AK 3rd Gen Acrylics.

[Dave Ward]

I've been in contact with John and ordered some bottles. I'll review them in the coming week(s). I'll do both brush and airbrush coverage, and I hope to do some masking tests on one of the never-going-to-be-built pile in my stash. I'll also generally comment on handling, speed of drying etc
Cheers, Dave

[topgazza]

Reading up on theses it's unclear, to me anyway, if you can airbrush out of the bottle or have to thin. They mention their own thinners, natch, but again I can't see if you can use water or Mr Colour leveller

[Dave Ward]

You can download the ' dossier ' on the third generation acrylics HERE
It appears that you have to thin them to airbrush, of course using AK thinner!, but I'll see if water, or IPA work as well ( I actually do have some AK thinner ). The pressure it recommends seems to be 18-20 psi, which seems a little lower than normal , but I'll see how it performs.
Dave

[Guest]

Look forward to these reviews.
Having no issues with vallejo at all, which sprays well neat, but always happy to read up on potentially better paint.
I was looking at a new primer today because the stynylrez ‘spurts’ when I spray it. Not a huge issue since it self levels, but I did notice a gen3 primer in this range that piqued my interest.

[topgazza]

I had the spurting with Stynylrez so I upped the PSI and it was OK. Then thinned it a bit and it was even better. When mine arrives I'll try with Mr Colour thinner as well Dave. Probably 10-20 % maybe, who knows ? I wish manufacturers would be more open instead of pushing their own "solutions" to things like thinning. But the specs on this stuff appear impressive if they pan out

[AlanG]

I'll stick with my Vallejo, Hannants (now i know how to thin them) and Tamiya paints for now. They work for me so no point in buying a whole new range.They look good but the cost of replacing my RLM paints alone is a non-starter for me.

[topgazza]

I have just used Tamiya paints for the first time in an airbrush thinned with Mr Colour about 60-40 and was very impressed, very impressed indeed by the application and finish. Still love my Vallejo Air though but happy to try the AK3 but if its a lot of faffing about I'll stop. If it mixes OK with MCL or even water then OK for the colours I might need. Early days for me so I haven't got rows and rows of paints like many.

For me its about range of colours and AK3 looks like a comprehensive range to cater for all modelling hobbies. Struggled a bit to find equivelents for some of my VAllejo. I'm sure they are there but the conversion chart looks a work in progress, whether it is or not. Be nice if or when Modelshade.com has AK3 on its website. I might mix and match my paints depending on what I find and Dave tries. But I am a believer in sticking what works unless a persuasive arguement comes across

[Guest]

It appears that you have to thin them to airbrush, of course using AK thinner!, but I'll see if water, or IPA work as well ( I actually do have some AK thinner ).

Dave, I had a quick try with various "thinners" earlier to see how they reacted. Mr Levelling Thinner didn't go well, it actually thickened it up, as did IPA! Water and their own thinner was fine, although I'm sure you'll be testing for yourself.

The quick airbrush test I did the other day with German Grey went well, but I cleaned my AB out with water, then IPA, and a subsequent test with some red (diluted with AK thinner) was horrific lol. I'm guessing there was still a little IPA residue left in the brush.

[topgazza]

I have an almost automatic negative reaction when manufacturers seem to bias their product and eliminate common use other products. It seems odd to market the paint as no toxcity and smell then basically make you use a toxic thinners. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh but I find that irritating. But if water works then fine. What ratio did you use Andy ?

[AlanG]

Gary. I don't have a 'great range' of paints for the pure reason that i tend to normally make Luftwaffe aircraft and there are only a set amount of RLM paints for them. I'm starting to build up my RAF paints now but again that will be limited too. So rather than switch over to something new i'm going to stick with what i know works (for now).

[topgazza]

Makes sense Alan. Funny enough I'm about to do the opposite in model choice and have a go at some German WWII aircraft. Colour recomendations please ? PM me if you want

[AlanG]

If you use water to thin paints then try this simple test. Use cold water on one then tepid water on the next. You'll see the difference. I was having problems with my Hannants Xtracrylix range until i tried the tepid water. Works a treat now. Also leaves a lovely finish.

[Guest]

What ratio did you use Andy ?

As mentioned earlier, 50/50.

In their airbrush video AK say that they can be thinned much more if required.

[topgazza]

Teach me to not concentrate when reading posts :flushed:

50/50 is a hefty thin but if it works then great especially as I prefer doing thin coats. I haven't seen the video yet.

[topgazza]

Love the computer generated voice

But marketing to one side this does look like a genuine attempt to raise the game in paints.