TreadHead
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 12, 2002
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 10:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Tread.

GO AV'S !!!! CRUSH ALL WHO COME BEFORE YOU!
ESPECIALLY THE 'WINGS'. EAT THEM FOR LUNCH, WITH A SIDE OF RANCH DRESSING & CARROT STICKS...
HA HAAAAAAAA!!!

It'd be a downright shame if the Avs lost to the Kings tonight in game 7......

YodaMan
GO RED WINGS!!! GO GO GO!!!
THE AVS WILL BE BURIED!!!... FORGOTTEN IN THE FIRST ROUND! HA HA HAAAAAAA!!!!!!




...................you can be dealt with......I got a couple of 'Goomba's' in Detroit that can........

I better shut my mouth until the end of the Game...

Tread ..."howyadoin?"
Tin_Can
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Florida, United States
Joined: January 26, 2002
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 10:31 AM UTC
Long time ago I used the old testors enamels. Since returing to the hobby I discovered acrylics and now use Tamiya Acrylics exclusively. Their easy to clean up and are great for airbrushing. Believe it or not, I've actually airbrushed the tamiya acrylics straight from the bottle. Normally when airbrushing, though, I thin with reagular alcohol at a 1:1 ratio for general coverage work. One thing I've found out with the tamiya flat acrylics is that when thinned with alcohol and airbrushed they come out very, very flat which is nice. For airbrushing weathering or detail work I mix a very, very thin mixture of paint-about 1 drop to 2 or 3 eyedroppers of alcohol. I normally airbrush from 15-20 pounds but have gone higher for certain applications.
TreadHead
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Joined: January 12, 2002
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 12:30 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Tread.

GO AV'S !!!! CRUSH ALL WHO COME BEFORE YOU!
ESPECIALLY THE 'WINGS'. EAT THEM FOR LUNCH, WITH A SIDE OF RANCH DRESSING & CARROT STICKS...
HA HAAAAAAAA!!!

It'd be a downright shame if the Avs lost to the Kings tonight in game 7......

YodaMan
GO RED WINGS!!! GO GO GO!!!
THE AVS WILL BE BURIED!!!... FORGOTTEN IN THE FIRST ROUND! HA HA HAAAAAAA!!!!!!



O.K. Yoda Man.........I just gotta say it................

GOOOOOOOOO AVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Won game 7!!! Not only won it, but SKUNKED EM!!!!

HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!


........humbly ,

Tread.

............hehehehe.
210cav
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Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
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Posted: Monday, April 29, 2002 - 08:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Long time ago I used the old testors enamels. Since returing to the hobby I discovered acrylics and now use Tamiya Acrylics exclusively. Their easy to clean up and are great for airbrushing. Believe it or not, I've actually airbrushed the tamiya acrylics straight from the bottle. Normally when airbrushing, though, I thin with reagular alcohol at a 1:1 ratio for general coverage work. One thing I've found out with the tamiya flat acrylics is that when thinned with alcohol and airbrushed they come out very, very flat which is nice. For airbrushing weathering or detail work I mix a very, very thin mixture of paint-about 1 drop to 2 or 3 eyedroppers of alcohol. I normally airbrush from 15-20 pounds but have gone higher for certain applications.



Bryan--thanks for the info.
DJ
Bravo-Comm
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Joined: March 20, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 02:04 AM UTC
This Subject seems pretty well covered. BUT for my two cents worth. I used to use Testors but came up with the same results as most of you. AND THEN. I discovered Tamiya and Model Master. Used both and found that I liked M.M the best and have pretty much used them only. Though I have been considering using or trying Polly-Scale. Any one Here ever tried it ?? Most likely will stick with M.M. I have a really good compressor. The type name fails my memory at this time. But it's the one with internal pressure gauge and on and off switch built in. Any way it's a really nice one and I like using it. No more smelly cans of Testors compressed air. ( Man I really am short brained today) I can't remember what it is called either. i.e. Blue can Black lid. Oh well. Anyway the Model Master paints and My compressor has helped me to turn out some nice looking models and works very nicely for me.


DAGGER: A weapon with a short pointed Blade: "THE CUTTING EDGE"
YodaMan
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Posted: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 02:28 AM UTC
Seems like those cans of compressed air can get expensive after a while too. I was at the hobbyshop yesterday, and they had a big can of compressed air for $13. That would add up after a little while...

YodaMan
My 5th consecutive correctly spelled post
Tin_Can
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Posted: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 02:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Seems like those cans of compressed air can get expensive after a while too. I was at the hobbyshop yesterday, and they had a big can of compressed air for $13. That would add up after a little while...

YodaMan
My 5th consecutive correctly spelled post



Put it this way Jedi Master,
For eight or nine of those cans you can get a pretty descent compressor in the CH FP2003.
210cav
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Posted: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 02:49 AM UTC
Bryan--I pray to the great gods of modeling to allow me to put $12 down get the blasted can of air, finish the model, and await the speedy arrival of the birthday compressor and airbrush(es)....
DJ
YodaMan
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Posted: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 02:57 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Bryan--I pray to the great gods of modeling to allow me to put $12 down get the blasted can of air, finish the model, and await the speedy arrival of the birthday compressor and airbrush(es)....
DJ

I just went out and got a job. (my parents were getting tired of me begging them for a compressor)
That way, I can afford a compressor a week. If I wanted to.

YodaMan