Cheap paint in starter kits - Airfix

[pjgtech]

I bought a couple of the Lidl / Aldi small and cheap (£7) Airfix kits just before Xmas and they come with their own small tins of paints, but I've read a few times that the paint is horrible. I think its Hunbro / Humbrol (sp?)
Should I just bin those paints and stick with some decent ones?
I will be brushing/sponging, etc to start off so I will not be air brushing (yet).
Cheers

 

[Waspie]

No experience with them but I know one of the guys on here has used them. Evidently it's down to the mixing of the paint.
I have to add, my first attempt at getting back into modelling in March was an Airfix Starter kit with similar plastic paint pots. I never used them. Only because I was gifted a airbrush by a mate so I ordered airbrush specific paints!!

 

[davecov]

As a rule, I never use the paints with Airfix starter sets but a couple of years ago I took part in a Starter Set GB where we HAD to use the paints supplied. I built the Airfix 1/775 Cutty Sark using four paint colours:

Whilst the paints were okay for a little ship, I wouldn't like to try them on anything larger. I do use them occasionally for touching up though.

Dave

 

[Gern]

Ron (spanner570) uses them a lot with no apparent problems. Mind you, he doesn't appear to have problems with anything he uses in his builds - except Mrs Ron always nags him when he's used up all the Weetabix in the pantry!

 

[Ian M]

Rumour has it that the newer starter kits paint are the new Humbrol acrylic paints which are said to be pretty good. Try them before you bin them. Stirring and thinning are required

 

[pjgtech]

Ron (spanner570) uses them a lot with no apparent problems. Mind you, he doesn't appear to have problems with anything he uses in his builds - except Mrs Ron always nags him when he's used up all the Weetabix in the pantry!

Mmm, luv Weekabix here too.....

Rumour has it that the newer starter kits paint are the new Humbrol acrylic paints which are said to be pretty good. Try them before you bin them. Stirring and thinning are required

Cheers will give it a go with one of the cheapo starter kits I have, what sort of ratio do I need for the paint/thinners, 70/30 or more or less?
Cheers

 

[Si Benson]

Ron (spanner570) uses them a lot with no apparent problems. Mind you, he doesn't appear to have problems with anything he uses in his builds - except Mrs Ron always nags him when he's used up all the Weetabix in the pantry!

Ron could paint with the weetabix and knock out a decent job

 

[Jim R]

Give them a go. As Dave said Ron used them with great success. Ron thins them so they go on smoothly but do not cover in a single coat. He puts on two, three or four coats to get the nice smooth, opaque finish he wants.

 

[Waspie]

Cheers will give it a go with one of the cheapo starter kits I have, what sort of ratio do I need for the paint/thinners, 70/30 or more or less?
Cheers

Experimentation is the name of the game. Try, 70/30 and then modify for your needs.

 

[spanner570]

Interesting thread.

Peter, I can't comment on these little pots for spraying, as I only brush paint.
But for the level of workmanship I'm happy with, these 'Starter Kit' paints go on just fine. Even without primer.

As to ratios, I haven't a clue! I just add tap water to the pots, stir and then apply to some test plastic until I get a mix that spreads on smoothly. The first coat is always streaky, but subsequent coats of the same consistency soon cures that nonsense.

Two things to finish with.....

Don't bin them, giz 'em to me!

Lastly, and most important, don't be buying an airbrush, you stick with a brush. Ain't that right boys?!

Yours.
Igor A. Aerystikk

 

[stillp]

I've airbrushed them with some success. The biggest problem with them is those awful plastic pots - I find it best to cut the 'hinge' so the top can be completely removed.
These paints have a bad reputation, but I find it difficult to believe that Humbrol (or whoever) would make a range of bad paints just to go in Airfix starter sets.
Pete

 

[OldWalrus]

I built the Spitfire 1a Starter Kit just before Christmas, it was a 'challenge' build in which you had to use the enclosed glue, paint and brush (no extras allowed except one set of snips).
The paint was OK, all was liquid(ish) and when swirled with water became acceptable, the sky undersides took four coats to look OK, however the brown and green were easier to work with. The black for details was good.
This contrasted with the paints from similar kits used a year or so back, they were unusable and Airfix replaced them with what I assume was the Gen 2 formula commendably quickly.
I think the chief reason for the variable quality is the seal on the pots, simply held on by friction rather than a screw top with some sort of washer/gasket.