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Modelling colors - a comparison ...

by Christian Jakl

It is all in the colors (An attempt to clarify the confusion about modeling colors and a comparison of the products of major manufacturers). Who can navigate through the color jungle? The times are gone when one had to purchase the colors offered by the manufacturers of plastic kits and then had to tediously mix the right color tone at home.

Today, upon entering any model shop one is confronted by color displays from many manufacturers. How does one make the right choice with such a varied selection? In this evaluation we shall look at some manufacturers whose products we have used and tested. We are not looking at price here since the differences are negligible. The following criteria were important for us:

Color type:

	Andrea
	Gunze
	Gunze-Metal
	Humbrol
	Life-Color
	Model Master Acryl
	Model Master Enamel
	Model Master Metal
	Revell
	Revell-Aqua
	Tamiya
	Vallejo
	Vallejo-Air

ACRYL or ENAMEL? Different thinners are necessary for each. ENAMELS should be thinned by following manufacturers recommendations while ACRYL colors can be thinned with water, denatured alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol. Bad smelling and dangerous fumes are not major problems with acrylics. We did observe however that when thinned with water, acrylics do not dry as matte as one would wish.

Quality:

Colors that are easily sprayed with an airbrush are sometime difficult to apply with a paintbrush. Enamels lend themselves better to paintbrush application, especially for dry brushing. Naturally there are exceptions. Coarsely ground color pigments make work with an airbrush difficult.

Color palette:

The larger the number of colors by a particular manufacturer the less the chance for having to mix a particular color. The labeling of the various color tones is very important here. Caution is advised here, for the same color tone labeled on the bottle by different manufacturers do not give the same results.

Mixing:

ENAMELS and ACRYLICS cannot be mixed. Problems can also arise when mixing the same color type. GUNZE and TAMIYA colors, both ACRYLICS behave quite differently when mixed. When mixed they have a tendency to become lumpy. REVELL and HUMBROL on the other hand mix quite well. If you paint a model with different color types make sure that the coat has dried thoroughly before applying a different color type.

Bottling:

The amount in the bottle is relative because when using an airbrush the color has to be thinned. The amount available will be determined by the amount the color is thinned down. Glass bottles have the advantage that they can be used again. Their screw tops have the further advantage that the colors have less of a tendency to dry out.

Cleaning:

Most colors can be removed from the airbrush with "Nitro thinner". (A degreasing agent seemingly available only in Europe.) It is a mixture of Acetone and Naphta. LIFE-COLOR can be cleaned out of the airbrush with water or its own specific cleaner. Generally all colors are easy to clean up whether airbrush or paintbrush.

for all colors (except: JPS-Colors) a color-chart is available for download as PDF-File, you will need Acrobat Reader 4.x (or higher) for reading or printing (free):

ANDREA

60 colors available, ACRYLICS, 17ml plastic bottles

ANDREA colors were produced to paint their own figures. Colors for painting of vehicles etc. are not to be found. For figure painting in dioramas they are excellent. Brush application is first class.

	Best colors for brush application
	Can be thinned with water
	Excellent screw cap, makes measuring of paint easy
	Excellent for dry brushing
	Reusable bottle
	No smell
	Airbrush application limited
	Small assortment, aimed at figures of the manufacturer

GUNZE-SANGYO

161 colors available, ACRYLICS, 10ml glass bottles

Many application ready color tones for military aircraft of all nations. Emphasis WW2. Best color for airbrush application. So far no problems have been encountered with GUNZE colors. One word of caution. Some colors are labeled with a W. This W stands for "weathering". Coarse pigments were added to these colors to simulate dirt. This can lead to the clogging up of your airbrush. Another drawback is that many colors come in semi-gloss. This is not necessary if you use future or clear-gloss when applying decals.

	Excellent for airbrush application
	Many applicable color tones, makes mixing unnecessary
	Dry fast
	Can be thinned with alcohol or water
	RLM and FS colors (sadly no RLM72 and 73)
	Glass bottles, reusable
	No smell
	Brush application has limitations
	Hard to find
	Not very good for dry brushing

GUNZE METAL COLOR

6 colors available, ACRYLICS, 23ml glass bottles

Airbrush ready colors that can be buffed. Only six colors are available. The colors do not have to be thinned and can be polished in 24 hours. There are a few problems with lifting. The surface has to be primed or lightly sanded or the color will lift during masking or handling.

