An obvious question, but seriously, what are paint sets for?

I ask because I see paint sets having AFV colors, but they're not listed as airbrushable. So does one use these acrylic bottles for handpainting of a tank, or can they be airbrushed when thinned?

I've read posts where some modelers say that Vallejo Model Colors cannot be airbrushed and one should use Vallejo AIR. So what's the purpose of the paint sets if they're not advertised as airbrushable?

How about the Scale75, AK Interactive, and Ammo of MIG acrylic bottle paint sets? These aren't advertised as airbrushable, and yet they're sold as AFV colors. Then there's non-metallic, fantasy, mecha, emergency vehicles, Sci-Fi and other paint sets. Are these meant to be used with a handbrush as well? (Some of the paint sets, such as the Flesh Sets, are mostly meant to be handbrushed).

I'm just wondering if I should buy some AFV paint sets, or just stick with the individual bottles and paint sets listed as airbrushable.

I appreciate your insight. Thanks in advance.

Vallejo model colors can be airbrushed when thinned. Model Air is technically airbrushable out of the bottle (they are pre-thinned) but it helps to thin those down a little too. Pretty much most model paints (except for oils) are more-or-less airbrushable when thinned properly.

I have not had any problems yet with thinning "regular" Vallejo acrylics. I also use Vallejo Air. I have a couple of set of Mig on the way and I also have a couple AK. I seriously doubt I'll have an issue with thinning them (I currently use Tamiya's acrylic thinner).

Mike

Yes,as mentioned,they all are able to be airbrushed.But as to the sets,its convenient to have all the colors needed,but sometimes you don't need all the colors in the set.So it depends.

OK, so obviously with the paint sets, one can thin then down to airbrush, but buying airbrushable paint sets, one can't thicken them up to handpaint, correct?

So it's better to buy the non-airbrushable paint sets and then have the option of using them both to handpaint and airbrush?

Sorry for these obvious simple questions, but so far I just possess one paint Flesh set so I'm a greenhorn about acrylic bottle paint sets.

I would just buy the airbrush sets to airbrush. Then buy the colors you would want to hand paint in individual bottles. To hand paint airbrush paint is annoying. I try it but it takes many coats and the paint tends to separate.

well, it's obvious....
Paint sets are intended to get as much money from you as possible.
After that, the airbrusability (is there such a word?) of a paint is not defined by being sold in sets or individually.
Some of the "ready to airbrush" paints are actually not that easy to airbrush, so again the target behing was to get you off your money by means of just marketing and publicity.
We have always had brands which were easy to airbursh and others easy to brush, some even both, but they had never been sold in sets => see point one...
Kind regards
Nacho

I thought that the paint set colors would match closer to the actual color of the vehicle.

For instance, I bought the Vallejo NATO 3-tone woodland camouflage airbrush paint set. I do have individual bottles of Vallejo Model Color that may come close to the paint set colors, but these separate bottles' titles do not say or match "NATO Green" or "NATO Brown" found in the paint set. A paint set sells ISAF German Sand colors that don't seem to be sold individually.

So I assumed one cannot buy the correct colors individually, and thus one is forced to buy the paint sets with the correct colors (such as airbrushable aircraft grays). Or am I wrong in this and one can forgo the paint set colors with separate matching bottle colors and no one will be the wiser?

I bought the MIG Vietnam colours set. It was airbrush able from the bottle. I belive the colours are available separately as well.

I don't understand why oils can't be airbrushed. I actually never thought about it and it seems like a great idea!

Edit: Well, I found that they can be AB'd. Can't wait to test this out.
http://www.airbrushaction.com/airbrush-paint-buyers-guide