Question on Final Top Coat

[Aussie Dave]

The Tamiya paints are good, but the choice of colours isn't as large as Model Masters or Humbrols.

Cheers,
Dave

[Whiterook]

What an impressive selection, Dave...sweet! I hear you on the enamels. I remember them being much better too brush, better wear, and for autos, the shine can't be beat.

Interesting point on the airbrush wear with the Acrylics...I will certainly consider that...Thanks!

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by Aussie Dave

The Tamiya paints are good, but the choice of colours isn't as large as Model Masters or Humbrols.

Cheers,
Dave

Excellent point Dave. I've looked at ModelMaster jars and their colour range looks impressive. Tamiya paints have weird colours...especially some of the browns. Nothing sticks out more for me than a German vehicle painted entirely with unaltered Tamiya colours.

[McCoy]

Well Humbrol have a great range with good colours even though they've discontinued their excellent Master Modellers Enamels. On German armour I prefer Humbrol #160 over Tamiya XF-64 that looks completely wrong to my eyes. n' then there's this little thing with the colours bein' brushable n' there's Humbrol once again King of the hill. But I've to say that I've not tested Tamiyas enamel variant as it's not available here what I've seen thus far. ModelMaster have a great range that seems to be really specialized but I'm not friend with it just yet.

Then we have the White Ensign Enamel colours that is very specialized n' in a great range. I've not had the opportunity to test 'em for myself but from what I've hear 'bout 'em they should be even better than Humbrol.

White Ensign Models home page for ship kits and upgrades

[Geek44]

I agree McCoy. XF-64 is a little bit off.

[Whiterook]

I agree wholeheartedly with the colors straight out of the Tamiya bottles being terrible. The only color I've used with their Acrylics straight out of the bottle is their Dark Yellow...actually a very nice (and accurate shade from what I can tell) shade, and probably the only color other than balck and white that I would use straight.

[Geek44]

The jury's still out on that particular shade. I actually don't like the dark yellow either...not sure why. It might actually come down to taste for me. I know that sticklers for accuracy have less space to move in as it were but I'm all for artistic licence up to a point. I think Tamiya's 'Dark Yellow' is a tad stodgy in colour but I like their 'Desert Sand'. There's plenty of variation to be found in people's representation and indeed, interpretation of the much discussed 'Dunkelgelb'.
Tamiya's Red Brown colour is almost more appropriate for later Luftwaffe subjects as 'Braunviolet'. I forget the RLM number now...close enough is fine.

[Aussie Dave]

I agree that the colours Tamiya have are "not quite right" in many cases, but one colour that comes to mind, is pretty good.

Tamiya XF-15 (Matt Flesh) looks better than most flesh colours I have seen.

I have seen many so called "flesh" colours that when painted on figures makes the figures skin tone look very ORANGE??? - YUKK!!!


Cheers,
Dave

[lufttiger]

I can't get Humbrol here, so i use Tamiya, but i will usually mix their colors to get what i need, some are good as is like German Grey for certain things.

[Geek44]

Yeah Dave, their flesh is good and it raises a pretty good point. Whos flesh do the other guys match their colours to? Humbrol have two 'flesh' shades. One is almost pink and the other is buff.
The German Grey is really good too Luft...I had some 'Dark Grey' until I realised there was a 'German' one. I also don't mind Tamiya's darker greens. I used one straight from the jar on my S.E.5a and it was really good.