	Perfect airbrush application
	good results when polished
	ready to airbrush do not have to be thinned
	Glass bottle is re-useable
	No smell
	Not enough colors
	Brush application difficult
	surface needs to be primed

HUMBROL

151 colors available, ENAMEL, 14ml tin

The largest and oldest manufacturer of colors for model building. Best known brand. The tops of the tins are a drawback. After the second use, the top is hard to close flush and hence the danger of pre-mature drying out becomes a problem. HUMBROL has the most FS colors. This makes the painting of American colors easy.

	Very good for airbrush and brush application
	Very good for dry brushing
	Large selection of colors
	Uniform colors are also considered
	Excellent gloss finishes
	Dry quickly
	Metal tones can be polished
	Easy to find
	Typical enamel odor
	Empty tins not reusable

LIFE-COLOR

155 colors available, ACRYLICS, 22ml plastic bottle

Working with these colors takes a little practice. They behave a little different despite the fact that they are acryl colors. Thinning is possible only with water. Some colors react to alcohol by making the mixture rather thick. When shaken with water they foam. Color chart is necessary since all bottles look the same on the outside (black screw top) Ask for a color chart when you buy. A nice feature is a thickening agent. If a color is too thin then it can be thickened with the use of this agent. A thinning agent is also offered but not necessary.

	Large selection
	Can be thinned with water
	Brushes well
	Plastic bottle can be reused
	Very fine pigmentation, very smooth spray finish
	FS labeled
	No smell
	Thickening agent
	Color assortment not very well organized
	Foaming when shaken
	Long drying time
	Can only be removed with water or its own thinner (and with a ammonia-based household cleaner)

MODEL MASTER ACRYL

173 colors available, ACRYLICS, 15ml glass bottles

Here is a manufacturer that really provides everything. Model Master offers acrylics and enamels and divides them into different categories. There is something for everybody. Whether one chooses to paint ones models with an airbrush or prefers to paint figures with a regular brush, you can find it with Model Master. Paints for cars, ships and fantasy figures are available. Even the often forgotten RLM 72 and 73 of the Luftwaffe are available. There are also FS matched colors available. Primer colors and decal softening solutions are also part of the extensive selection. If you have waited for certain colors to appear then you are in the right palace here. User-friendliness is comparable to Gunze paints. Spray applications provide a smooth even finish. Can also be brush painted.

	Large assortment
	Perfect airbrush application
	Glass bottles are re-useable
	Can be thinned with rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol
	Many flesh tones available
	Not readily available (in Austria)

MODEL MASTER & MODEL MASTER II

122 colors available, ENAMEL, 15ml glass bottles

The smaller number of colors can be explained by the fact that FS colors are offered separately. All important colors can be found here. This is the perfect selection for those who would like to stick with enamels.

	Large assortment
	Perfect airbrush application
	Glass bottles are re-useable
	Typical Enamel smell
	Thinner available only in small quantity bottles
	slow drying time

MODEL MASTER METALIZER

15 colors available, ENAMEL, 15ml glass bottles

Here are colors only for metal coating of outright metal parts. These colors are very thinned down and work very well with airbrush and brush. After they have dried they can be polished with a soft cloth. This increases the glossy quality however. Good, precise assembly and filling and sanding are essential because the thinness of the color will show any imperfections. Drops may develop during airbrushing.

	Perfect airbrush application
	Can be polished
	Glass bottle is re-useable
	Dry quickly
	Although enamels, no noticeable smell
	Does not react very well to the use of turpentine

REVELL

88 colors available, ENAMEL, 14ml tin
46 colors available, ENAMEL, 25ml airbrush color
21 colors available, ENAMEL, 40ml spray cans - not tested

REVELL-Germany emphasizes mixing but is the only manufacturer that offers an airbrush series. The little bottle fits the screw cap of the AZTEK 470 airbrush. The color selection however does not give specific color tones (part. RAL). German Luftwaffe color suggestions are found in instruction sheets but really have to be mixed. Revell products can however be bought on every street corner (in Europe!).

