Whats the preferred source to buy paints for automotive models. Bothe airbrush and brush type enamels?

[stevieb54]

Is there a place everyone prefers? Closest box store is Hobby Lobby, but theres not a lot inventory a lot of times. TIA.

 

[Belugawrx]

I have almost replaced all of my Tamiya, Testors, and Gunze paints with cheap ass CraftSmart, Americana, Apple Barrel acrylics..they thin well for the air brush, mix well for custom colours, and they are like a buck fifty for 2 fluid oz.
Michaels has about 1000 colours too.

 

[stevieb54]

Thanks, I'll check them out.

 

[wjbrandel]

CraftSmart, Americana, Apple Barrel acrylics..they thin well for the air brush, mix well for custom colours, and they are like a buck fifty for 2 fluid oz.
Michaels has about 1000 colours too.

My Hobby Lobby carries about as many as well for about the same price

 

[the Baron]

Where are you located, Stevie, if you don't mind me asking?

Have you looked at any online vendors? I would try MegaHobby, for one, which is the online vendor for Stevens International.

Another online vendor to check out is Sprue Brothers.

And there's Squadron, too.

Other forum members will no doubt have good suggestions, too.

As far as using the craft store paints goes, I use some, too: Apple Barrel, Americana, and Folk Art. As water-based acrylics, they work well with my wet palette, and as Belugawrx says, they can be used to mix colors well, and they are very reasonably priced for the volume. They can be airbrushed, but I found when experimenting airbrushing them, that their pigments are relatively coarse compared to scale modeling paints made specifically for the hobby. It didn't impact spraying them through the airbrush, but I found that the finish was a little rough. But you can mix them and let the coarser pigment settle out first.

Hope that helps, best regard,
Brad

 

[stevieb54]

Thank you Baron. Im located just south of San Francisco in San Carlos, Ca.

 

[128mm Tank Killer]

Thank you Baron. Im located just south of San Francisco in San Carlos, Ca.

Wow, my wife and I just came back from visiting our daughter who lives just north of you in San Bruno. We ate at the Dog Haus Biergarten in San Carlos.

 

[stevieb54]

Lol small world. Havent tried that place yet. Where are you located?

 

[128mm Tank Killer]

Lol small world. Havent tried that place yet. Where are you located?

I work in the DC/Northern Virginia area but my home is in Pennsylvania.

 

[the Baron]

Thank you Baron. Im located just south of San Francisco in San Carlos, Ca.

OK, good, you should check out the online vendors, then, too. Also, since you're in the US, besides the HobbyLobby, you may have a Michael's (relatively) near. They carry the craft store brands we mentioned in a couple of posts.

Good luck with your search!

 

[Littlemarten]

Is there a place everyone prefers? Closest box store is Hobby Lobby, but theres not a lot inventory a lot of times. TIA.

Also check out Hobbylinc in addition to the ones already mentioned.

 

[PatW]

I'm in the UK and use spray cans as airbrushes are too complicated for me. My preference is Plasti-Kote 100ml spray cans and have been for many years. My local small Hardware store stocks the basic colours and can within a few days supply many, many other colours from their supplier. This cuts out any shipping costs, as here a spray can can be £5.99 but the shipping/post and packing is normally £7.99 per can!
I also use Humbrol 10ml cans and brushes.

 

[scottrc78]

I have been using Americana for years. AB wells using saline or distilled water.

 

[scottrc78]

Anybody know of a on-line store or an easier way to search for paint colors?

 

[Littlemarten]

Anybody know of a on-line store or an easier way to search for paint colors?

The best way to search for specific colors is to visit the manufacturer's website. I'm almost exclusively Vallejo, and they have a very good website with lots of info on their colors and paints. I'd be surprised if other hobby paint manufacturers don't.

 

[Belugawrx]

I have been using Americana for years. AB wells using saline or distilled water.

Yes, I do add Liquitex 5620 Flow aid (couple drops with 70/30 water to paint)
helps with the mostly flat colours I've picked up thus far.