Question on Final Top Coat

[Whiterook]

Craft shops definitely for Plaid. May be able to find some online, as well

[lufttiger]

I will try and post my results tomarrow, which turned out great!

[Aussie Dave]

Originally Posted by Geek44

Are either of these REALLY flat Dave? Which is your preference?

They both come out matt/flat Geek.
As for which one I prefer, I can't fault either, so I have no preference for one over the other.

Cheers,
Dave

[lufttiger]

Opps i posted it on the other thread, lufttiger site updated, anyway what it
says is that "YES" you can paint your model in Tamiya acrylics, and then put
a Testors Lacquer clear flat coat on it, with no problem.

PS. WR is right, its very toxic, big time, best to use outside.

[Geek44]

Had a guy at the club recommend Gunze Sangyo acrylics. He had a really nice P-51 there. Anybody have any input? Like me...he's not a great fan of the Tamiya...seems very coarse.

[Whiterook]

I don't feel Tamiya is coarse in anyway...but it is certainly watery in consistancy. The watery nature is what, in my view, make it a less than ideal choice for brushing, unless you have either: some fairly decent brush aptitude; or are very patient with multiple coats over several days in order to build up opacity. My suspicion is that Tamiya will make a better airbrush paint than brush fodder.

I have read very good comments about Gunze Sangyo, but my hobby shop didn't have any.

Now as for a can of worms...for my personal preference, you just can't beat acrylics over enamels. I base this solely on toxicity and no need for harsh thinners/cleaners. That's just my gig, though.

[Aussie Dave]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

Now as for a can of worms...for my personal preference, you just can't beat acrylics over enamels. I base this solely on toxicity and no need for harsh thinners/cleaners. That's just my gig, though.

I on the other hand I actually prefer working with Enamels.

Enamel paint is a tougher and harder wearing paint by far when compared against Acrylics and won't rub off like acrylic paint can.
I find it works better in airbrushes and is easier to paint on with a brush.
Also when it is thinned down it retains its colour better and is more even.

I will admit it is slightly toxic but it is no where near as toxic as Lacquers are.
(I use both Enamels and Lacquers and I am okay health wise.)

But I don't suggest sniffing the fumes up too much or too often.

Cheers,
Dave

[Geek44]

I totally agree with everything you said Whiterook, but when airbrushing, Tamiya acrylics have quite a grainy surface and I've experimented with thinning and pressure. It's also much harder on my airbrush. I've burnt through two nozzles using Tamiya after nearly 12 years of exclusive Humbrol enamel use.
I used to be a Humbrol man until I read a few books about modelling. Now I use acrylics, enamels and artist oils...all for different reasons and for different purposes. The way I weather dictates what paint I use. Usually I paint the base colour with enamel. Clear gloss acrylic over that. Decals. Clear gloss again, then filters. Filters are very diluted enamel paint...usually with turpentine. This also helps dull down the gloss. Oil paint pin washes and panel fading...again with turpentine. Dries nice and flat. Then depending on what I'm building. An aircraft gets a matt clear coat then I airbrush smoke stains and add pastels here and there. For a vehicle I don't know yet...
So as you can see, all three paint types get a run with me.

[Aussie Dave]

Have you tried the Testor 'Model Master' range of enamels Geek?

The vast majority of my paint collection is Humbrol Enamel with Tamiya Enamel coming second as you can see, but eventually I hope to replace them with Model Master paints.

Model Master paints have a massive range of authentic colours and are excellent quality paints, even better quality than that of Humbrol or Tamiya.

Cheers,
Dave

[Geek44]

No I haven't tried them but I've heard everything you wrote too. They also seem pretty easy to get over in Oz as well. Hang it...I guess I've been meaning to try them for a while, I should just pull my finger out. What are those Tamiya enamels like?