Airbrush Paints

[starman]

I’m just getting into airbrushing.  What brand paint have you found works best for the money?  Thanks.

[BigDaddy]

We just had a thread about Scalecoat going under.  I'll add to your question; what brands are left?

• Tamiya
• Vallejo  (I've used this, no complaints.  It was all that was available close by.
• Mission Models
• ?

[doctorwayne]

Pretty-well most any paint seems to be fine for airbrushing, but I recall many years ago when modellers were arguing over which thinner to use with Pollyscale paints...they included lacquer thinner, vinegar, windshield washer fluid, window cleaner and a bunch of other chemicals.  I couldn't decide which would work best, until it dawned on me to ask Pollyscale...their recommendation was to use distilled water, and for my first time airbrushing, I managed to do, non-stop, over 40 boxcars in a variety of boxcar reds and browns, with nary a hitch.  From that day on, Pollyscale has been my go-to favourite, and I still have quite a bit of Pollyscale paint on-hand.

I also use Floquil, Scalecoat, Accu-Paint, tru-color, Tamiya, Humbrol, and Vallejo.

Wayne

[snjroy]

Acrylic craft paints also work. Use a strainer and they are fine for buildings. I also used some on rolling stock, although my first choice would be Vallejo for these applications.

Simon   

[mbinsewi]

I've also had good results with decanted spray can paint.  It's the consistancy, righ out of the can.

Mike.

[Soo Line fan]

I started out using Floquil but they are long since gone. Still using their paint as I have a nice stock. As I ran out of colors, I purchased Scalecoat. Same basic process, but more thinner and a little higher PSI.

 

As mentioned, Scalecoat is no longer in production and may or may not come back. I ended up buying a bunch of Scalecoat so I should be set.

 

If I were just starting out again, I would go with TCP as they have a large selection of RR colors. I like solvent paints. https://trucolorpaint.com/

 

 

Painting is like many other aspects of this hobby, different people like and use different brands.

 

Pick one with good availability, color selection and after a learning curve, you should get good results.

[NVSRR]

Don't forget humbrol paints

I saw somewhere. A list that showed a company called hunter paints

 

shane

[SeeYou190]

If I ever need a color I do not have already I am going to try Badger Air or Vallejo Model Air.

-Kevin

[ricktrains4824]

I have had the best results (currently available) from TruColor.

For weathering, I mix craft paint and thin it with Airbrush medium. 

[starman]

Thanks to everybody who replied to my question.  Your answers will be a big help as I embark on learning to use an airbrush!  

[IDRick]

Good luck, have fun!  There is an excellent online publication on painting with acrylics in a post Floquil world.  An excellent read for someone new to airbrushing, like me!  It has been updated from the original version.

[SeeYou190]

NVSRR

Don't forget humbrol paints

Humbrol has some glossy paints that I have had good results with.

Using the Hubrol branded thinner with these paints has been a lesson learned... they do not like Testors Universal Thinner.

-Kevin

[doctorwayne]

SeeYou190

Using the Humbrol branded thinner with these paints has been a lesson learned... they do not like Testors Universal Thinner.

I have several of those little metal cans that their paint comes in, and decided to empty two of them (filled with silver paint) into an empty Pollyscale bottle.  I then rinsed-out both tins, using lacquer thinner, then dumped the balance of the recovered paint and the thinner into the same bottle.
It's now much easier to use for airbrushing, and I'll likely put the remaining Humbrol paint into bottles, too ...some as-is and some mixed to create a different colour.  The lacquer thinner is well-suited to Humbrol paints.

Wayne

[Mark R.]

Pretty much any medium is sprayable if thinned correctly. I've even shoved thinned latex house paint through my airbrush with some pretty good results !

Mark.

[starman]

Now that I have received lots of information about what airbrush paint is available and other paint I can use, who do you order your airbrush paints from?  Who has the best prices and are easy to order from.  Thanks!

[ricktrains4824]

That depends on which one you are ordering, and how much.

That will also depend a lot on where you are located, and weather conditions. (Some paints really dislike freezing temps.)

I have, in the past, ordered paint from multiple locations, from places like Fusion Scale Graphics (Decals also), MicroMark, YankeeDabbler, Walthers, Hobby Lobby, Kalmbach Store on one color, and others. 

If ordering multiple bottles, TruColor themselves have a flat shipping rate option that comes in pretty economically inside the USA. (Same price from 1 to 10 of the 1oz bottles, mix and match any colors needed. Best value is of course higher on that range towards 10.)