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AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Matthew Toms
In need a New acrylic paint Line
Unreality
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Georgia, United States
Joined: November 04, 2010
KitMaker: 172 posts
Armorama: 145 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 10:17 AM UTC
I've been using Polly Scale for many years now, but my LHS is phasing it out and I'm running out. So, I wanted to get your opinions on a good replacement line of acrylic paints. Here's what I need them for.

-fairly accurate RLM and German Armor colors

-good brush and airbrush painting

-it would be nice if the paint didn't clog up my airbrush as much as the MM Acrylics line has in the past (though the Winsor Newton fluid retarder has helped somewhat)

-low-odor (my sinuses limit my use of anything strong... i.e. enamels are my sworn enemy)

-easy to mix (because I do a lot of Star Wars customs as well, I need to be able to mix colors within the line)

-semi-easy to obtain in the US (online ordering is fine by me)

-I'd like them to have good adhesion, but I'll probably prime anyway to ensure strong bonds

Now, I have tried Tamiya (very nice airbrushing), Citadel, MM Acryl, and Vallejo. I'm probably weird, but I hate the Vallejo drop bottles. I like the ability to mix in the paint bottle itself than get a third bottle for mixed colors. But I'm open to any suggestions. Furthermore, I recently ordered several LifeColor acrylics from TankRats to try them.

Thank you ahead of time.

By the by, I am a new member, but a long time follower. So, feel free to correct me or suggest something. Thanks guys.
russamotto
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Utah, United States
Joined: December 14, 2007
KitMaker: 3,389 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 11:34 AM UTC
DOA acrylics. Low odor just like PS, and a good range of colors. They brush paint very well. They airbrush great according to others comments here, and you can obtain them online. They are made in the US and the owner is a site member.
captnenglish
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California, United States
Joined: May 20, 2008
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 11:57 AM UTC
Vallejo
cbreeze
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Illinois, United States
Joined: August 15, 2005
KitMaker: 87 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 12:09 PM UTC
Greetings,

Second vote for Vallejo. I recently switched to acrylics and with me, MM has been hit or miss. I started using Vallejo and have been really impressed with both the Model Air and Model Color lines. Best place and price to get them is Warnet. They spray ;and brush great. Just be sure to clean the plastic and use primer.

Hope this helps you,

Cbreeze
Bigrip74
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Texas, United States
Joined: February 22, 2008
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 12:31 PM UTC
Russ, what is the site that I could visit for the DOA paints?

Bob
Unreality
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Georgia, United States
Joined: November 04, 2010
KitMaker: 172 posts
Armorama: 145 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 12:42 PM UTC
I haven't tried DOA Paints, but I like his pigment line.

The website by the way is http://doahobbies.com/ (the [STORE] link is a bit small and in the top right corner)

Jedge3
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Michigan, United States
Joined: July 17, 2010
KitMaker: 258 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 12:44 PM UTC
I don't see paints on DOA site, are they still making them?
Unreality
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Georgia, United States
Joined: November 04, 2010
KitMaker: 172 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 12:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I don't see paints on DOA site, are they still making them?


I haven't seen them for a few weeks I believe. I've been wanting to try them. Still, DOA is operated by 1 guy in FL, so I can understand is he's been overwhelmed by demand or having trouble gathering supplies.
alanmac
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United Kingdom
Joined: February 25, 2007
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 12:56 PM UTC
DOA Paints.

This part of the business was sold to the UK web site Trackpads so I understand it.
http://doapaints.co.uk/

Alan
russamotto
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Utah, United States
Joined: December 14, 2007
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 01:00 PM UTC
I sent a PM to Brian Moore asking for info on the paint line.
viper29_ca
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: October 18, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 03:22 PM UTC
Ditto for Vallejo.....ticks off all the boxes you laid out above.

Vallejo now has a mixing bottle out now that you can custom make your colors in also.
captnenglish
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California, United States
Joined: May 20, 2008
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 04:13 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Ditto for Vallejo.....ticks off all the boxes you laid out above.

Vallejo now has a mixing bottle out now that you can custom make your colors in also.


I have been an acrylics painter for over 20 years and while I think Reaper is superior to Vallejo, I think Vallejo is the one that really meets all of your criteria,
Unreality
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Georgia, United States
Joined: November 04, 2010
KitMaker: 172 posts
Armorama: 145 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 04:25 PM UTC
Hmm. I suppose I'll have to give them another shot. Originally I only ordered a few from the Model Color line, and I neglected to grab a bottle of their thinner.

Anyone have experience with the LifeColor line of paints?

