Paint Purchase Question

[Navcom]

Now that I'm solidly back into this modeling addiction, it's become obvious that I have to make a major paint purchase. This whole buying-them-one-at-a-time thing is getting old and wasting a lot of precious modeling time waiting for the mail to be delivered. I would love some advice on how to proceed as I'm sure many folks here have been at this stage at some point.

I mostly shoot acrylics through the airbrush. I love Tamiya and this is usually what I default to. I also have a few bottles of Vallejo and Model Masters. Vallejo seems to clog a bit at times and MM...well, not my favorite for sure.

I would like to pick up a large set so I get a larger selection of colors. I know I'll be mixing and matching brands going forward to get what I need for results but I just need a good, large, base set. I'm pretty much an aircraft guy...both WWII and current.

My thoughts:

Vallejo seems to have the most available sets of paint and a pretty respectable color selection. It's also the most "lung" friendly I believe but I could be wrong. But the whole clogging thing bothers me. I'm starting to thin them a bit with Ultimate thinner and it seems to work pretty well. Maybe this will make all the difference. The availability and selection seems to make it the most desirable....but I don't have a lot of experience with Vallejo. Any other advantages/disadvantages with Vallejo?

Tamiya is my favorite but I can't seem to find any large sets available for purchase...just one-offs. Am I wrong? Is there a source for complete sets in the USA? Besides the more limited color selection, any other disadvantages/advantages?

Gunze...same as Tamiya...can't seem to find sets. How does Mr. Color compare to Tamiya and Vallejo (I've never used Gunze products).

Would love any thoughts you guys have. Any advice for the paint-deprived out here?

[JohnP]

Don't know how to help you but with the Tamiyas.

I frequently deal with MegaHobby for hobby needs.

They offer the complete set of Tamiya Acrylics.

Link for the complete set:
http://www.megahobby.com/completetamiya ... color.aspx

Link for only the Tamiya Flat Acryls:
http://www.megahobby.com/completetamiya ... inall.aspx

However, my suggestion is to buy the paints you need as you build your models instead of buying the whole collection at once.
Your collection will slowly accumulate and will be easy on your wallet. Plus, you'll save money by not buying certain colors you'll never use.

[Navcom]

Don't know how to help you but with the Tamiyas.

I frequently deal with MegaHobby for hobby needs.

They offer the complete set of Tamiya Acrylics.

Link for the complete set:
http://www.megahobby.com/completetamiya ... color.aspx

Link for only the Tamiya Flat Acryls:
http://www.megahobby.com/completetamiya ... inall.aspx

However, my suggestion is to buy the paints you need as you build your models instead of buying the whole collection at once.
Your collection will slowly accumulate and will be easy on your wallet. Plus, you'll save money by not buying certain colors you'll never use.

Thanks for the links. That's exactly what I was looking for!

Yeah, I've been really struggling with this decision...buy a lot or continue to buy 1 at a time. To get to a brick and mortar store is about 1.5 hour drive for me, so 90% of my buying is on line. I've now had the sixth shipment that was either the wrong color from what I need or the order was screwed up and the wrong color was sent. I'm wasting more time and money on shipping, driving, and waiting than I would if I just buckled down and ordered a whole set and be done with it for awhile. I'm not afraid of mixing and experimenting a bit so the compete set should probably get me 95% of what I need. Then I can just worry about ordering the specialty colors I need for special situations.

I have only 27 bottles of paint in my current collection. Looking through the receipts, I've spent almost $50 on shipping. Even if I only ever use 1/2 of the complete Tamiya set, I will be money ahead AND will be able to spend much more time modeling instead of waiting.

Thanks a ton for the links!

Anyone else have any input on Vallejo or Gunze paint advantages or disadvantages? I wish I had more diverse experience with paint.

[Paul]

Not had any use of the mr color range of paints but heard only good things about them apart form them smell (no worse than tamiya though) The mr hobby aqueous paints are superb but i believe hard to find in the US.

The problem with tamiya paints is they are aimed at the japanese modelling market so the colour range isnt the best neither is the match to the actual colour they say they are.

Vallejo clog and again i don't think the colours represent what that say they are.

Akan are very good paints (and available from linden hill in the USA) one of the best acrylics in my opinion and I'm currently in the process of a growing collection. The range covers everything you could need really rlm,fs,bs, russian and armour colours too. It thins perfectly with our Ultimate thinners and they are my favourite paint so far.

[Navcom]

Not had any use of the mr color range of paints but heard only good things about them apart form them smell (no worse than tamiya though) The mr hobby aqueous paints are superb but i believe hard to find in the US.

The problem with tamiya paints is they are aimed at the japanese modelling market so the colour range isnt the best neither is the match to the actual colour they say they are.

Vallejo clog and again i don't think the colours represent what that say they are.

Akan are very good paints (and available from linden hill in the USA) one of the best acrylics in my opinion and I'm currently in the process of a growing collection. The range covers everything you could need really rlm,fs,bs, russian and armour colours too. It thins perfectly with our Ultimate thinners and they are my favourite paint so far.

Thanks Paul. Never heard of Akan until now. Looks like Linden Hill is offline through most of June due to a "vacation". Definitely give a bottle a try when I can get my hands on some.

Tamiya is very available here which is why it's one I'm familiar with. And you are absolutely right...the colors aren't perfect. I like mixing and trying new things and Tamiya colors work very well in this environment. I shoot Tamiya straight from the bottle about 50% of the time. The other 50% it's mixed with something else to try to achieve a result.

You guys across the pond seem to have a much more established modeling environment than us Yanks. The most prevalent paint here is Testors....... ??

And BTW, I love Ultimate thinner and cleaner! I just wish it was easier to get here and didn't involve the international shipping "risk".

[Paul]

Not had any use of the mr color range of paints but heard only good things about them apart form them smell (no worse than tamiya though) The mr hobby aqueous paints are superb but i believe hard to find in the US.

The problem with tamiya paints is they are aimed at the japanese modelling market so the colour range isnt the best neither is the match to the actual colour they say they are.

Vallejo clog and again i don't think the colours represent what that say they are.

Akan are very good paints (and available from linden hill in the USA) one of the best acrylics in my opinion and I'm currently in the process of a growing collection. The range covers everything you could need really rlm,fs,bs, russian and armour colours too. It thins perfectly with our Ultimate thinners and they are my favourite paint so far.

Thanks Paul. Never heard of Akan until now. Looks like Linden Hill is offline through most of June due to a "vacation". Definitely give a bottle a try when I can get my hands on some.

Tamiya is very available here which is why it's one I'm familiar with. And you are absolutely right...the colors aren't perfect. I like mixing and trying new things and Tamiya colors work very well in this environment. I shoot Tamiya straight from the bottle about 50% of the time. The other 50% it's mixed with something else to try to achieve a result.

You guys across the pond seem to have a much more established modeling environment than us Yanks. The most prevalent paint here is Testors....... ??

And BTW, I love Ultimate thinner and cleaner! I just wish it was easier to get here and didn't involve the international shipping "risk".

Glad your liking the Ultimate products

Seriously give akan a go they are top drawer paints