I have noticed recently that both modelmaster and tamiya paints have been very thin lately. I asked my local supply dealer and he said that both companies changed their formulas due to more people airbrushing. I don't remember reading that anywhere, but if its true, at least they could have mentioned it on the bottles. I usually thin my paint a bit prior to airbrushing, so you can imagine my surprise as i watch the paint go on like a heavy wash. I have altered my airbrush painting habits to compensate. Now when i brush paint, I run into more problems with the tamiya paints not adhering to the model. This is even after a primer coat. I guess i could survive just using the modelmaster paints for brush painting, but for those tri-color desert bdu's, I found that the tamiya buff/ j.a. grey/ 80% red brown + 20% white were the best matches.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Thanks

Even though I have more than a few bottles of Tamiya paint I find I stay away from them for the most part. MM was always my 1st choice until I tried the model Air series by Vallejo. I love them. I also brush with them and find it works just as well. Cant beat them in your airbrush though. Since no one carries them locally I mail order mine. You might want to give them a go. http://www.missionmodels.com/index2.htm Scroll the manufacturer list to the Vallejo paint packs..At least have a look see.

After trying to AB some Tamiya....i don't think i'll ever try again..... It goes on Grainy even when thinned. MM seems to have a finer pigment.

If model master has changed its acrylic paint formula, that would be a GREAT thing.. I was using some last night and even thinned the paint was clogging my airbrush.. Tamiya has/had a good acrylic paint formula for airbrushing, which would surprise me if it has changed..
I just wish Tamiya would expand its color selection to include more RLM colors.

Ilike MM paint in enamel. It works for both the AB and hand brush

I now use humbrol enamels.

to those of you who said that the paint was too thick-too thin why don't you test it on a sheet of plastic first!. An old shopping bag will do. If it runs add more paint. If blotchey add more thinner. This way you don't ruin your model.

Doing it this way you have no excuses for poor painting with air brushes. Just remember consistancy of paint varies from color to color so each will need a different ratio of thinners.

Quite interesting thread with many different views about paints. I really don't like to paint but unfortunately is a task that has to be done if you want to attend to contests so I try to do it at my best even if any paintjob gives me a tummyache!!! I use an AB and mainly Tamiya acryls and honestly I don't see the problems some of you are reporting, in particular the dusty/grainy aspect of the paint once applied. I thin them at least at 50% with 90% isopropyl alchool and apply several light coats of it. Further coats are diluted at least at 70-80%. I use enamels (MM & Humbrol too) and I like them more than acryls. Anyway working in a not well ventilated room I try to limit the enamel to the minimum and only when I cannot mix the big T's to get the proper colour...
Ciao
(:-) (:-)

Im a new guy in the modelism scene, and until now I've only used Tamiya and Lifecolor. Indeed the Tamiya paints are too thin and it's dificult to paint with them, at least for me... with Lifecolor, well, besides the fact that sometimes they are a little thick, it's a wonder to work with them...

See yaaa

There is one other factor that may influence the outcome.
That being the climatic environment you are in at the time of AB'ing.
When I'm back home in blighty, I find I need far less thinners than when I'm here in Saudi.
The climate is so bone dry here, paint dries mega quick, so it needs a lot of thinners to keep it flowing.
Worth a thought?
Peter

As an old guy , i have been painting for many years with Molak and Humbrol enamels with very good results. Lately that i digged in acrylics as many guys in here tempted me to do , i tested MM, Tamiya, Gunze acrylics. I believe that MM have nicer pigment resolution 6than the others and with some thinning they give good results, and dry in good time. But Tamiya's colous seem a lil "fat grained " for me . Gunze is neutral no problems nothing special. But still seeking the best in acrylics, though i cannot have acces to Vajeho paints here in Greece .

I think that most companies have changed the paint formulas as most people airbrush these days however no matter which paint I use I still cant get a totally smooth surface

Now I get it! So that's why painting my M2A2 ODS was a crap! It has been thinned already! Thanks for the info!