More Advice...paint types
 

I posted a few days ago about a Tamiya Leopard 2A6 that I had just purchased. It arrived in the mail this weekend, and man is it nice!!

Anyway, I have only built static models in the past. These I would paint with acrylics and enamels. I never had to worry about the paint chipping or wearing off.

Now I need advice on which kinds of paints to use for an RC model. Since this is a mixed media model (many types of plastic and metal), can I just use something similar to Tamiya metal primer? Is there anything that would be better to use? Also, what do you guys use as a top coat after your camo is on?

Thanks for the help

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

prime it with tamiya primer, dual purpose one or prime plastic with plastice primer and metal with metal one. either enaml or acryalic will work
good luck, tom

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

I often use an enamel auto primer (i.e. Krylon, etc.) in the typically large rattle cans found in most any department store hardware or automotive section. These are typically meant for, you guessed it, metal auto bodies. Never had a problem with such a primer having a bad effect on plastic of any sort. Reason I mention this is Tamiya paint is expensive and comes in small cans.

In any event, should you decide to use this more economical method, be sure to test spray the primer on some scrap plastic to be certain the paint does not craze the plastic.

For a top coat, most people often seal the paint and decals with something like Testors Dullcoat Lacquer. There are all kinds and brands of dullcoat or clear matte finish. Tamiya makes some too if you just have to use that brand.

-Harq

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

Harq,
i thought you only had one henglong tank. have you repainted it?:D where does "often" come from?

please do not use cheap stuff on your tamiya tank, you do not want to ruin it. yes, test it if you really want to save $10 on paint while you spent $600 on your tamiya tank. do the math.

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

As was stated, a good coat of your typical Krylon type primer over the whole model is a good start. I would use a grey color primer so no color shows through later.

I used Tamiya x-60 as my base color via an airbrush. This is a water based acrylic and is in my opinion terrible paint to work with. It thins poorly and has odd drying qualities. It worked out ok, but I wont use it again. Testors model masters is a better paint in my opinion.

For the secondary camo red, I blended together a number of enamal Floqual colors, box car red being the primary color to start with..I just lightened it with a tough of white and a bit of tan enamal until I got a color I liked. You can certainly find a variety of appropriate camo colors in acrylic by Tamiya, Testors etc if that is your preference.

After all paint dried including the hand painted tools, weathering and dry transfers were applied, a number of thin coats of Testors Dullcoat clear provided a protective finish to the paint/markings and gives a nice uniform flat.

It has all worn well, even the undercarriage, so I cannot complain.

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

You have to be careful whose advice you listen to. Tom gave you good advice, you are obviously not a cheapskate if you bought that beautiful tank,it will last you many years, so who cares about a few bucks for some decent paint. The other guys who answered you failed to mention they don't have Tamiya tanks, they have cheap $50 junk toys ,the paint you need to buy probably costs more than their tanks, so of course they dont buy the good stuff.

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

My opinion fellas Tamiya tanks are fantastic, top of the line now their paint is a different matter any Tamiya flat paint should be renamed semigloss. Humbrol matt is so flat it's almost drys to chalk, no dullcoat is ever needed, just great stuff and sports a better price tag as well. ;)

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

i never tried Humbrol, so can not say. I have been using Tamiya Acrylic paint, it is dead dull. I never use testor dull coat unless i have to, say cover the glossy coat for decaling. testor dull coat, even the MM dull coat are too shiny for tanks.

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

I Find That MM Paints out of a Jar have more of a semi-gloss vs there Spray. after applying all the colors I want, Decals and Weathering, I always top coat with testors Dull Cote. This makes everything have the same sheen. I have done this method on my ships for years and now my tanks. Works great for me.


Semper Fi!

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

TANKDUEL,
I have like $12 in paint on my Tiger, its all rattle can. I figure if its good enough for auto applications it will last on my tanks, and if it does fade it will only ad to the appearance. I understand if you are doing fine detail work you will want to use an airbrush and a paintbrush, then yea I would %100 agree with you, but for base coats, I think the cheaper stuff is just as good and ya get a lot more.
Do you bleed Tamiya? :D I'm just messing with ya, your paint jobs are phenomenal, like Tomzag's. I just wanted to add my 2 cents and let people know there are cheaper solutions.

