Pigment Size

Having used Floquil paints I'm very interested in your study. One question I have is that way back when it was stated that Floquil ground their pigments much finer in order not to cover up fine details such as cast on rivets on rolling stock. So the question I have is, do the acrylic paints have the same size pigment as the old Floquil had?

Bernd 

"do the acrylic paints have

  I don't know the technical answer but if I dilute acrylic paint to a wash I can see no pigment particles so I don't see how it could hide details....DaveB 

More Products Available

Joe F - Great timing to revisit this subject! For the past few years, I have been using craft acrylics, diluted with distilled water, for my airbrush applications. This past month, I decided it was time to broaden my horizons and purchase some Vallejo Model Air and Ammo of Mig acrylic paints. I  must say, I am very impressed with not only the product and the application, but also the finish of these paints.

I read this article with great interest and can appreciate the time and effort you took to arrive at these comparisons and results. I really appreciate the color conversion chart, it will save me a lot of time. Speaking of color conversions/comparisons, can you do a conversion of paint colors to Ammo of Mig?

During my "tests" I found that Liquitex Airbrush Medium works well to thin acrylic paints. I believe it works better for diluting craft acrylic paints since I have not seen any "particles" in my diluted solutions. I also found Liquitex Flow Aid helps too.

Thanks, Terry

Changes for January 2019 and Beyond...

Sorry Joe, but I think you "could do better".

The December MRH had 5 articles, one of 24 pages  (23+%) that rightly got a lot of people upset as it was part 3 of a highly specialized subject.  The January MRH has - wait for it - 5 articles, one of 21 pages (21+%) again on a very specialized subject.

So, where are the more and shorter articles?  Including some how-to content in the editorial pages is nice to have, but should really be stand-alone content (at least that would increase your article count?).  

I've been reading since I found MRH in August 2015 and have been posting a link to the web downloader on the N Gauge Forum site (ngaugeforum.uk.co) each month to help increase your exposure there (and hopefully ad-clicks), but I wonder if I'll be wasting my time doing that in the future?

Jon

@PennCentral99

Terry,

 thanks for the info on the Liquitex products. I am running through my stash of Floquil and acrylics look to be in my future. My past experiments with water based paints have not been pleasant so these tips are much appreciated. I do use a lot of Vallejo paints for brush application so I'll start by experimenting with them in my airbrushes.

  Joe's research will be on my reading list when the time comes (soon).

Createx?

Has anyone tried using Createx High Performance Thinner for reducing? I’m curious about its pros and cons for use with both the inexpensive craft acrylics and the model acrylics such as Vallejo and Model Master. I’m also curious if it would be a good choice for a wash for weathering? 

Tom

Model Paint Alternative

Mission Models has a great acrylic paint line. I haven’t seen it covered in the model RR press yet, but it’s popular with the military modelers. I’ve been lobbying them for model RR colors. 

@ Rick Sutton

Rick,

Glad it helps. I got my bottle of Liquitex at Hobby Lobby; and with the 40% off coupon, it made diving into the experiments a little easier. Speaking of cheap, I went to the $1 store and picked up a 48-count pack of plastic spoons to use as the test subjects. My main points for the experiments were: flow through airbrush; color against a white background, a gray primer background, a black primer background and how the acrylic adhered. I am very pleased with the colors and the adhesion seems durable, as I have dropped several spoons onto the concrete floor of the garage and didn't see chipping or cracking of the paint.

Once thinned, the craft acrylics flow just as well as the Vallejo Model Air and the Ammo of Mig. I was really impressed with the ease of Vallejo and Ammo - a couple of drops from the eye dropper bottle into the airbrush and shoot.

Oh, I've been down the experiment road of diluting acrylics with distilled water, isopropyl-rubbing alcohol, windex and windshield wiper fluid. I  must say, the airbrush medium seems to be working the best.

With your modeling and weathering skills, I don't think you'll have any problems making the switch to acrylics. I think you'll find Joe's article informative.

Terry

@ towazy

Tom,

No experience with Createx, but seen plenty of videos on youtube. As far as Vallejo, according to their website FAQ's, their acrylics can be mixed with all brands of water based acrylics.

Terry

Acrylic Paint Guide

JoeF

Is this the same Paint Guide that you released in 2015 and I downloaded in 2016?  Or is this an updated version?

MRH: Updated in early 2018 with corrections and 18 new color formulas

Floquil replacement

As my Floquil stash dwindles, I have found that I really like using Tru Color Paints. They thin with acetone, and dry to a smooth enough finish that a gloss coat isn't always needed.

@ MtRR75

On Page 4 of the download "Republished with updates and more color formulas, February 2018"

Terry

I've Seen References to Using Mission Models Acrylics

Has anyone done comparison or paint color testing/mixing of their products? I have their clear flat, thinner, and poly mixer on order as I'm looking for a non-lacquer DullCote alternative. After reading a review on MMP at https://modelpaintsol.com/guides/mission-models-acrylic-paints, I've wondered with their over 200 different colors, what would work best in the model railroading world. I found their color chart at https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1566/5231/files/MMP_Color_Chart_October_2018.jpg?15815708809728629227.

btw - In reference to an earlier post about whether their paint can be used with a brush, the article referenced above gives a best mix suggestion.

This kill all you can think about colors including myself

As a certificate, I highly recommend you to see the Jason Jensen video's on Youtube.

Here is a link of one of his wonderful video's which will affirm more than any comments about colors.

What kill any comments about searching a new line of colors is the fact Jason use for 98% of his paint job cheap CRAFT colors, yes cheap Craft colors, no more no less !

It's bluffing the results he obtain, just with the use of craft paint colors strong from the bottle.

All comments which search any answer about the demise of Floquil have really no sense when I see what's is possible with simple craft acrilycs colors.

Myself I use Golden Artist acrilycs colors with excellent results since many years, but I will quickly switch to craft paint just because a one OZ Golden bottle is around 5 to 7 bucks each, to not say more for some little jars of colors. (going around 40 euros).

And to complete the use of colors this is also a sort of certificate;

Like me, Jason use, for very special purpose like painting cars or locomotives, VALLEJO and MIG acrilycs line of colors; these two lines offer more than 150 colors to choice from, including air brush colors, acrilycs paints effects, pigments, wash, special effects colors, plastic glue. They are recognized as first quality line of colors by the military model community which use strongly these lines; viewing the quality of models this community achieve this is a real certificate about these colors lines.

Enjoy cheap paint use !