Hi all,

over the last couple of years, I've always painted with tamiya acrylics. However, I fell I can get a btter finish with humbrol so am going to give it a go on a PzIV-J that I'm currently building up.

So, just a few questions:

* what kind of proportion do people use for humbrol paint/thinner?

* what is the best way to prevent your paint job from collecting dust when drying? Is this a problem as I have always assumed the acrylics dry quicker and thus don't have this problem.

* any other general tips.

Cheers,

Ian.

Hi Ian,

First point of advice: stir/shake/mix Humbrol paint as best as you can. If you have a mechanical mixing device great. If you don't, use a smal ball bearing in the can and shake like hell. If wel shaken Humbrol paint can be applied by brush unthinned. For airbrush use add between 1/3 to 1/2 part of thinner (Humbrol or commercial synthetic thinner).
Humbrol matt paint dries "touch dry" in about half an hour, but if you want to add layers or washes let it dry for 24 hours.

Hope this helps.

Kris

Welcome to Armorama Ian.
I like to use Humbrol enamels and I dilute them 50-50. I sugest that you try with what proportion you feel ok, it also depends on what kind of airbrush you use and the pressure you are using.
If I´m going to apply an oil wash I let it dry for one day and then give a coat of Future, this will prevent of damaging the paint job with the thinner of the oil wash.
When I let the paint job for drying I place the kit inside of a plastic box (tupper ware).
Hope this help.

Hi Ian. Humbrol is a very adaptable paint. For thinning I use their own enamels thinners. It works best. For spraying i usually dilute it 60/40 paint/thinner. Airbrush can be cleaned then with normal white spirits. Others have had great results with balsamic turpentine ... cheaper and available from art supply stores.
For detail painting, I use it straight from the tin. For figure painting i dilute it a little so there is not lines. It is perfect for drybrushing and also as washes. If you wash... leave for 72 hours and you dont need a clear coat.
Do stir properly. I use toothpicks and stir and stab any lumps. Stir every time as it can look glossy if not stirred properly. I dont worry too much about this as i use model master clearcote (lacquer) to flatten afterwards.