Tamiya brushes

[Guest]

Can anyone please tell me what the real-world difference is between the two ranges of Tamiya brushes when it comes to using them? I like using flat brushes with Tamiya acrylics, and I have a couple of the cheaper unpainted-handle Tamiya ones. Would people suddenly be in awe of my brush-painting skills if I buy a couple of the "professional" black-handled ones and use them, or would I have to kid myself that the expense was justified?

[flyjoe180]

Would people suddenly be in awe of my brush-painting skills if I buy a couple of the "professional" black-handled ones and use them, or would I have to kid myself that the expense was justified?

I tried the black handled versions once, they did not last so I would say the extra expense isn't worth it. I had better durability out of Humbrol brushes. These days I go to an art supplies shop to get my brushes.

[Si Benson]

I’ve never used Tamiya brushes so couldn’t comment on them
But I would say the quality of the brush is only half the issue, technique is equally, if not more, important.
I’m no brilliant painter but used to paint Sci-fi miniatures and always spent as much as I could afford on my brushes. And look after them nicely too!

[Guest]

Thank you gentlemen! I'll shortly be trying a couple of "Abteilung 502" flat brushes and will report back in due course ...

[Steve O]

Hi Norman sorry to go slightly of topic whilst i agree with the above i think with any decent make of brushes it's the cleaning afterwards tnat makes the difference, since i started using the Masters brush cleaner mine have improved no end.

While at the Hinkley show i bought a set of quite cheap Italeri brushes and they have turned out brilliant for the cost, i just clean and taper the point before putting them in the stand for next time.

Steve.

[JR]

Hi Norman sorry to go slightly of topic whilst i agree with the above i think with any decent make of brushes it's the cleaning afterwards tnat makes the difference, since i started using the Masters brush cleaner mine have improved no end.

While at the Hinkley show i bought a set of quite cheap Italeri brushes and they have turned out brilliant for the cost, i just clean and taper the point before putting them in the stand for next time.

Steve.

Excuse me Norman for using your thread .
Steve , I've just looked it up, do you rinse it off ? My series 7 don't seem to last very long, sure it's the way I clean them ! , Normally stick them in the Ultra Sonic tank , wave them about in the cleaner and then rinse .
John .

[Guest]

I'd never heard of the stuff, so this is all good I too would like to know exactly how you use it - presumably with acrylics you wash most of the colour off in water first then do with this stuff?

[Steve O]

Excuse me Norman for using your thread .
Steve , I've just looked it up, do you rinse it off ? My series 7 don't seem to last very long, sure it's the way I clean them ! , Normally stick them in the Ultra Sonic tank , wave them about in the cleaner and then rinse .
John .

Hi yes after a cleaning i rinse them with clean water then taper the points with finger and thumb, hope it helps.

Sorry again Norm, Steve.

[Steve O]

I'd never heard of the stuff, so this is all good :smiling3: I too would like to know exactly how you use it - presumably with acrylics you wash most of the colour off in water first then do with this stuff?

Hi Norman water don't get all of the paint out, Masters cleans deep into the bristles, you think you've cleaned the brush but after a swish in Masters you really see the rubbish come out, and yes i only use acryics.

Not cheap but will last years.

Steve.

[Guest]

Thanks Steve - so, to make sure I've got this right it's give brush a splosh around in water to get most of the paint off, squeeze off most of that water, lather brush up in this magic stuff, rinse well then smooth into shape?

[Steve O]

Thanks Steve - so, to make sure I've got this right it's give brush a splosh around in water to get most of the paint off, squeeze off most of that water, lather brush up in this magic stuff, rinse well then smooth into shape?

That's it Norman, it really is fantastic for acrylics, in fact i've just used it.

All the best Steve.

[Guest]

Right, that's me sold on it

Thank you!

[Tim Marlow]

Another satisfied customer here, I’ve been using Masters brush cleaner for several years. It certainly improves brush cleaning when using acrylics, and maximises brush life.
John, I really wouldn’t treat a series seven like that...you are damaging the bristles. Masters cleaner is cheaper than a single series seven so invest in some....
Any good art shop should carry it, failing that, use amazon....
The way I use it is as follows;
Remove the majority of the paint using water, rewet the brush with clean water, swirl in Masters cleaner, lather up bristles in the palm of your hand, rinse out under running water, point brush and allow to dry upright with bristles at the top.....

PS, for brushes, use Rosemary & Co. They are cheaper than series seven, but still good quality. Modellers are hard on brushes and these are a good compromise of cost against quality.

Cheers
Tim

[Guest]

PS, for brushes, use Rosemary & Co. They are cheaper than series seven, but still good quality.

Gosh ... selection shock! Which of their acrylic brush bristle materials would you recommend for use with Tamiya paints? I'm particularly interested in flat brushes for use on scratchbuilt plastic card buildings.

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Norman
I don’t brush paint Tamiya paint, so not sure what to recommend? I use series 323 or series 93 with Vallejo, so the flats or filberts from those ranges would be worth a crack? Might be worth talking to them because there is a bewildering variety of brushes on their site. Let us know how you get on.
Cheers
Tim