Tamiya, of course.
I love their paint, but boy can it get expensive. I hate the way manufacturers label a paint as "model paint" and charge your socks off.
Is there any way to get larger quantities?
John
AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Matthew Toms
Awesome paint, only $384.00 per gallon...
Dubanka
Joined: June 29, 2002
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 06:12 AM UTC
TreadHead
Joined: January 12, 2002
KitMaker: 5,000 posts
Armorama: 2,868 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 06:25 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Tamiya, of course.
I love their paint, but boy can it get expensive. I hate the way manufacturers label a paint as "model paint" and charge your socks off.
Is there any way to get larger quantities?
John
Excellent question John. Your efforts at doing the math regarding the sheer cost of the paint can certainly 'make one think'.
So, to continue that train of thought (making one think), I will share a recent experience with you. I went to my local artist's supply store (Meininger's in Denver) and perused the aisle's of what they had to offer. What I found was this; unbelievable suppliers of acrylic and oil paint's provided in a tube just waiting to be mixed into whatever colour your mind could create!
Now, applying your efforts at 'doing the math', purchasing and using paints in this fashion not only gives you excellent quality paint, but also at a begger's price to boot!
Tread.
Just something to 'make one think'.
shiryon
Joined: April 26, 2002
KitMaker: 876 posts
Armorama: 606 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 06:35 AM UTC
Not to laugh, one of the fellas at my club once said he knew a guy who would get 'Home Depot to color match regurly used colors. At about 20 bucks a can its a steal. I guess if it works a club sould get together and buy enough OD totolast everyone a loooooooong time. I wonder how well house paint would do on plastic.
Josh Weingarten
aKa shiryon #:-) #:-)
Josh Weingarten
aKa shiryon #:-) #:-)
Dubanka
Joined: June 29, 2002
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 06:36 AM UTC
I don't know whetther to be offended by that or not.
I will Definitely head down to the local "craft-o-rama" and take a look, I havent been "back" to modeling in a while, and I am not familiar with what works or not.
Are these artists acrylics suitable for AB'ing? Let me know.
John
I will Definitely head down to the local "craft-o-rama" and take a look, I havent been "back" to modeling in a while, and I am not familiar with what works or not.
Are these artists acrylics suitable for AB'ing? Let me know.
John
Tin_Can
Joined: January 26, 2002
KitMaker: 1,560 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 09:15 AM UTC
The craft paint acrylics you see can be airbrushed. Almost all of them are water-based so just thin them out with water. I picked up some brown oxide a few weeks ago and experimented with the thinning. It took a while to get it right and only water would work well as a thinning agent. You will find that most of the colors are 'craft' colors so you'll have to mix most anything you need.
Dubanka
Joined: June 29, 2002
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 10:41 AM UTC
I believe that he is talking about artists acrylics.
I have many craft acrylics, and they work okay with an AB, but seem to spatter a little too much for me. (maybe it's me)
I'm gonna go out and try some, and let y'all know.
BTW....1/3 oz tamiya paint at 2.00 per bottle
128 (oz in a gal) X 3 = 384 bottles per gallon
I was wrong in my first equation....IT ACTUALLY COSTS 768.00 PER GALLON
Gotta love it.
John
I have many craft acrylics, and they work okay with an AB, but seem to spatter a little too much for me. (maybe it's me)
I'm gonna go out and try some, and let y'all know.
BTW....1/3 oz tamiya paint at 2.00 per bottle
128 (oz in a gal) X 3 = 384 bottles per gallon
I was wrong in my first equation....IT ACTUALLY COSTS 768.00 PER GALLON
Gotta love it.
John
sgtreef
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 6,043 posts
Armorama: 4,347 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 11:15 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I believe that he is talking about artists acrylics.
I have many craft acrylics, and they work okay with an AB, but seem to spatter a little too much for me. (maybe it's me)
I'm gonna go out and try some, and let y'all know.
