Hello, Im a Newbie Here, Recently retired and getting back into my childhood hobby of car models.

[stevieb54]

My first question here for the group is wheres the best place to buy automotive color or period correct spray paints? Specifically American classic cars. All the hobby stores near me in San Francisco area have gone by the wayside. TIA, Steve

 

[urumomo]

Welcome Aboard !

Are you asking about rattle cans or bottled paint for airbrush ?

 

[TimM63]

Welcome to the madness. Lots of information here.
I would try this website.

https://touchupdirect.com/touch-up-paint/automotive/

 

[stevieb54]

Rattle cans or spray paint

 

[stevieb54]

Rattle

 

[urumomo]

You can get a lot from the auto supply stores .
Duplicolor makes a lot of it . " touch up " paint .

 

[urumomo]

https://mcwfinishes.com/

 

[Down Time]

Welcome!!!!
Lots of good info here, just ask away or dig around in the older posts.
Post pictures as you go, we do like to see.

 

[Pantherman]

My first question here for the group is wheres the best place to buy automotive color or period correct spray paints? Specifically American classic cars. All the hobby stores near me in San Francisco area have gone by the wayside. TIA, Steve

Hi and welcome to the forum. Loads of help available here. Pantherman

 

[stevieb54]

Thanks for the welcome/help and suggestions. Urumomo you suggested Duplicolor, they have tons of OEM colors but I keep reading where auto paint cant be used on styrene plastic, is there any truth to that? I have some factory touchup paint from Automotive Touch Up, but afraid it may dissolve the body.

 

[urumomo]

No truth to that .
Those are either modified alkyds or acrylics , most likely the former , the amount of solvents like butyl acetate are too little to damage polystyrene ,
It actually contributes to the bond .

Primer first with an alkyd like Rustoleum's 2X series . really great stuff , and it puts more than enough between any hot coat and the plastic .

 

[stevieb54]

Thanks, one paint I have contains MEK and Methyl amyl ketone. Those names bring up memories of bad stuff.

 

[urumomo]

MEK is methyl ethyl ketone .
Also known as Butanone . - just another ketone , but it is one of the most toxic .
It's been replaced by a lot of companies with ethyl acetate .

 

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

https://mcwfinishes.com/

This ^^^^^

If you want accurate colors for automobiles of all years and makes, this site is hard to beat.

Save your money on Duplicolor stuff - expensive stuff going anywhere from $11 - $16 a can.

 

[ohbejuan]

My first question here for the group is wheres the best place to buy automotive color or period correct spray paints? Specifically American classic cars. All the hobby stores near me in San Francisco area have gone by the wayside. TIA, Steve

Welcome!

 

[stevieb54]

Thank you everyone for the welcome. May I ask another painting question, if its allowed to continue this thread? I see there is bottles of enamel paints. I bought an air brush many years ago, but never used it. Is this something hard to get the hang of, especially with using proper thinners or reducers when mixing paint? Is there a good place to look for instructions or guidance on this topic?

 

[urumomo]

It's not difficult to use an airbrush , just takes some practice .
YouTube is full of videos on the subject .

 

[Pantherman]

Thank you everyone for the welcome. May I ask another painting question, if its allowed to continue this thread? I see there is bottles of enamel paints. I bought an air brush many years ago, but never used it. Is this something hard to get the hang of, especially with using proper thinners or reducers when mixing paint? Is there a good place to look for instructions or guidance on this topic?

It's mainly practice. Try some on old paper or card. You will get the hang of how the paint flows in time and what paint needs more or less thinning.
Just keep asking the forum if you need help, they certainly helped me when I started modeling. Pantherman

 

[stevieb54]

Thanks Pantherman, I watched a you tube video, it was very helpful. Mentioned some air pressures of about 25 psi, metallic about 30. Showed some thinning and results with different primer or basecoat colors. Was worth the 35 minutes.

 

[Pantherman]

Thanks Pantherman, I watched a you tube video, it was very helpful. Mentioned some air pressures of about 25 psi, metallic about 30. Showed some thinning and results with different primer or basecoat colors. Was worth the 35 minutes.

That's the way forward, now just spray like crazy and you will be telling us how to airbrush in no time.
Post pictures as you go so others can see and learn as well. Pantherman

 

[stevieb54]

I cant find my airbrush. Any recommendations for a new one that wont break the bank? I have a compressor and a regulator and dryer that should keep my costs down.

 

[TimM63]

BTW. Love the Camaro. Beautiful color.

 

[stevieb54]

Thanks, Im trying to match the color on a model kit I have. I found this place on flesbay that has MCS paints, and I ordered their Lemans blue

 

[stevieb54]

I cant find my airbrush. Any recommendations for a new one that wont break the bank? I have a compressor and a regulator and dryer that should keep my costs down.

Hah, I found it. It was in the last place I looked lol. Its a Paasche VL set, bought it probably 20 years ago to try some poly carbonate RC building but never got around to it.

 

[TimM63]

Hah, I found it. It was in the last place I looked lol. Its a Paasche VL set, bought it probably 20 years ago to try some poly carbonate RC building but never got around to it.

It is always in the last place you look when you find it HA HA

 

[scalebuilderchad]

Welcome to the forum.

You are going to find out quick that model building has changed since you have done it a long time ago. Even I saw a major difference since I built models as a kid in the 80s. Changed meaning kit quality has increased, 3D printed parts are avaiable so you can add to the accuracy of a kit, or modify it. And there are TONS of paint options.

I know people are suggesting Rustoleum and Krylon products. I like to deter people from thos products. Yes, they can be used on plastic, but they are designed for larger projects. They spray a lot of paint at a time, so you have to practice moving the can quickly and at the right distance so you do not apply too much paint.

Duplicolor spray cans are a little better because they are designed for touch up work. So you might have decent success with those.

But if you really want classic OEM colors, check out MCW Finishes. He has tons of selection and sells his paint in jars ready for airbrushing, or he can put them in a spray can. And if he doesn't have the color you need, send him a paint code and he can make it.

 

[Eagle-1]

Welcome.

Rob.