Where to get laquer for airbrushing

[atomicholiday]

I know this has probably been discussed before, but for those of you who are airbrushing those killer laquer finishes, where do you get the paint? I know MCW sells it, but that's more than I want to spend on 1oz of paint. Same with automotive laquer. All the local shops want to sell it by the quart. I keep hearing about Model Master laquer, but I'm not seeing much of a selection on line. Are those the only options?

I'd really like to give laquer a shot sometime, so let me know what you're using and where you're getting it.

Thanks!

[StevenGuthmiller]

A lot of guys are using Duplicolor touch up paint in a spray can available at any auto parts store. As for air brush lacquers, most guys are using MCW or House of Color paints. Testors Model Master Lacquers are only available in spray cans. Steve

[LDO]

You can also decant spray paint into an airbrush jar. Better control and you can mix a custom color, if you want. There's a video on hyperscale.com about how to do it. Short summary: put Saran Wrap over your airbrush jar. Poke one hole for a flexible straw and another to act as a vent. Attach a cut-down flexible straw to the paint can using poster adhesive. Decant away...carefully, and outside. Let the paint sit for a while, because it will have propellant gas dissolved in it. You need to let it gas out. No need to thin.

Some people use nail polish, thinned with lacquer thinner.

[Ace-Garageguy]

A great many nail polish colors are lacquer too. There's a huge color selection, different from store to store. I've been picking up bottles of it for $.99 at the thrift store to experiment with.

And if you're a little insecure in your masculinity, you can get your girlfriend or wife to buy it for you.

[Art Anderson]

If I might add to what others have said, I'd not discount the idea of MCW automotive finishes. Bear in mind, Dave Dodge pretty much pioneered the idea of making available factory-match colors, mostly aimed at model cars for which no rattle cans exist. Another possibility is Scale Finishes. While Jameston has yet to develop a line as extensive as MCW, his paints are above reproach in my opinion, even though he works with automotive acrylic enamel rather than lacquer.

You can get just as nice a finish with acrylic enamel as you can with lacquer, and although this stuff takes longer to dry and cure out, it polishes out extremely well, and being enamel, it has less tendency to orange peel due to the slower drying rate allowing greater flow-out.

Again, both lines of aftermarket paint colors do seem expensive--but they are great paints, both--and for cars out of the 50's through the 70's/80's, the factory color choices are far greater than anything that might be available over-the-counter.

Art

[StevenGuthmiller]

Scale Finishes is another one making paints for the hobby. I really have no idea what type of paint Scale Finishes or House of Color are. I've never used them. I just assumed they were lacquers. I personally use MCW paints almost exclusively. I just like the availability of factory colors & the scale of the metallic in the paint. Where else are you going to find 1958 Chevrolet Cay Coral paint. Costs a little more, but I think it's definitely worth it. Steve

[StevenGuthmiller]

If I might add to what others have said, I'd not discount the idea of MCW automotive finishes. Bear in mind, Dave Dodge pretty much pioneered the idea of making available factory-match colors, mostly aimed at model cars for which no rattle cans exist. Another possibility is Scale Finishes. While Jameston has yet to develop a line as extensive as MCW, his paints are above reproach in my opinion, even though he works with automotive acrylic enamel rather than lacquer.

You can get just as nice a finish with acrylic enamel as you can with lacquer, and although this stuff takes longer to dry and cure out, it polishes out extremely well, and being enamel, it has less tendency to orange peel due to the slower drying rate allowing greater flow-out.

Again, both lines of aftermarket paint colors do seem expensive--but they are great paints, both--and for cars out of the 50's through the 70's/80's, the factory color choices are far greater than anything that might be available over-the-counter.

Art

Sorry Art! You beat me to the punch! steve

[BubbaBrown]

I don't think you can buy a Pint of red paint for an auto for less than $80.00. Thats a pint mind you. This stuff ain't cheap no more.

[atomicholiday]

Thanks guys. Got a few factory stock projects with colors I'll probably have to step up to the plate and spend some money. Probably try out MCW. Also thinging about giving the nail polish a shot. Bet they have some killer colors for hot rods.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Also thinging about giving the nail polish a shot. Bet they have some killer colors for hot rods.

Oh yeah...some colors that will have you saying "man, I've got to build something just to paint it THAT color !!". Many of the pearls have very small, more scale-correct flakes than Testors metallics and some Duplicolor products, too.

[Mike_G]

I've used the 2/3 oz. bottles of Pactra R/C car lacquer over PlastiKote automotive primer without any issues, although they dry flat so you do need to clearcoat them.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've used the 2/3 oz. bottles of Pactra R/C car lacquer over PlastiKote automotive primer without any issues, although they dry flat so you do need to clearcoat them.

Beautiful models. Good info.

[gtx6970]

I've used Duplicolor rattle cans on about every kit I've built in the past 3 or 4 years .

More paint for about the same price and almost endless color choices .

All sprayed right out of the can,,,

The few times I do need laquer I buy the cheap qt cans from tractor supply

Edited November 24, 2014 by gtx6970

[atomicholiday]

Mike & Bill, those are some outstanding looking paint jobs.