New to modelling, need advice

[Guest]

To thin Tamiya and Gunze, both laquier, you can use isopropyl alcohol (or even denaturate alcohol which is anyway better than water).

Regards,

Francesco

[spanner570]

I only brush paint my models and this is just my (far too many years!) experience with acrylics.....

I found with Tamiya acrylics, no matter what I thinned them with, were as good as useless for brushwork. I ended up slinging them.

I have also tried other makes....

After a lot of trial and error, I only use Vallejo Model Colour acrylics (I also use children's cheapo paints too) and have done for ages. Vallejo paints are easily thinned with water and produce the results I require.....These are my findings when using these paints with a brush. I'm sure folks will have their own thoughts.

If you can get hold of Vallejo paints I do urge you to try them. They are so easy to use, but please thin them with whatever you decide is best.....As has been pointed out, numerous thin coats are better than a couple of thick ones.

Ron

[Guest]

Aaron

These are the places listed by Vallejo in Australia. Even if you cannot reach (380 miles) I bet they have on line facilities.

Model Paints

• FX DISTRIBUTORS APR. LTD.
  300, Port road
  Hindmarsh
  South Australia 5007
  Phone: +61 883 46 1900
  Fax: +61 883 46 1900
  fxdistributors@bigpond.com
  
• HOBBIES AUSTRALIA
  2 Crown Street
  Newcastle NSW 2300
  Australia
  Phone: 02 4927 5810
  Fax: 02 4929 1255
  Hobbies Australia - Home
  sales@hobbiesaustralia.com.au
  Laurie
  

.

[Guest]

I too have found tamiya paints useless for brushing with but they are fantastic through an airbrush. Not tried Vallejo yet.

[aaron]

BNA is also a good online shop for aussies. I like bna weekly deals they carry a full line of vallejo and ak etc

[Guest]

ill check out Hobbyone on saturday for paints. they have a much much larger section of models ( where i go now is literally a toy store, but its close)

if they have those paints ill grab a few of them

so, from researching, i gather you cant mix paint brands? just stick to one brand right?

[aaron]

I mix vallejo with cheap liquitex acrylic with no problem. Ive never mixed tamiya acrylics with other brands.You can however use other brands over well cured paint.

[Guest]

ah thats good, just bought 5 Tamiya paints yesterday, dont want them to go to waste

definitely learning by trial and error, so im glad i got a $10 Airfix first up ( and a $15 Airfix tank next) over the $100 ones that were really grabbing my eye hahaah

one of the propellers broke last night when a gust of wind blew it off my desk. took ages to glue it back in cause its so small and i could barely hold it, then when id take my fingers off ( they were sticky) it would pull it off the plane again...frustrating lol but seems alright now.

Painting..well i know i need new brushes. bought a pack of 4 with the Yak, but they arent working well for me. especially the smaller brushes. on saturday at the bigger hobby store ill look for better quality ones.

think i should get some tooth picks too, to help add the cement/glue as im making a mess.

the one thing i noticed though is how time flies while in the process

with the King Tiger tank i think ill try painting before assembly, see how i go that way

[aaron]

Tweezers are helpful for holding those small parts till the cement dries also tamiya thin cement is awesome stuff which has a small brush attached to help avoid sticky fingers.It is thin enough that you can put two pieces together then touch the join with the cement brush and capillary action will join the two pieces.When i first started modelling i used the thick gel cements and use to make a terrible mess.

[Guest]

self locking tweezers are also useful

[Guest]

forgot to say- if joining fuselages together, always use plastic clamps which lock on itself. Do not use lots of glue when doing this- you can smear the paneling lines over and make them blurred.

[Guest]

Are you using your glue out of tube or a little bottle with a needle on. When I first started modelling I was using a tube of glue that came with the kit. That's why I was making a mess. Soon realised that the tubes are no good because there is virtually no control over the amount coming out the end. Liquid cement is very good as long as you are carefully with it using the capillary action as others have mentioned

[Guest]

I do believe that Tamiya Acrylic uses a thinner in its paint which is not water & does not accept water. Vallejo Humbrol & Revell acrylics have their own thinners & except water. So I would be careful mixing Tamiya with an Acrylic which will accept water. Best to experiment when mixing before applying to the model.

Laurie

[Guest]

the glue is Revell Contacta professional

it has a needle on it

i was just too heavy handed

[Guest]

My two pennies worth

Take your time no need to rush a build.

Enjoy yourself and relax switch off from the world

Oh and post some pics