I have been expermenting on a few f-3 shells I bought off ebay - I am using a paasch airbrush and testors paints. The brush works great, the testors paints spray on easy and smooth, however the paint seems a little soft and maybe not good for the long run. Ideally I would like a tough paint that paints as easy as the testors. I also see testors sells something called model masters? is it a little stronger. Also have seen the floquil brand on the internet, but not at the hobby shops.
Give BADGER ACCUflex or MODELflex a try. Rarely needs thinning, shoots strait from the bottle, goes on silky smooth, and is ready for decalling.
I agree with Fifedog. Also, due to cleaning issues, I use only acrylic. Even cleaning an airbrush after using acrylics is more than a 30 second exercise if you want to ensure a throrough cleaning. Maybe it’s lazziness, but I just would not even consider using oil based paints in my airbrush.
I use mostly badger paints, but have had good results with Createx as well. Painting plastics with acrylics does require some considerations that are different from wood or metal painting.
On a related subject, I wrongly assumed one could mix paints from two different manufactures as long as both were acrylic. I mixed a small batch of Badger and Createx in an attemp to arrive at a particular color and shade. Bad move. The result looked like I created some yogurt.
Bill
I paint indoors and prefer the water soluble paints. I’ve had good luck using the Poly Scale line of paints. I’m more into weathering but have painted a few cars and steamers. I use the prescribed thinner for Poly S but I believe Testor’s has one that is the same. Generally. 2 parts paint to 1 part thinner works well. I use both a single and double action Badger brushes and spray at about 25 psi.
I have used the mentioned Badger Modelflex paints as well. Mostly just for weathering. I like the fact that they are already thinned for spraying and just need a little stirring and they are ready to go. They seem a little thinner than the Poly S and seem to work best at about 20 psi. They also allow you to use the stock Badger cap and can be sprayed from it’s own bottle. Both paints clean up easily using some water based degreaser and a rinse of warm water.
I have used Modelflex on N scale freight cars straight out of the jar like fifedog says. It went on nicely and pronounced the detail very well.
Thanks - on either of these paints mentioned above - do you know if they are available in retail stores - or is it online ordering only?
Thanks
A lot of retail stores carry Modelflex. At least the ones near me do. It is very popular amongst the HO and N scale communities. I’m sure you can buy it on line but not sure who carries it.
I try to buy locally but there are no shops that are a short drive. It’s also frustrating to drive there and find out they are out of the color you need or don’t have enough quanity of a paticular color. I ordered some Modelflex paints online and got great service from the Air Brush Depot. One color they were out of arrived the same day with the shipment direct from Badger.
For Poly S. I’ve bought from Micromark but have bought from Intertnet Hobbies as well as they have a larger selection.
If you are willing to use a solvent based paint. You might try Weavers line of Scalecoat paints.
All these are available directly online. I wished I had a well stocked hobby shop nearby. I’ve found it easy to sit at the computer and fill a shopping cart and wait a few days rather than drive a distance and not find what you are looking for.
In regard to air brush paint sources, I have had excellent service from PCGLOBAL.COM. They sell on Ebay also, but the biggest selection will be found on their own site. You will find a variety of paint brands including Badger.
This vendor is a major source of airbrushes, supplies, and paints. I believe the vendor is located in San Diego, Ca.
Bill