Tamiya Acrylic Paints?

I have several undecorated N scale cars that need painting. I was wondering if I could hand paint them since I don't have an airbrush and compressor. Do the Tamiya paints "level" well, or will they leave brush strokes?

Anyone know?

Thanks for all comments.

 

Tamiya paints are horrible for brush painting. They are very thin when brushed, although they make some of the best paint when sprayed. If you are brush painting, I suggest the Tru-Color brushable line, or Acrylicos Vallejo paint.

 

Thanks! I just ordered the Tru-Color brushable paints I need.

 

Would love to see the results and if you can post the source that would be great! I am using a rather thick acrylic from a 'wall covering store'. It is great for scenery and will soon be trying it on my rolling stock.

 

Hi Grey One.

I bought the paint direct from Tru-Color. Their number is 714-488-9779. They may still be open today.

 

I also found some Vallejo acrylic paint at a good price on ebay, so I ordered the same two colors (sort of) that I ordered from Tru-Color. I just like to have a backup in case I don't like the Tru-Color.

 

I like Vallejo paint, I think it self-levels pretty well, although they don't make railroad-specific colors. For detail painting or basic colors that don't need a specific match, I think it works well. I used it most recently for painting grab irons on a locomotive. I've been trying to replace Model Master paint with Vallejo, since Testors recently discontinued MM. Craft stores around me carry it, so I don't need to order and ship it like I would Tru-Color.

I think the one downside to Vallejo is that it's a bit thicker than Tru-Color. Brush painting any rolling stock is going to be risky, and finding a paint that covers well, self-levels, and doesn't obscure details should be your goal. Vallejo might soften some details depending on how thick you paint, but the benefit is that is can be stripped off easily if it doesn't work.

 

@Kisatchie and @Mr. Trainiac
Thank you! I'll give them a go.

 

I received two bottles of the Vallejo paint today. I put a tiny drop of (flat) black on some plastic, added about the same small amount of water to thin the paint, and brushed it over a 1 square inch area. There were some brush strokes visible when viewed off to the side, but looking directly at the paint, my eyes couldn't see any. I need to buy some Gloss-Cote to spray on it and see if it helps any.

I'm waiting for the brushable Tru-Color paint to arrive. I'll test it when it comes and report here.

 

If it is going to be gloss I think you will find that it will magnify any imperfections. In painting a car, which I'm more familiar with, you want the body work and primer coats to be perfect. Once you put on the base color and the clear coats any screwups will stand out big time. Most painters that are good don't want you doing the body work and primer as if you didn't do it perfect and they paint the color it is going to make their work look bad and people will say 'who painted' your car (meaning they don't want that person to paint theirs).

If the base coats aren't perfect then a 'dull' coat is going to help some. Also light colors don't show up imperfections to the same degree as dark. If you are painting a car black it had better be 'perfect, perfect, perfect' before a clear gloss coat goes on.

Sumner

 

I don't know... I sprayed some Gloss-Cote over the Vallejo paint and let it dry. The final results look pretty good to me.

 

Good deal. You are the one that counts.

Sumner

 

Testors - bought at a wall covering store have been great for adjusting colors for my scenery.
I'll be trying my freight cars soon.