	Very good for brush application
	Very good for dry brushing
	Has its own airbrush series, fits AZTEK 470 screw cap
	Good quality gloss colors for vehicles
	RAL listing
	Airbrush bottles can be reused
	Available everywhere (in Europe)
	Typical enamel smell
	Important colors are missing, requires mixing
	Tins cannot be reused

REVELL AQUA COLOR

36 colors available, ACRYLICS, 18 ml plastic container

The manufacturer advertises under the motto: "waterbased colors with great opacity, (covering quality)" They really meet this standard. REVELL follows the trend, for a healthier and less smelly work environment.Currently ther are only 36 colors and it is entirely possible that with increasing sale of the acrylic colors the production of enamels will decrease and more acrylic colors will become available. The directions call for plain tap water as a thinner. Correct, however the percentage of 20-25% water is only an approximate value.The modeler has to find the correct mix through trial and error. The first tests had very positive results. Whether with brush or airbrush the covering qualities were good and a smooth surface was achieved. It is very important that with metallic and gloss colors an airbrush should be used. These colors are recommended for beginners and children but more advanced modelers can also get very satifactory results. The only criticism I have is that not enough colors are available. I hope that various Luftwaffe colors will be available from Revell , making the mixing of colors unnecessary.

The Revell Aqua Colors for testing were kindly donated by:

MPV - Modellbau Paul Vienna

	Very good colors for brushing and spraying
	Can be thinned with tap water
	No unpleasent smell
	Dry very quickly (3-5 hours)
	Good for drybrushing
	A lot of paint for little money
	A little awkard when opening for the first time
	Plastic container cannot be reused
	Not enough colors available

TAMIYA

81 colors available, ACRYLICS 23ml
78 colors available, ENAMEL, 23ml - not tested
22 colors available, spray cans 100 ml - not tested

Acryl and Enamels are offered in the same color tones. It is too bad that the colors in the spray cans are not also available in bottles. That is why in Tamiya instructions mixing is recommended when it comes to bottles but only the code for spray cans are given. These color tones would be important to have in bottles, for they are all for aircraft color schemes.

	Excellent for airbrush application
	Many color tones for military vehicles
	Dry fast
	Can be thinned with water or alcohol
	Glass bottles can be reused
	No smell
	A few color tones only available in spray cans
	Brush application problematic

VALLEJO Model Color

208 colors available, ACRYLICS, 17 ml plastic bottles

A color assortment that leaves little to wish for. Glazes, thinners, retarders, masking material and metallic colors, it is all there. Figure painters will be overjoyed. It is no coincidence that the bottle shapes bear a strong resemblance to Andrea colors. The colors cover after the first coat. If applied too thickly the colors will appear a bit greasy.(Thinable with Propylene-Glycol)

	Good color for brushing
	Thinning with water
	Practical cap, easy to dispense colors
	Good for dry brushing
	Plastic bottle re-useable
	No smell
	airbrush application problematical

VALLEJO Model Air

96 colors available, ACRYLICS, 17 ml plastic bottles

These colors were designed by Vallejo to be sprayed directly from the bottle. In order to compete with other manufacturers however there is a lack of variety and types of colors. The colors spray easily and dry very smoothly and can be thinned with water. In order to clean the airbrush you can forget Nitro thinner. In order to remove the color you need an ammonia mixture as is found in window cleaners or Propylene-Glycol.

	Perfect airbrush application
	ready to airbrush do not have to be thinned
	Plastic bottle re-useable
	No smell
	Not enough colors yet
	Cannot be used with a brush
	Airbrush cleaning difficult

Conclusion:

On the typical workbench most paint manufacturers will be represented. Some paints for the airbrush others for the paintbrush, some because the other manufacturer does not make it. The qualities of paints in general today are on a high level. Problems that arise are usually not the fault of the manufacturer. Practice makes perfect and the individual works out his own procedures. The only problem that keeps occurring is what to do with the myriad of bottles and tins and how long it takes to find the proper color only to realize that it has dried up or is gone.


	meet the author
	Christian Jakl

	I was born in Vienna in 1971 and now I live in the middle of the mountains in the Tyrol district. I am in marketing and my specialty is graphic design and layout. Ships, planes and automobiles is how it started and now I have taken up aircraft models only. I concentrate on the German and Soviet air force. My favorite mode of display are dioramas in 1/48 scale. Here I can let my imagination run wild and can produce many of parts. Experimentation and the use of new techniques are foremost on my mind. I also combine stock kits with other add on’s and try out new tools. There is always a lot to learn. It is not all that important to me if a detail is no exactly in the right spot; the final product has to look right. If somebody stands in front of my model and is enthused then I did my job right. The only problem I have is the time factor and in this I probably not alone. I wish everybody a lot of fun with this page and hope that critiques and comments are forthcoming.

	Email: jakl.christian@gmx.at

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was last modified on: Feb 25, 2015
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