Brock:)

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

I agree with you completely, I have used Walmart Primer on just about everything at one time or another, Be careful though. If you laydown a primer then switch Brands IE another primer over the top or color, It could Craze. I know this from misserable experiances. Always test compatabilities first. If I remember right Krylon over Walmart primer will defenatly weather your Tank, Like right now. And I dont think you will like the result[:@]

If I remember right from years ago painting Cars (Real Ones) You can spray Enamel over lacquer but not Lacquer over enamel. I know i will be corrected if i am wrong on this point so i wont ask to be:D
General rule of thumb, Use what you want.....After you have Tested it on Plastic
:D

By the way last visit to the dock, I bleed A+ Red Stuff, I double checked the Label, Rest assured it did not say Tamiya + I hope we can all breathe easier now:D

Semper Fi!

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

Thanks for all the responses. Some great advice in here.

I dont mind spending money on Tamiya paints, but the problem I have with airbrushing them is that they are not as easy to thin as say MM paints. I always seem to get a buildup of paint on my tips, and have to clean them more often (during the spraying session) than other paints. I have sprayed other acrylics without as many problems as the Tamiya paints seem to give me. I will give Tamiya paints a shot again and see how I do. The reasoning behind this is that I went out to Tomzag's website and looked at the finish on his Leopard...I like the overall sheen of it.

What I was mainly concerned about with this model was the priming, and all the different materials there are to work with in this kit. Are there any options for a primer that can be airbrushed? I have much better luck with airbrushes and would hate to lose any of the fine detail on top of the tank. In other words, I dont trust myself with a spray can.

There is one piece on this tank (the end of the gun muzzle) that the instructions state that I should not prime with metal primer. Anyone know why, and are there more parts like this in the kit?

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

You can always re-paint, or paint-over just like you would the real thing. So, don't worry much about experimenting with different types of paint.

I've read reports of the allies using white wash in a pinch for winter camo. Maybe just a rumor. Even bed sheets. But in a pinch, it would seem plausible.

Anyone else heard of these things?

Cheers....

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

Nav, it is indeed true. I have pictures of German tanks with white wash, bed sheets and even chalk scribbles to add some white camo. Amazing what you can come up with when you are desperate :)

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

Here is a tip i picked up for thinning Tamiya acrlics and i have had no problems so far, its to use windshield washer fluid for thinning acrylic paints. Now, every time I airbrush, I get great results. The WW fluid (I use the cheap stuff from a gallon jug, sold at discount stores all over) has some detergent in it, which helps to break the surface tension of the water-based paint, allowing it to flow more freely. I use the blue tinted stuff, but the color has no impact on the color of the paint- even when painting with white or light yellow.

Hope this helps

Ian

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

That does help. Thanks, Ill give it a shot.

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

If its the detergent that's allowing it to thin, perhaps a drop of dish detergent in a half cup of water would do the same thing??? Really cheap and easy, but effective...

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

haha, actually I'm only messing with you guys too!
Neville

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

I used that tip Ian,but not on a tank yet, only buildings so far, except I used household glass cleaner, with good results.It has an anti dust ingredient,that can't be a bad thing:D
Neville

That does help. Thanks, Ill give it a shot.
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RE: More Advice...paint types
 

I can't freaking find any NATO green around my area... what other color can I substitute for it instead and make it look convincing on Leo2, or better yet, does Leo2 use any other color scheme than NATO tri color camo pattern? I've seen some photos of real Leo2s in single color scheme, what color would that be?

Oh also I can't find Tamiya Primer, not even on their website! Where can I get Tamiya Primer or equavilent of it???

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

Yes, true..I only use that crappy Tamiya and Testors brand paints. Perhaps you could share THE brand to use when painting a TAMIYA tank vs any other model? I wonder what the big scale guys use when they paint $5000.00 1/6th scale tigers? I wonder if the paint they use probably cost more then $500.00 junk toy Tamiya tanks? Ponderous...:eek:

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

I do not have any 1/6 scale tanks, so I do not know what they use. one thing for sure, they will not save $10 or even $100 to buy cheap paint to paint on their baby.

lot of people call tamiya tank toys, but never heard they call it junk.

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

Tom...Shame Shame Shame, You called my Unpainted King Tiger Junk a few days ago:eek: Hmmmm I guess if its Junk I can use cheap paint........NOT!



Semper Fi!

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

Haha, Semper:D

[sm=lol.gif][sm=lol.gif][sm=lol.gif]

RE: More Advice...paint types
 

Tamiya paint in stock here http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXUU75&P=0 and primer here http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXLLB1&P=7 and metal only http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXBUC2&P=7

calvinwill