Hi
Whats the difference between acrylics and enamals?
Which paint companies do you recommend?
and any other information that you think might be usefull

Thanks :-)

Hiya Joey, without getting too technical, I personally prefer enamels. They give a better finish, especially when using a brush. Also, from what I've seen, they spray a lot better through an airbrush as well.

Enamels are a little messier and don't clean up with water, but I think this is a tiny sacrifice for their superiority. At the end of the day, you only need a small amount of turpentine for a thorough clean up.

If you wan't acrylics, Tamiya is easy to find with a wide range, but aren't anything special.

Humbrol have very good enamels at a low price.

I think you'll find you'll get as many different answers to this question as you'll get people who answer it. As far as the difference between acrylics and enamels I believe it is what they are based on. Acrylics are water based and enamels are oil based. That is why acrylics wash up with water. Whilce I understand where Cokes is coming from I'm in the process of going strickly acrylics. I just like the ease of clean up, less smell, and the cost. While I don't like putting any more money into Tamiyas pocket I've gotten a fair number of their paint over the last few weeks. Mainly because most all of my kits are from Tamiya and the newer ones all give their numbering system as a guide for painting. It's just easier to chose a color by going to the instructions and selecting the color they recommend by number.

Another great source of acrylic paints is Wal-Mart or "craft" stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby. I doubt they have any of these stores in Israel but there may be similar stores there. These stores sell a large number of very inexpensive craft paints, some names are Apple Barrel or Plaid. These are paints like my wife uses for her crafts. They are VERY inexpensive, and they have a huge range of colors. The thing is because they are made for crafts and not modeling you won't find "British Desert Tan" as a color, for example. You'll find colors like Butterscotch, or taupe. As long as you have something to go on as far as what color you'll looking for you can match just about any military color you'll ever need in these paints.

Thanks for the info. :-)

Joey (et al)
Saw this guide on testors.com a while back.
I bookmarked it because it was a good reference.
Chapter 5 will answer a lot of your questions about paint.
Subsequent chapters will demo a lot of techniques that you may find helpful in getting the most of your paints, ie: washes, dry brushing, etc.
The guide is located at testors.com, see URL below
http://www.testors.com/hobbyist_guides.asp

I read your profile since I'm interested in the Middle East, IDF armor kits would be well served with a wash to bring out the detail of your Armored Fighting Vehicles, AFVs,
and all aircraft benefit from a light wash to make their panels show.

I use enamels, almost exclusively, and agree that they cover well, and clean up is more cumbersome, and the smells are a little worse.
I just began expirementing with acrylic washes over enamels and am pleased thus far.
I just gave my first shot of Testors Metalizer a try and was quite pleased with it.

Hope this helps
Firemann816

Great link Firemann816, thanks.

Sure, good luck, and post pics when you build it!!!

I too have gotten away from enamels a couple of years ago and use only acrylics. Put it this way, I will not go back to enamels.
Model Masters are what I use mostly, though they are not the only ones available. Life Colors are another I have been using recently. I like em so far.

Kencelot -
Ive looked over your gallery, while my paint dries.

As a learning thing for me, and others, is there a "transition point" in the gallery where one kit (or series) is enamels, and the subsequent ones are the acrylics?

I was thinking of staying on enamels for my base coat, for their basic durability, and I usually spray them with the AB. I like the idea of an acrylic wash that if I accidentally over-do, I (hopefully) can wash it off.

Thoughts, and anything we can learn from reviewing your gallery?
Thanks
firemann816

Greetings and Shalom:

Enamels are solvent-based (as with lacquers), hence you get that strong stench (all the more reason why you shouls wear a repsirator or make sure youe workplace is adequately ventilated).

Acrylics are basically water-based. They're easier to clean and there's an abundant supply of water at your disposal.

IMHO, Acrylics are the way to go, especially if you use an airbrush. I would strongly suggest Gunze Aqueous since they have a wider range of colors than Tamiya though I do admit the latter is also a good brand but it is weak when it comes to brush painting and the range of colors.

Ron