Apple Barrel acrylics

[smhardesty]

I did a bit of shopping at Walmart yesterday. I found some of the Sharpie pens that guys suggested, both for small parts and for painting the RWLs. I didn't find any of the gel pens, but maybe I didn't look in the right place. I realized when I got home that I didn't go to the office or school supplies section. They might have gel pens there. I only looked in the craft area.

I did, however, find a huge selection of "Apple Barrel" acrylic paints, and in 2 different sized bottles. At this point I have to confess that I know NOTHING about acrylic paints. Never had such things when I was a kid and I've never had a reason to explore them for any other project I've done. What I'd like to know is if these "Apple Barrel" paints are OK to use on models. Walmart had a really huge selection, most of which would be pretty much useless for a model car. I just can't see any possible need for the unreal selection of pastels, but I guess you never know. I noticed they had all the basic colors which I know could be useful on a model. The 2 oz bottle size is priced at 50 cents. Factor in that I wouldn't have to pay shipping and that makes the paints very attractive to me. Link below to the 2 oz bottle size on a different website than Walmart.

So, anybody know anything about this brand? Or can anybody say for sure if the paint would be OK for model work?

 

https://plaidonline.com/apple-barrel-colors-2-oz/5/product.htm

 

[John Pol]

I use some of the folk art paint so far threw the airbrush not sure about brushing them on thou I mix mine with future

[Dodge Driver]

I have tried brush painting with these paints with limited success.

I don't own an airbrush, but I have seen builders get very good results airbrushing these paints.

 

[BigTallDad]

You already have the paint, and plastic spoons are free at the Golden Arches.

Why not try 'em yourself and fill us in on the results?

[Miatatom]

I only use craft acrylics for interior, chassis and suspension parts. Couldn't ever get the hang of producing a nice finish on a body.

[Deathgoblin]

I use acrylics a lot for various things on my cars.  Interiors, dash details, under hood details, you name it.  I use a mix of the craft acrylics, Testor's Acryl line, and the Citadel Miniatures paints. 

[my66s55]

I use Apple Barrel a lot. Brush and spray it. Flat and gloss both. Works well for me. The body on this 40 Ford sedan delivery was Apple Barrel sprayed on and coated with Future..

[misterNNL]

For those so inclined to produce weathering,rust and such these acrylics are absolutely the right choice.I have an arsenal of over 50 colors that get used regularly to produce what is needed.They are cheap are available everywhere plus super easy clean up.I use only brushes for application.I have an airbrush somewhere still in it's original box(mint-boxed?)That opened once a couple decades ago but have never used.

[smhardesty]

Sounds like they will work. That's a great looking 40 Ford. I think I'll pick up at least some of the basic colors and see how I get along brushing smaller parts with them. Thanks for the feedback guys. I appreciate it as usual!

[StevenGuthmiller]

If the Apple Barrel paints are anything like the the Delta Ceramcoat craft acrylics, I use them quite often.

But only for fine detailing with a brush.

I've never tried them through an airbrush, but I have used other acrylics, also with limited success.

I've never had any luck with acrylics for painting bodies.

The Delta acrylics work great for things like grille back grounds & panel lines.

 

Steve

[Gt fan]

I've use them for touching up decals every now and them. If you get a chip or a small crack. They mix well. 

[smhardesty]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to at least try picking up some of the basic colors to use for brushing small parts. It sure is convenient and at 50 cents a bottle a guy can't go too far wrong.

[Edsel-Dan]

I use the White and Red for Tire side walls & Stripes

The ONLY type of paint TO use on Vinyl!!!!

I would love to try one foe a body color, but my Badger 350M is hidden away right now

AND no propel for it either

[GeeBee]

Thinned properly, they airbrush just fine .....

[Skip]

Quality wise the Delta Ceramcoat craft paints are the best then, Folk Art better, Apple Barrel good, the main difference being the amount and fineness of the pigment.  My Mom did craft, tole painting for years, she wouldn't use the Apple Barrel craft acrylics straight out of the bottle, she only used them to mix with better grade acrylics.  When I started using acrylic paints on models I ask her about the Apple Barrel paints and that was what she told me.  Less pigment = less cost which is why they are cheaper.  Don't get me wrong I still use them, just not for stuff,I want to cover in one coat.  Just be careful when you need the coverage without the buildup.

[Miatatom]

Quality wise the Delta Ceramcoat craft paints are the best then, Folk Art better, Apple Barrel good, the main difference being the amount and fineness of the pigment. 

I wonder how the Craft Smart paints from Michaels compare to Delta Ceramcoat, Folk Art and Apple Barrel?

[Belugawrx]

I wonder how the Craft Smart paints from Michaels compare to Delta Ceramcoat, Folk Art and Apple Barrel?

I use the Craft Smart paints from Michaels

Thins well with the testors universal acrylic thinner...and there are at least 200 different colours including metallics....and Cheep

 

 

[jeba]

you should look up Chris Chapman on u tube.  he has lots of how-to vidios using craft paints. everything from glossy to rusting and weathering

[smhardesty]

Great looking truck, Bruce. I really like the wheels & tires you put on it. You mentioned thinning the acrylic. I'm gonna assume you were referring to thinning for spraying. Super job!

 

[Junkman]

you should look up Chris Chapman on u tube.  he has lots of how-to vidios using craft paints. everything from glossy to rusting and weathering

^^
This.

And he is thankfully such a cheapskate, that his tips helped me to reduce my modeling expenses back into sanity.
He even skimps on primer. I use craft acrylics matt white though, at 50p a bottle, which is good for at least ten models.
 

Chris' philosophy is to paint an entire model for under one Dollar and his results are awesome.

[Miatatom]

I use the same airbrush as Chris, tried to imitate his methods and failed every time. Wish I knew more about the different types of craft acrylics. I've bought the cheapest that Michaels carries. Maybe that's the problem. Opinions?

[Junkman]

What happened when you tried?

[Belugawrx]

 Maybe that's the problem. Opinions?

I have also mixed up Craft paint 1/2 and 1/2 with 99% Alcohol and shot with my airbrush at about 20 psi, with the large needle....

Many light coats,...but it leaves all the detail that way,

Let us know how you make out

Edited February 18, 2017 by Belugawrx

[Miatatom]

I always wound up with lots of orange peel. I was shooting with the large #5 tip on a Paasche H at about 30 to 35 psi. I'm thinning with a mixture of 1/3 isopropyl alcohol to 2/3 distilled water with 2 ml of Liquitex Professional Flow-Aid Fluid Medium and  2 ml of Liquitex Professional Slow Dri Blending Medium. I think I may be overthinking it. I'll try some more tests with 50/50 paint/alcohol and lower my pressure.

Do the darker colors of craft acrylics have larger particle sizes than the lighter colors?

[John Pol]

I mix mine with future or windshield fluid 50% put a couple drops of retarder in it so it don`t dry at the tip. And have the preasure at 35PSI no problems