How much acrylic paint do I need for an average 1:25 scale model?

[Junkman]

I am about to order empty plastic bottles to put my mixed acrylic paints in. In order to buy the right size, can someone please let me know how much paint is usually required to paint a model?
What is a 'safe' quantity to mix, if the model has separate doors, like the AMT '58 Chevy and requires the valances, wheels, dashboard and various other small bits painted body colour as well?

15ml? 20? 30?

[Chuck Most]

Personally I'd not go larger than 20. The Tamiya acrylic jars are 23ml, and I can typically paint two bodies (and matching related components) with one jar. 15 may work, but I'd like that extra little measure of security the 20ml bottle would have. 

Edited December 20, 2016 by Chuck Most

[Junkman]

Thank you, that helped me a lot.

[Mike999]

I bought the plastic jars shown below from Hobby Lobby (which I know you don't have in Merrie Olde England).  But I'm guessing you're buying something similar. These jars are 1 ounce, or 30 ml (OK, 29.375 ml).  Hobby Lobby also sells a package of assorted sizes, but I think the 1-ounce is their biggest.

The lids fit very tightly, which is good.  But as a warning, these plastic jars are sort of fragile.  I broke a couple just by applying too much pressure when trying to get the lids off.

The plastic jars do seem to work really well.  I have some TAMIYA acrylics mixed with TAMIYA thinner that have been sitting in those plastic jars for quite a while.  They still look OK and haven't dried up or anything.

Sort of off-topic, I guess.  But I've had good luck recently with gloss finishes by mixing TAMIYA acrylic paint with TAMIYA's own lacquer thinner (not the acrylic thinner).  By cranking the air pressure down to 15 psi or so and getting close to the model, the paint flows very well and gives a nice gloss.  It dries much quicker than enamels, though I still let it dry for a couple of days just to be on the safe side.

 

 

[GeeBee]

I buy my jars from Hiroboy, there glass, and come iin 30mls and 60mls, they also have a plastic seal and a screw on lid, I've had paint mixed up and sealed in these jar for over 12 months, and there as good as when i put the paint in them.

[espo]

I was going to suggest a glass container be used. As Michael Smith mentioned the plastic is a little fragile on most containers that are air tight. With a screw type lid you would have a better chance of storing the paint for future use or touch up on the model you are working on.