Acrylics for brush painting

[blueST]

Are Humbrol acrylics any good for brush painting? If not Humbrol, are any other brands? I’ve read nothing but complaints about brushing Tamiya paints. They seem fine on small parts but I want to brush the green camo pattern onto a 1:48 plane.

If not, I’ll use enamel, but would prefer acrylic as all my other paint is.

[Eric Mc]

I've not used Humbrol for a long time so can't really comment.

My favourite acrylics are the Hannants Xtracrylic range but I mainly airbrush these. When I do use a paint brush with Xtracrylic they've worked fine.

I only brush paint Tamiya acrylic paint on smaller items.

[The Dangerous Elk]

To brush them effectively you could add a setting extender. A small and cheap airbrush is better however for any large area.

[blueST]

I’ll have a look at Xtracrylic or a setting extender then.

Airbrush is not really an option, I have no experience of them, and I dont build enough to get used to using them.

[The Dangerous Elk]

VERY good brushes are the key and 3/4 coats over a good fine primer with extended drying time between applications. Keep your fingers OFF any surface as well.

[blueST]

I’m lucky that my Father in law is an artist and has given me plants of good brushes over the years.

Out of interest, is it ok to paint enamel over acrylic?

[Eric Mc]

Don't be afraid of airbrushes. We all have to start sometime.

They've never been cheaper in real terms.

[The Dangerous Elk]

blueST said:

I’m lucky that my Father in law is an artist and has given me plants of good brushes over the years.

Out of interest, is it ok to paint enamel over acrylic?

No, the enamel will damage/lift the acrylic.

Agree on the "try the airbush" advice. You can use bottles or even a spare tyre (inflated to high(ish) pressure for an air supply, but get a pressure regulator as the common error is using WAY to much pressure through the brush.

[dr_gn]

Get some Vallejo Model Colour - it is intended for brush painting. Thin it slightly with Vallejo thinner medium, and add a drop of Vallejo retarder medium. You’ll need 2 or 3 thin coats, flash off with a hairdryer after each coat. Apply over a thin layer of Tamiya fine surface primer, using the best quality flat brush you can find.

Tamiya works almost as well using the above, but I’d forget Humbrol (or Revell Aqua), both hopeless in my experience.

I always airbrush acrylics, but my 10 year old brush paints, and the above method we find gives excellent flat results. This is his Albatros completed last week:





It did have W&N Matt varnish airbrushed as a final coat, but this can also be thinned with water and brushed.

What colour scheme is it? I have references for a few WW2 schemes when using Vallejo paints.

[Tempest_5]

Always use Tamiya ones myself with no desire to find something else.

[Prolex-UK]

I add a drop of tamiya thinners to my tamiya paints.

Mainly use vallejo tho