Marcel111 Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) I currently airbrush outside using a good quality mask, however, the outside painting endeavour is not really working out for me in winter as plastic and metal expand/contract differently as the model is taken from inside to outside, so photoetch parts tend to jump off the model. Long story short, I will be retreating back to airbrushing inside--my wife is talking some sense into me and saying I need to move to Acrylics. I have airbrushed Tamiya acrylics before with fairly good results but am wondering what other guys out there use. I am considering Vallejo, since they can apparently be dropped straight into the airbrush (thus saving time) and can also be thinned using simple distilled water (not alcohol)... since I will be going healthy, why not go all the way. Another consideration is the Gunze range, which seems to have the benefit of a broad range matched to the typical modern FS aircraft requirements. I've done quite a bit of research on this, including on this forum, but would appreciate any additional comments on this topic. Thx, Marcel Edited March 3, 2013 by Marcel111 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
huntermountain Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Now you've opened a can of worms.... I think it's safe to say, you'll find avid fans as well as fierce opponents of each line of acrylics. I'd say go for what is readily available in your neck of the woods, and has a range that suits your subjects. Personally I use Vallejo Model Air. Can be used straight from the bottle, but works best with at least a bit of acrylic retardant added, and in most cases a little thinning is also in order. Thinning with (distilled) water is indeed possible, but using a dedicated acrylics airbrush thinner might be a better idea. I remember some people on here being able to retrace paint finish problems to the use of water as a thinner. Then again, others seem to have been doing it for eons without any problems. The only thing you will probably have to face no matter what acrylics you decide to switch over to, is a bit of a learning curve. But I'm sure it will be worth it, and not only because you will be able to paint inside. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 I use Humbrol,Tamiya,Xtracrylix,Vallejo Model Air and Color as well as Gunze.I find their own brand thinners is the safest way to thin them although Humbrol acrylics thin very well with Xtracrylix thinner.Vallejo and Lifecolor paints are helped along with Windsor&Newton retarder added to the mix. The biggest piece of advice I would give is always use primer as it gives acrlics something to hold on to. Stephen (happy acrylics user) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Av8fan Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) I remember reading that Vallejo is changing their thinner..may be worth looking for the new thinner? Gunze is fantastic. Get a test hulk..kit that didn't make it and practice practice practice. Edit: I forgot to mention that I am using Tamiya with at least 60% thinner to paint. Edited March 3, 2013 by Av8fan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Vallejo new airbrush thinner is excellent. Buy it! I get the best results thinning Gunze acrylics with Mr. Hobby aqueous thinner. Buy it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Gents, thanks for the wise words, all very helpful. Additional comments all welcome. Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toadwbg Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 This question comes up monthly, do go and search some previous posts. Personally I love Tamiya acrylics, they spray like liquid gold for me using either their own thinner or my own thinner mix (91% ISO alcholhol + retarder). I can mix or match 90%+ of the colors I need no problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderchief105 Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 This question comes up monthly, do go and search some previous posts. Personally I love Tamiya acrylics, they spray like liquid gold for me using either their own thinner or my own thinner mix (91% ISO alcholhol + retarder). I can mix or match 90%+ of the colors I need no problem. Totally agree I really like the Tamiya acrylics to. I also have a limited range of the model master acryls and those I thin with the testors universal acrylic thinner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I use 3-4 different brands of acrylic paints: Tamiya, Gunze Aqueous Hobby, LifeColor, and Citadel. Tamiya and Gunze Aqueous can be thinned with either methylated spirit, Tamiya X-20A thinner, or Windex (or combination of these). LifeColor and Citadel thin with distilled water (although I'm starting to mix distilled water and Windex @ 50:50). Out of the 4 that I've been using regularly thus far, Tamiya and Gunze are the best for spraying. LifeColor and Citadel can be tricky - they have the tendency to run (due to water forming larger droplets, I guess). Where Tamiya/Gunze only require, in most cases, 2 layers, LifeColor/Citadel may require 4-5 layers (built up in a VERY THIN coat, otherwise it'll run). All 4 clean very well with either methylated spirit or Windex. As far as colour range goes, if you want pure water-based acrylic, try LifeColor. I think their range of colour is wider than Gunze, if that's even possible! The only thing about LifeColor is their glossy metallic range does not appear to be that good. I've not yet tried their flat metallic yet. I've also got a bottle of Vallejo Air that I have not tried yet.... HTH. