Paint questions

[Anonymous]

I'm a beginner that needs a lot of advice in painting building kits etc. Should I be using an airbrush? I.E. is it worth the extra cost to a beginner who is trying to buy scenery materials, kits, tools, track etc etc etc. The cost of compressor, brush, spray booth seems quite high. However maybe it is worth it for the quality job you can do compared to brushing? However I would rather invest the money up front if the difference in quality of airbru***o paintbrush is very noticable.
Secondly, I've read some of these scenery and kit building books and they seem to push acrylic paints. Is there any type that is better than another? I.E. should I only be using Polly Scale (Floquil)? Thanks for your help

[Anonymous]

I`ve been in the hobby for over forty years,and am only now purchasing an airbrush. Hand painting can be very creative. When you hand paint a structure,you will never get two results the same,which is true of buildings built at different times. There will always be a time when you have to hand paint. This is why you need to hone that skill. As far as paints,acrylic is pushed because of the ease of clean-up and you don`t have solvents to dispose of. Also if spraying oil base,you need to wear safety equipment to filter out the oils and pigments. Some modelers prefer oil base and others water based paints. Experiment with both and decide which you like best. But as far as needing an airbru***o build a model railroad,you don`t have to have one. Great Luck, Gerald




















Ge

[BRAKIE]

Hi,Guy:Frist let me say wecome to the hobby! Now
to answer your questions.I have been in this hobby for years,(above 50 years)And I have never owned a air brush! I paint my buildings by hand,
after they are built,some paint them while they are still on the spur(the round piece of plastic
that holds the parts)both ways work well.But,for me I prefer to paint them after I build them that
way if I boo-boo,and have any excess glue on the
building I can clean it off with-out damageing
the paint job. the paint of my choich is polley
scale(floquil)as this is water base,and can be thin by water.I have used this paint for years when it was only known by floquil.Now for scenery
I perfer to use artist paint,(available at arts and craft shops)then I use a thin wash of polley
scale paint to high light or darken the scene,to
blend it together.Now should you buy a air brush?
That all depends on how much painting you will be
doing.Will you be painting your own engines and cars? Will you be weathering your trains,building
and other things? If so,it might be worth the investment.I use the polley scale spray paint to
to paint my engines and cars.not a job for the faint of heart.I have done this for years and have it down to a art.But, if you are only going to paint buildings,I,myself,would not buy one.
I hope this helps you.Oh,by the way,most people
think I use a air brush!
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Guy, As some others have already suggested you
don't have to use a airbrush. You can get great
results with just a brush, unless you are going
to paint an engine or cars. When I paint
buildings I paint only by brush. Dry brushing to
me is the best way to weather. Others will have
there opions. Air brushing to me is only good for
base coat painting. Give your hands a try. You
can use all kinds of brushes to. If you are
married your wife has old makeup brushs that can
be used also. There all kinds of odds and ends
that can be used for painting. Good luck. Ross