I was in the DFW Metrosprawl the other day, and stopped by Discount Model Trains in Addison to get some supplies. At the paint section, I spotted some paint offered by Badger- it's called Modelflex, and the clerk tells me it's water-soluble. THAT feature I like, as I'm not too keen on the fumes Floquil emits (and yes, I use a paint booth). There was a bottle labeled Frisco Orange, so I shook it up, and to me it looks a bit like the Frisco color after some exposure to the sun. No sweat- I bought it, as well as some other colors for use on my freelance ONERail. Has anyone had any experience with Badger paints, and if so, would you recommend the stuff? TIA
Bob, I use little else. I used to use Pollyscale until I found Modelflex, and now use it almost exclusively. It is great in the airbrush, may be a bit thin for brush painting though. Luckily it is available here in the UK
Modelflex is my choice of paint, for air brushing. As Alan mentioned, not the best stuff to brush paint with though.
I use Modelflex paint. You need an airbrush as it is too thin to use effectively with a brush. Stay cool and run steam.....
I also use modelflex but have found some of the colours are not a perfect match but it is easy to paint and clean
From what I'm reading in the responses, it may not be wise to try & thin this paint out before airbrushing. Or will I be successful in pre-thinning, such as what I do with Floquil (2 parts paint, 1 part Dio-Sol) in using 2 parts paint, 1 part water?
I use Modelflex straight out of the bottle. (The bottle actually fits onto the airbrush feed tube cap)
That's what I thought. Well, my work in the RR room is cut & dried for me this weekend- I'm gonna field-test that Modelflex paint, & report back with my results. Thanks & a tip o' the engineer's cap to all who answered my questions!
I love modelflex, but its colors are not consistent..... Polly Scale is a good, consistent paint. But both are great paints.
Ah, but sometimes colour variations are a good thing I remember seeing lots of different BN greens, UP yellows and Santa Fe yellows during a visit to Tehachapi, etc.
Ooooooooooooooooh....... No fumes you say? Airbrush ready? Why havent I heard of this magic dream paint.
Don't get lulled into complacency. If you get too close to your models while spraying, you'll inhale some of the microscopic paint droplets swirling around. Plastic-coating your lungs is not a good idea.
Kiz makes a great point. Just because the paint is not laden with toxic solvents like Floquil or Scalecoat, doesn't mean you should not use a paint booth or spray outdoors.
Oh, not to fear, gentlemen- I STILL use a spray booth. THat way, the leftover paint droplets hit a filter, and nothing else. It is much easier to work with and clean up after than Floquil paint (and I've used that since 1979). Adequate ventilation and breathing protection (a surgical mask), plus rubber gloves, are always good ideas when painting or using any scenery materials that could be potentially toxic. Safety first, last, and always in the work room!!