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 LifeColor sprays great when thinned at 10-15% with their own thinner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Just test sprayed LifeColor Dark Sea Grey thinned with LifeColor thinner on my scrap vertical fin, and the finish turned out silky smooth after a couple of coats through my Iwata Revolution BR at 18psi: No runs, 7 drops of paint to 3 drops of thinner, so that's more than 15% (it depends on the color). Anyhow, LifeColor thinner works great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Julien (UK) Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I spray lifecolor, xtracrylix and vallehjo all thinned with vallehjo airbrush cleaner. This contains a small ammount of ethylene glycol and it retards the paint. Even though vallehjo model air say it can spray from the bottle I still find it needs a little thinning. I have some gunze to ry as a couple of guys I know says its excellent, though this does need its own thinner. Julien Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Hmmm... seems that I have to switch to LifeColor's own thinner then... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
galileo1 Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Is there any possible way for an admin to pin this thread?? Would love to be able to refer to it easily as opposed to doing a search. It's really good info on it. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
galileo1 Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Just test sprayed LifeColor Dark Sea Grey thinned with LifeColor thinner on my scrap vertical fin, and the finish turned out silky smooth after a couple of coats through my Iwata Revolution BR at 18psi: No runs, 7 drops of paint to 3 drops of thinner, so that's more than 15% (it depends on the color). Anyhow, LifeColor thinner works great. Where do you order your LC paints from, Richard? I need to give them a try again. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat-Lover Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I usually do Tamiya acrylics thinned by Tamiya acrylic thinner (50/50) and it works really well for me and I have never had problems. I have recently made the transition and moved to Mr. Color lacquers but I still use Tamiya acrylics for the most part. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Where do you order your LC paints from, Richard? I get them from Sprue Brothers, but I only get the colors that are not available in Tamiya, Gunze, or MM. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I have some gunze to ry as a couple of guys I know says its excellent, though this does need its own thinner. Julien Gunze Aqueous Hobby Color thins well with Tamiya X-20A, methylated spirit, or Windex. I've been using this paint for some time (almost as long as Tamiya acrylic), but never have to use their own thinner. HTH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Dont do it man ... enamels are the best !! if you have a proper spay booth you wont get much smell inside. i mean for the price of switching over all you colors to a new brand you can buys a SWEET spay booth.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wookieefood Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 I do both, but it really depends on the piece that I am painting. My personal preference is Tamiya and Gunze Acrylics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Yes, LifeColor can also be thinned with Vallejo new airbrush thinner and sprays just fine without any issues. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FAR148 Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 (edited) I went from enamels to acrylics and now back to enamels. I feel that gunze aqueous are the best acrylics on the market. They spray so great, thin really well and never had a problem with them lifting when removing masking. Tamiya's are just as good but they rank second due to no FS colors. Yes, you can mix and match them. But that's just one less pain in the *** to deal with. Life color ranks third. They spray really nice but had problems with the lighter colors lifting off with masking. Thinned out ok. If I went back to spraying acrylics, I'll go gunze aqueous hands down. Their flat coat is awesome. The only reason I switch back to enamels was due to they stop importing them state side. But now that I found this.... http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_kw=gunze+aqueous+hobby+color+acrylic+paint <_< :o just my opinion, Steven L Edited March 6, 2013 by FAR148 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MarcDuhon Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 i def prefer enamels and solvent based acrylics like Gunze Mr Hobby... but I have recently fell in love with lifecolor acrylics.. ot only do they spray and brush beautifully.. they are very durable.... prep is paramount for acrylics though... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Dont do it man ... enamels are the best !! Having just switched to enamels, I completely agree. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Enamels stink! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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