paint, what i have learned

[robdot]

Since the question of what paint do i use appears here regularly, perhaps this might help someone in the future. over the last year i have assembled about 12 kits,just for fun out of the box. the bathtub buggy. elviras thunderbird, paddy wagon, tijuana taxi, etc. i have never tried air brushing, so i cant comment on that.

So, first, testors enamels rattle cans. these suck. they go on very wet and thick, look rough, and take forever to dry.still sticky after days. they seem to be far more prone to run. i will never use these again.

Testors laquers one coats. we have a winner !. for me this was the best way to go. i put future over the whole kit when im done and viola. they go on nice, dry in a couple hours.( but it will run if your not careful ).

Duplicolor color match. i got some of these from the local auto store. used the white sandable duplicolor primer under it. used it on elviras thunderbird and mummy machine. i had no problems with this. it went on well. drys instantly. has more of satin finish to it than a gloss. i thought i could save some money with these larger cans, but i dont think that would be so after trying it. it comes out completely different than testors cans. it sprays out in a fan,like the end of a broom. while testors comes out more in a cone shape. the cone shape is much better for models imho. also,the duplicolr was in a much finer mist.requiring the use of more paint. so, my conclusion here is to simply use the testors one coats and put future over it. also, take your time. multiple light coats. With the testers you must give short quick bursts, starting away from the model. The testors sprays a little heavier than the duplicolor.

For detailing with the brush, i tried the testors enamels and acrylics. for me the acrylics were worthless. they do not cover in one coat and the "gloss" colors do not compare with the enamel at all. if your trying to do some detailing , you dont want to have to come back and hit it again. i have some dinosaur models i put together with the grandkids and i thought we could use the acrylics because they clean up in water, but who wants to come back and paint it twice? the acrylics were worthless and i threw them away.

what works best for me is testors one coat laquers and for detailing with the brush,testors enamels. if your looking to just do a few kits for fun, or to get in the hobby, this is what worked for me.

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

Good information for those that are new to the hobby. From one that was in your shoes 10 years ago, here are some additional tips. Regarding the Testors lacquers, try clearing them with the Testors One Coat clear. Duplicolor auto sprays almost always dry flat and require clear coat for gloss. Duplicolor auto clears are nice too. If you haven't tried them, you really need to get some of the Tamiya sprays. They are the best rattle can paints for our use bar none. The labeling issue appears to be resolved and they are trickling back into the marketplace.

[Dr. Cranky]

Useful information indeed. Thanks for sharing it.

[robdot]

there is no place local for me to buy the tamiya stuff. i dont buy the clears because im trying to keep my cost per model down. the future will last me a lifetime i think )

[papi62596]

Thanks for the information. I've used mostly Dupli-Color paints for the last few years and like the fact that they dry very fast. I also use their clear without any problems. I haven't used any Tamiya paints, but have only heard good things about them. We used to have an automotive paint shop here in town that would mix up any color you wanted and put it in a can, but it went out of business a few years ago and now I'm stuck with what's on the shelf unless I airbrush a certain color on my model. The main thing is to find what works for you and your budget.