BTW....1/3 oz tamiya paint at 2.00 per bottle
128 (oz in a gal) X 3 = 384 bottles per gallon
I was wrong in my first equation....IT ACTUALLY COSTS 768.00 PER GALLON
Gotta love it.
John
Just imagine they must have spent a whole $50 .00 getting it mixed .
TreadHead
Joined: January 12, 2002
KitMaker: 5,000 posts
Armorama: 2,868 posts
Posted: Monday, September 02, 2002 - 04:40 AM UTC
Having dealt directly with manufacturer's in the automotive aftermarket business in the past, I can tell you that the 'real' number is a little closer to 1/10th of that cost sgtreef!
And, having recently examined the field of 'pigment powders' and their cost, I don't think I'm too far off.
Tread.
BTW, I am talking about artist's colour's, not necessarily 'craft' colours. Although craft colours can work as well. If you want to try them you can go to a place like Hobby Lobby or the like and pick up 'Apple Barrel' acrylics I think they're called. They have a fairly decent assortment of colours and can be successfully used just like any other paint that is available.
The artist colours, available in a tube, are of a better quality, better pigment-to-carrier ratio, and 'lay-down' a wee bit better.
And, having recently examined the field of 'pigment powders' and their cost, I don't think I'm too far off.
Tread.
BTW, I am talking about artist's colour's, not necessarily 'craft' colours. Although craft colours can work as well. If you want to try them you can go to a place like Hobby Lobby or the like and pick up 'Apple Barrel' acrylics I think they're called. They have a fairly decent assortment of colours and can be successfully used just like any other paint that is available.
The artist colours, available in a tube, are of a better quality, better pigment-to-carrier ratio, and 'lay-down' a wee bit better.
MLD
Joined: July 21, 2002
KitMaker: 3,569 posts
Armorama: 2,070 posts
Posted: Monday, September 02, 2002 - 05:17 AM UTC
For what it's worth, next time you're in the grocery store check out the unit price of Tabasco Sauce, at $1.39 per bottle ( sorry, I buy in bulk, so I dunno the new price for the little bottles) and each little bottle being about an ounce, the stuff is REALLY expensive per gallon.
FWIW, ordering direct from Tabasco, a gallon , shipped, is less than $40
I'm on #3 at this point.
Mike
FWIW, ordering direct from Tabasco, a gallon , shipped, is less than $40
I'm on #3 at this point.
Mike
Sancho0409
Joined: July 25, 2002
KitMaker: 145 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Monday, September 02, 2002 - 10:19 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Not to laugh, one of the fellas at my club once said he knew a guy who would get 'Home Depot to color match regurly used colors. At about 20 bucks a can its a steal. I guess if it works a club sould get together and buy enough OD totolast everyone a loooooooong time. I wonder how well house paint would do on plastic.
I was searching through the garage before my last model makin' started and saw a gallon can that said "primer" on it, I figured, primer is primer, so I airbrushed it on. When I was done, I looked at the can as it said "drywall" in teny tiny letter right about primer. I couldn't tell the difference, paint is paint, they just right "for plastic" or "for models" or whatever just so they can rape ya on the price.
Jeepney
Joined: July 22, 2002
KitMaker: 1,538 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Monday, September 02, 2002 - 11:18 AM UTC
Budget is a big concern for me so i started browsing the local hardware stores for paints. I found a local manufacturer (Luxor) of paint spray cans. They sell for around USD2.00 per 500 ml can. Mixing is not an option obviously but they are good for plain colors like black or white. They even have a clear gloss lacquer for us Future-deprived modellers! The paints work remarkably well. Compared to Tamiya, where 100ml cans sell for USD5.00, these local paint cans are a steal! Paint is paint as Sancho0409 pointed out. Just don't know the long term effects of this paint on plastic though 
2-2dragoon
Joined: March 08, 2002
KitMaker: 608 posts
Armorama: 268 posts
Posted: Monday, November 11, 2002 - 06:42 PM UTC
I have my own experiences.. I use the Apple Barrel and another brand of "craft" acrylic paint. Walmart sells Apple Barrel for 48 cents each, for 2 ounces. I love the coverage and the selection of colors is great. YOu can mix them, too. I am using them on figures and am loving them.
