Greetings All

[Ttrex]

Recently retired and just getting into model building. Son gave me a really detailed ME-262 model. Really enjoy putting it together but running into beginner mistakes. I thought I would try acrylic paint thinking it would be easier to work with since it is water based. I order a variety pack from Fantastory. Did I get the wrong kind of acrylic paint. It has the consistency of a gel and doesn't go on smoothly or provide good coverage. Is there another kind that is more like a liquid and provides good coverage? Thanks for any advice.
Ttrex

 

[Pantherman]

Recently retired and just getting into model building. Son gave me a really detailed ME-262 model. Really enjoy putting it together but running into beginner mistakes. I thought I would try acrylic paint thinking it would be easier to work with since it is water based. I order a variety pack from Fantastory. Did I get the wrong kind of acrylic paint. It has the consistency of a gel and doesn't go on smoothly or provide good coverage. Is there another kind that is more like a liquid and provides good coverage? Thanks for any advice.
Ttrex

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have always used vallejo paints and find them very easy to work with, both hand painting and airbrushing.

It takes a bit of practice to get the amount of thinner or water to add but it all comes together after a few attempts.

Generally I find it's better to have more thinner layers of paint than just a few or one thicker coat.

The main thing is to fun and in time you will find what works best for you. Always help and advice available here from members far more experienced than me. Pantherman

 

[urumomo]

Welcome Aboard !

Many of the acrylics like that will need to be thinned .
This is a great source for scale model paints --> https://www.scalehobbyist.com/index.php ( assuming you are in North America )
Craft paints like the Fantastory will work but you'll need to thin most of them .

 

[Ttrex]

Welcome Aboard !

Many of the acrylics like that will need to be thinned .
This is a great source for scale model paints --> https://www.scalehobbyist.com/index.php ( assuming you are in North America )
Craft paints like the Fantastory will work but you'll need to thin most of them .

Thankyou urumomo, I'll check out that link.

 

[Ttrex]

Thankyou urumomo, I'll check out that link.

 

[Ttrex]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have always used vallejo paints and find them very easy to work with, both hand painting and airbrushing.

It takes a bit of practice to get the amount of thinner or water to add but it all comes together after a few attempts.

Generally I find it's better to have more thinner layers of paint than just a few or one thicker coat.

The main thing is to fun and in time you will find what works best for you. Always help and advice available here from members far more experienced than me. Pantherman

Thanks Pantherman, I'll try adding some water and see what happens.

 

[Airborne01!]

Welcome mate
Steve

 

[BarleyBop]

Welcome to the Addict, a slippery but enjoyable slope!

 

[Eagle-1]

How y'all are!

Rob.

 

[TimM63]

Recently retired and just getting into model building. Son gave me a really detailed ME-262 model. Really enjoy putting it together but running into beginner mistakes. I thought I would try acrylic paint thinking it would be easier to work with since it is water based. I order a variety pack from Fantastory. Did I get the wrong kind of acrylic paint. It has the consistency of a gel and doesn't go on smoothly or provide good coverage. Is there another kind that is more like a liquid and provides good coverage? Thanks for any advice.
Ttrex

Not all acrylic paint is water base. Some are alcohol based and some are solvent based. Just be sure to match the thinner to the paint.

 

[BOATMAN]

AN a welcome from me to hope you enjoy this forum as im a fairly newbie but im enjoyin talkin to the guys an they are very helpfull to me on my uss hornet build an ive always used humbroll paints for the last 60 odd yrs as i normally brush paint like i have on my hornet an i use rattle cans for big paint jobs SO MODEL AWAY an yes have fun thats the main point
CHEERS SIR
Chrisb

 

[Jakko]

Not all acrylic paint is water base. Some are alcohol based and some are solvent based. Just be sure to match the thinner to the paint.

To add to that: you can thin alcohol-based acrylics with water, but using alcohol on water-based paints is hit-and-miss. It works fine for some brands, while others have unexpected reactions that may make the paint hard to work with.

You can tell the three kinds apart by smell, BTW. If it has a mild smell it will be water-based, if it has a strong smell it will be alcohol-based, and if the smell makes you want to put the cap back on the bottle straight away, it will be lacquer-based

 

[Down Time]

Welcome!!!!!!
Had the same issue when I got back into this, working with European Theater U.S. aircraft. Bought the Vallejo Air War starter pack, worked out great, except it's for air brushes. The paint is thin, but I find it easy to work with except when covering large areas, then I use standard Vallejo.

 

[Steve Ski]

Howdy, T! Sounds like you got a good kit, so check the links, and we'll help with whatever we can to get you started.

It is important that you check Youtube for any tutorials you might think of in the model arena. It's a treasure trove of intel for beginners and veterans alike. I use it all the time. This will save you some frustration starting out. This is just a matter of learning technique that produce great results and what you yourself feel like doing. Whatever you do, have fun, cause that's what this is all about.

And post em when ya got em. Cheers, Ski.