Thank you all for your replies by the way.
wildsgt
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Kentucky, United States
Joined: May 27, 2007
KitMaker: 327 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 04:31 PM UTC
VALLEJO
viper29_ca
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: October 18, 2002
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Posted: Friday, November 05, 2010 - 03:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Ditto for Vallejo.....ticks off all the boxes you laid out above.

Vallejo now has a mixing bottle out now that you can custom make your colors in also.


I have been an acrylics painter for over 20 years and while I think Reaper is superior to Vallejo, I think Vallejo is the one that really meets all of your criteria,


Reaper is actually manufactured by Vallejo.....so shouldn't really be that much difference between the 2 paints.
SSGToms
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: April 02, 2005
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Posted: Friday, November 05, 2010 - 04:13 AM UTC
Go with Vallejo. Lifecolor is good but Vallejo is better. Vallejo also has a much more extensive range of paints and paint mediums. Vallejo works great with Liquitex Slo-Dri and Flo-Aid (and all the other Liquitex products) available at any local Michaels Crafts Store.
Also, you can pop the dropper top off a Vallejo bottle to mix two colors in one bottle. It pops back on, too.
captnenglish
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California, United States
Joined: May 20, 2008
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Posted: Friday, November 05, 2010 - 04:24 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Ditto for Vallejo.....ticks off all the boxes you laid out above.

Vallejo now has a mixing bottle out now that you can custom make your colors in also.


I have been an acrylics painter for over 20 years and while I think Reaper is superior to Vallejo, I think Vallejo is the one that really meets all of your criteria,


Reaper is actually manufactured by Vallejo.....so shouldn't really be that much difference between the 2 paints.

I am pretty sure that Reaper is manufactured in house in Texas; but my point was that Vallejo has a line specifically for the airbrush and one for brush painting where Reaper does not though I know people that do airbrush with Reaper.
brentwal
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Washington, United States
Joined: February 06, 2010
KitMaker: 100 posts
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Posted: Friday, November 05, 2010 - 05:29 AM UTC
DOA is now made and sold by Trackpads as Alan said

Reaper is made in house in the US not by Vallejo.

I'd suggest Vallejo Model Air. LifeColor also works well
collin26
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: March 24, 2007
KitMaker: 317 posts
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Posted: Friday, November 05, 2010 - 08:24 AM UTC
Hello,
My 2 cents is.......try Tamiya "Acrylics" with either Mr.Hobby Thinner 250 or the Tamiya Laquer Thinner with the YELLOW cap.
I think you will be impressed with the Life Color paints as well. Exceletn finish and great color range. They are brushable as well. I use them for chipping. You can always mix to your licking as well. I have only used Life Color paints with Life Color thinner........I hope you bought some! It may work with others....I have no idea.
Mohawk73
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Friesland, Netherlands
Joined: December 13, 2009
KitMaker: 388 posts
Armorama: 73 posts
Posted: Friday, November 05, 2010 - 10:51 PM UTC
Vallejo for me as wel. Recently i changed to acrylics also to paint my aircraft. In lack of an AB i had to do it by handbrush. I must say even the large spaces had a perfect finish, after some practise and a quality brush. (Newton & Winsor)
Unreality
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Georgia, United States
Joined: November 04, 2010
KitMaker: 172 posts
Armorama: 145 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 06, 2010 - 07:47 AM UTC
So, for you Vallejo fans, what do you guys use to thin it? BWWF, Windex, Vallejo Thinner, Medea Thinner, some of you even suggested LifeColor thinner on another thread?

Thanks guys.
Mohawk73
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Friesland, Netherlands
Joined: December 13, 2009
KitMaker: 388 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 07, 2010 - 02:47 AM UTC
Demi water.
cbreeze
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Illinois, United States
Joined: August 15, 2005
KitMaker: 87 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 07, 2010 - 03:22 AM UTC
So far, I have been using the Model Air straight out of the bottle. The Model Color paints I just use water.

Hope this helps you,

Cbreeze
retiredyank
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Arkansas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2009
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Posted: Sunday, November 07, 2010 - 03:46 AM UTC
IPA is a great thinner for almost all acrylics. Normally, I only use Tamiya. However, there spectrum is quite limited. I suggest you by a mask and use Model Master, as these are far superior to most acrylics. If you must use an acrylic, go with Vallejo.
alanmac
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United Kingdom
Joined: February 25, 2007
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Posted: Sunday, November 07, 2010 - 05:20 AM UTC

Quoted Text

IPA is a great thinner for almost all acrylics. Normally, I only use Tamiya. However, there spectrum is quite limited. I suggest you by a mask and use Model Master, as these are far superior to most acrylics. If you must use an acrylic, go with Vallejo.


Not with Vallejo its not, same as using Tamiya thinner for Vallejo. It'll turn it to cream cheese. For Vallejo stick with their own thinner, deionised water, or straight tap water .

Alan
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