getting ready to paint this weekend (prime and base coat) new to this and kind of lost still...what are the pros and cons between the two products or are they the same?

Craig,
The products from AK Interactive & Mig Productions are NOT the same.
These are both two different companies that bring unique and excelent weathering & finishing products to modelers.
I would suggest taking a look at both:
www.ak-interactive-usa.com as well as www.migproductions-usa.com and look through all products and aplications.
If you visit www.ak-interactive-usa.com and click on the "weathering articles" you will find different tutorials etc.
I am sure many articles have been posted on the web that feature Mig Productions weathering tools as well.
First, you must know how you plan to finish your model, then you can make a choice of product(s) that best fits your style and the desired outcome. If I can help you with anything related to AK Interactive, please do not hesitate to ask.
I am sure Mig Productions would offer you the same personal assistance friend.

Hello.!

Well, I designed both, each color and each aplication in both brands. In fact, all products that I have made were the only ones for weathering in the market, specificly for military subjects.

But also, I can say sincerily that with the new AK Interactive products we have improve a lot the quality of the products, as well as the price, reducing benefits and costs.

Except for the Abteilung oils, which still very high quality, I cannot continue guaranteeing the quality of Mig productions products, which have fallen their quality considerably since I has left my company since 2 years ago. In AK stuff we have change the the production process, improving the quality and keeping the ratio in each product.

In another hand, as Iain said, Ak stuff is a bit differenet than my ex-products from Mig. Many techniques is not more simple with the new colors, and we have develop a big range of Mud, Dust and Erath colors for tanks. here some examples of uses:

STREAKING EFFECTS

MUD

RAINMARKS

And much more here:

http://ak-interactive.blogspot.com/

Anyway, if you have more doubts, just drop me an email. I think I know everything from both products.

regards

MIG Jimenez

perfect thanks for the info all that cleared up a bunch of questions

Hi

Without showing any Bias I use both Mig & AK in my weathering process.

I paint the model using oils so first use Mig Pigments attached with either IPA or Acrylic Varnish, as they do not affect the enamel base, I then seal the model with a matt acrylic varnish and then apply AK enamel based products, once finnished if needed they also can be sealed with your choice of matt varnish.

If you paint with acrylics just reverse the order or seal with spirit based clear coat..

Just remember to use the oppropriate clear to seal between oil and acrylic base coats.

Paul

I also use the Mig productions oils as well because they still very good and offer great colors!!! No problem with those ones!

In faq, an apropiated mix of techniques and products is always the best option for any project.

Acrylic colors in combination with enamel products, oils, etc....is always better.

MIG

You may also want to consider Dr. Bens. They are available on ebay, micromark, and modelexpo sites and are cheaper than AK and Mig.