This applies to all you modellers of any genre, but for reference I work with model cars and trucks. I've recently gotten back into the hobby after a couple years' lapse. The downside to this is that model kits and supplies are scarce in my area now. All my kits that I've built recently have been from eBay. The only thing around here being sold is either a snap-kit or those pre-painted, metal body kits.
My main problem is with paints. I have a large amount of Testors enamel right now, but eventually I'll run out. Stores in my area only sell a couple of the basic colours of Testors enamel now, with Testors acrylics being the main thing. Even those aren't much. Now, my experience with acrylics has yielded finishes that are flat, which I don't really want for models. I've noticed that just about every acrylic set comes with clearcoat. Now, one little 7 mL bottle of clearcoat won't last long. However, the advantages to acrylics is easy cleanup, no thinner or varsol or what-have-you needed.
Also, for the most part I've been painting bodies with spray paint. I've been considering buying an airbrush, but I'm not sure if an enamel airbrush would work with acrylics if I decide to switch to them? Thanks a lot guys.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Firstly, all airbrushes work with either acrylic or enamel (just be sure to clean the airbrush throughly and never mix one with the other). For all your supply needs you can go to starshipmodeler.com and use their "where to buy stuf" link to find everything you'll need (I use Squadron.com alot myself). Whatya buildin? If it's starships, I can tell ya who is a good dealer and who to avoid. I live in an apartment, so I prefer Spray (outside of course) to an Airbrush myself (compressors can be noisy and I work on models at night).
Posted by Futurama Guy (Member # 968) on :
He said mostly cars and trucks is what he's building....
....I recently did a '67 GTO, the first model I actually completed in a good 5 or 6 years, and I ended up painting it with a spray can of auto touchup paint for the Pontiac I drive and it surprisingly turned out good...
...don't you have any model shops where you live? Again, I'm not sure where that is, but seems around here every town has one of sorts.
Posted by TheWoozle (Member # 929) on :
I gree with jason 100% You also get good deals and service from http://www.greatmodels.com Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
The only model shop I know of is out in Rothesay, and it deals mostly in model trains, I think. I hail from the Saint John area of NB. SoundEffect might know where to get things around here... Well, in Fredericton anyways.
The airbrush I was thinking of was those simple little Testors ones with the spray can propellant.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I've considered those propellent airbrushes myself...if you try it please let me know what you think.
Check Ebay for loads of really good model deals ans the occasional steal during the off hours. You got a particular kit or scale you're looking for? I could keep an eye out for ya. Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
What I'm really after right now is models of the 1970-79 body style of Ford F-series and Bronco. These kits are extremely hard to find. I was bidding on a 78-79 kit on eBay this week, and winning at $25.01. Then a guy outbid me and has set a high bid.
Oh yeah, I work in 1/24 or 1/25 scale (what's the difference between them? I don't know...)
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