Hey All,

This post is geared towards newbies like me, those with little experience with the different paint manufacturers out there.

I've been airbrushing Tamiya acrylic paint thus far on the few models I've worked on, and i must say, I hadn't realized how nice working with the Tamiya stuff is. Today, for the first time, I sprayed Model Master acrylic. Wow, what a difference, and not in a good way. I experienced more spattering with the MM, and cleanup was SIGNIFICANTLY more difficult. Tamiya cleans up great with water or Windex, even dried stuff. The MM that was dried, even for a minute, in the color cup of my airbrush, wouldn't budge with Windex. I ended up using lacquer thinner to clean the airbrush, which was a real pain. Regarding the finish, I can't really say too much, as the only thing I've painted are Abrams road wheels (Sand color), but I would say the paint laid down nicely, though not significantly different than the Tamiya paint. If this experience turns out to be how it always goes, I'll be happy to get back to using Tamiya.

Just thought I'd pass on my limited experience, for the benefit of anyone who might care!

I have to agree. If I am just doing a single color, for example I do like there Olive Drab. I use ammonia mixed with water to clean my airbrush, and have no issue. Note I do use their thinner.

Having used both extensively over the years, Tamiya does airbrush much better. The only time I ever bought Model Master was when I needed a specific color they make.

Agree with everybdody. Tamiya's acrylics are easier to handle and clean by far. I usually use isopropilic alcohol to clean it and works good too.
Model Master on the other hand I prefer the enamel line, great color accuracy and results when diluting and airbrushing with mineral spirits.

Okay, next rant...painting the inside (the 'dish' side) of M1A1 road wheels is a pain in the *ss. In addition to the difficulties with the MM paint (which I just confirmed to be consistent), I noted that Abrams road wheels, relatively small diameter, and relatively deep, were pretty hard to paint. Those walls were tough to spray, and I'm not sure that I got a good coat of paint on all of them. Good thing the plastic color (gray) wasn't some wild color that's hard to cover! This is supposed to be a FUN hobby, right? Guess I'm just in a whiney mood! At least I've got the wheels in a condition to hand paint the tires, which is what I wanted to get to.

Hmmmmm, 32 individual tires to paint by hand...arghhh!!!!

Curtis

Been there done that, but one some good music and sit back and take your time with them, make a game out of it or something.

As for airbrushing between, I have found turning the air pressure down as low as it will go and still spray, and move in real close with the nozzle. If using acrylics, keep a q-tip handy that has been soaked in thinner to keep nozzle clean.

Hope that helps, and I am looking forward to see the beast when it is done.

Kevin

Agree TAMIYA IS IDIOT PROOF!!maybe we should PRESSURE tamiya to come out with more colours.i hear dragon are doing acrylics HA HA HA

Hi curtis,

Tamiya and Future clear are the only paints i use in my AB. I use tamiya yellow top laqcuer to thin but have used Klean Strip laqcuer thinner when out of yellow top and it worked fantastic. Not had good results with MM especially the matt clear. its a frosting monster. anyways, that my 2 cents.

Good luck man,
Gary

I also only use Tamiya paints, I've never tried anything else apart from games workshop paint years ago when I was a kid.

The only problem I find is that no one gives their paint numbers on the instructions so I end up guessing, not a big problem for me as I'm not into building for pinpoint accuracy,more for relaxing. But I could see how it would be a pain for some people.

I know this thread is a bit dated but I just have to say that it is truly a dream of mine to have Tamiya expand its paint range. Imagine Tamiya with a range like that of Lifecolor. Man, I'd never have to buy another line of paint EVER again (except for metallics, which seem to always be nicer when they're lacquer-based).

For those in the know, why hasn't Tamiya expand when it comes to their acrylic range of paints?

Rob

i have use model air its ok but i really like the tamiya with the yellow cap thinner works the best. i use mm once did not like it. as far as road wheels i use this