As fo spray paint, I found Krylon acrylic flat clear at the store this week. I also use their red primer for ship/boat bottoms.
You will not findme spending money on tamiya or other expensive paints again. :-)
As fo spray paint, I found Krylon acrylic flat clear at the store this week. I also use their red primer for ship/boat bottoms.
You will not findme spending money on tamiya or other expensive paints again. :-)
Selrach
Joined: January 04, 2003
KitMaker: 466 posts
Armorama: 378 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 04, 2003 - 05:29 PM UTC
Hello, I'm new here 
I use normal artist's / craft acryllics... Get them at wal mart for about .50 cents a bottle(2 fld oz. ). Pay a little more for the metalics (better quality) , around .80 a bottle. Use water to thin.
Works for me. (I'm cheap). Try the colors out and allow to dry to get the true color before applying to your model. Mix and match to your hearts content.. My theory is if it looks close enough it's good.. Allow to dry well then a very thinned acryllic to ink or wash with. Then Drybrush with.. acryllic. All from the same place.
That's how I do it.
I use normal artist's / craft acryllics... Get them at wal mart for about .50 cents a bottle(2 fld oz. ). Pay a little more for the metalics (better quality) , around .80 a bottle. Use water to thin.
Works for me. (I'm cheap). Try the colors out and allow to dry to get the true color before applying to your model. Mix and match to your hearts content.. My theory is if it looks close enough it's good.. Allow to dry well then a very thinned acryllic to ink or wash with. Then Drybrush with.. acryllic. All from the same place.
That's how I do it.
clovis899
#155
Joined: May 05, 2002
KitMaker: 774 posts
Armorama: 605 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 04, 2003 - 06:25 PM UTC
I don't mean to stir up a hornet's nest here and before I go to far let me say that I also use "Apple barrel" along with other 'craft' paint (brush only, it stays to gloppy for the AB...at least when I try it) and I use flat black out of a Krylon can for priming vehicles. However, some of us spend upwards of $30.00 or more on a good kit but then don't want o pay the cost for the finishing materials. When I use Tamiya paint I can usually paint a minimum of 4-5 vehicles with a single bottle, and paint for things like track or machine guns can last me upwards of a year or two, so I figure that the cost is fairly reasonable. You might want to keep some of this in mind before you spend hours of time trying to save a buck or two on paint that is not really formulated for AB or plastic 
Again, not saying that it can't work, but is it going to be worth it in the long run?
Flame away!!
Coop
Again, not saying that it can't work, but is it going to be worth it in the long run? Flame away!!
Coop
2-2dragoon
Joined: March 08, 2002
KitMaker: 608 posts
Armorama: 268 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 04, 2003 - 07:55 PM UTC
No flame... just experience. I have a fairly large collection of these paints now and love them. As for airbrushing, I have the Micro-mark paint stirrer and I just thin it with distilled water and beat the heck out of it. I have had no clogging problems with it. I have NO local sources for model acrylics and do not want to hunt for stuff on the Internet when I want it.
Recently I formulated my own modern German Dark Green from these paints. It turned out great. I prime everything, anyway and as far as I know all acrylics require a little help to bite plastic. That is the nature of the beast, since they lack the solvents to dig into the plastic.
So... no flames, just a reasoned approach to the problem. I still use enamels and what modeling acrylics I have, but use the craft paints for much of my painting.
Recently I formulated my own modern German Dark Green from these paints. It turned out great. I prime everything, anyway and as far as I know all acrylics require a little help to bite plastic. That is the nature of the beast, since they lack the solvents to dig into the plastic.
So... no flames, just a reasoned approach to the problem. I still use enamels and what modeling acrylics I have, but use the craft paints for much of my painting.
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