Has Anyone Tried the Revell Enamel Paints in Tinlets?

[Miatatom]

Just wondering if anyone has tried this stuff. If so, what do you think of it?

I searched Amazon and it's priced at $9 to $11 per can for 14 ml or 1/2 oz. Hobbylinc's price is really cheap. Looks like you get a good amount for a decent price. Here's a link

https://www.hobbylinc.com/cgi-bin/s8.cgi?search_cat_s=&str_s=Revell+tinlets

[OldNYJim]

I’ve used this!  A model train store near our place in Brooklyn carried this and another brand by the name of Humbrol which looked near identical.

My experience is that it’s SUPER thick and gloopy compared to anything we’re used to for models, but lacquer thinner works great to thin it and it glosses out to a really nice finish when it dries (the gloss colors anyway…the matte ones stay matte).

I suspect this would be most useful for people who like brush painting, and as with all enamels the dry times can be long if you don’t like to thin it with lacquer thinner to speed it up.

If you like enamels, they’re good to work with - but not really any better than say the Testor’s bottles for example - so I wouldn’t personally pay more for this product unless they had a specific color I was looking for.

[GLMFAA1]

Bought some at somewhat local hobby store (60 miles away) last week. I haven't used it yet. 14ml tin was $2.99.

greg

[Doug 1061]

I built this Scout with Revell paint.  I thinned it with enamel reducer an added a couple drops of hardener.  It laid down nice and polishes up nice.  I wouldn't say its any better than Testors, but so far this is the only body I have done.   I believe their spray cans are acrylic,  I have only tried the steel and aluminum in the sprays.  They work well, fast dry and seems to be a durable finish.   Enamels in tinlets brush well if thinned a bit.   

 

[NOBLNG]

6 hours ago, Doug 1061 said:

I built this Scout with Revell paint.

Beautiful job on that Scout Doug! ?

[dragstk]

I tried a few of the colors, but I wasn't to impressed. It is quite thick. But for me in the tin itself. Its a pain to open and not bend the lip and once the channel the lid fits in gets paint in it, then they are harder to close. I don't think Ill be changing over to these any time soon

[Dave G.]

( edit: I realized I posted mis information in this message, just ignore this post)

I never liked Humbrols tins ( not the paint but the containers, the paint is fine), makes one like myself wonder why Testors would bother with the same clunky thing. just bring back Model Master bottles.

Edited February 16, 2023 by Dave G.

[peteski]

1 hour ago, Dave G. said:

I never liked Humbrols tins ( not the paint but the containers, the paint is fine), makes one like myself wonder why Testors would bother with the same clunky thing. just bring back Model Master bottles.

That's just wishful thinking since Testors/Rustoleum/RPM seem to be trimming (not expanding) the line of hobby paints.  Fortunately other companies are stepping up with new lines of paints.  Also, the paint being discussed here in unrelated to Testors - it is Revell (of Germany) paint.

I have used Humbrol paints living in Poland back in the '70s, and I don't recall having problems with the tinlets.

Revell also makes a line of paints packages in plastic cubes.

[Dave G.]

8 hours ago, peteski said:

That's just wishful thinking since Testors/Rustoleum/RPM seem to be trimming (not expanding) the line of hobby paints.  Fortunately other companies are stepping up with new lines of paints.  Also, the paint being discussed here in unrelated to Testors - it is Revell (of Germany) paint.

I have used Humbrol paints living in Poland back in the '70s, and I don't recall having problems with the tinlets.

Revell also makes a line of paints packages in plastic cubes.

Thanks for pointing that out Pete, my senior mind registered the OP as Testors, clearly it says Revell !!  Also in thinking this over, when I used Humbrol years ago I poured the paint or else brushed it from the tin, today I would use a pipette. But talk about clunky I mostly decant enamels these days for airbrushing. I'll post an edit to my last message, thanks again.

[Deathgoblin]

I use their acrylics and they work well.  I rate them much better than the Testors Acryl line.

[Monty]

Here's a review of the Revell enamels as well as a solution for those who dislike the Revell and Humbrol tinlets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSXDT8epVhE&t=1456s

 

 

 

[Miatatom]

On 2/17/2023 at 10:07 PM, Monty said:

Here's a review of the Revell enamels as well as a solution for those who dislike the Revell and Humbrol tinlets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSXDT8epVhE&t=1456s

Barbatos Rex seems to like them. He always sprays spoons. I'm curious how well they would work spraying model car bodies, which aren't as easy as spraying a spoon. He bought bottles to transfer the paint into since the lids are terrible.

Edited February 21, 2023 by Miatatom

[Monty]

19 hours ago, Miatatom said:

Barbatos Rex seems to like them. He always sprays spoons. I'm curious how well they would work spraying model car bodies, which aren't as easy as spraying a spoon. He bought bottles to transfer the paint into since the lids are terrible.

I assume the spoons are an economical alternative to trying to scrounge up new kit bodies for the dozens of tests he does every year.  To that end, I also assume the spoons lend a level of uniformity to these tests.  In addition, the roundness of the spoons may give a better idea of paint coverage than a flat piece of plastic. 

He's pretty straightforward in his reviews; I recall one test where he basically said he couldn't justify spending the money for Tamiya's $20.00 can of gold spray paint, given the slight difference in hue between it and their regular gold, so if he says the Revell paints are good, I'd take that to the bank.  

OTOH, while I don't mind the Revell and Humbrol tinlets, he obviously hates them, as is evidenced by the mangled lids.  His solution, which admittedly would take a bit of effort, kinda makes sense for those of us who grew up with Pactra and Testors jars.  

[1972coronet]

Last time that I'd used a tin-container line of paints was the c.1985 - c.1987 Monogram-Humbrol line. At that time, I liked the paints themselves, but wasn't a fan of those patience-trying tins --- especially those obnoxious, tedious lids.

I also tried their aerosol offerings: too expensive for the comparatively-small contents vs. Testors (I don't recall having seen Tamiya's aerosols back then). However, the paint provided a nice, smooth, glossy finish. 

Perhaps if the tins/metals paint containers were equipped with a screw-on lid, I'd consider them. The metal container its self is a good idea in theory: no chance of sunlight or electric lighting having an effect on the contents vs. glass/plastic containers and their affinity for attracting and amplifying incoming light, leading to premature drying-out. 

Edited February 22, 2023 by 1972coronet

[PowerPlant]

Talk about overpriced on Amazon ?‍♂️ Normal price is between 2.50 and 3 eur. 

These paints have been around in Europe since I can remember (30 years at least), and they are very thick because they are designed for thinning before use. Once thinned, they can be airbrushed without any problems, and I like the effect they have once dry. They are enamels and there are three different grades of paint - gloss, SM (semigloss or seidenmatt in German), and matte. I find the SM colors great for interior leather/vinyl look. 

[charlie8575]

I have a couple, and will be trying them. From what I've heard, they need to stirred quite a bit, but will brush nicely.

The spray cans are similar to Tamiya lacquer by scent. I've used the flat light grey for an interior, and it covered nicely and dried quickly. They do come out fast though, so you have to work quickly to avoid flooding.

Humbrol, from what I understand, used to make RoG's paints, hence the cans, but they've moved to their own formula. I have been advised to be very careful with anything not their thinner, as some people have had trouble, although as evidenced by the forgoing comments, that might not be the case with everyone. The base is similar to lighter fluid (!), so it's not traditional enamel in that respect, although if automotive reducer works, it might be safe. I have a bottle of their thinner to play it safe.

Charlie Larkin

[Monty]

7 minutes ago, charlie8575 said:

The base is similar to lighter fluid (!), so it's not traditional enamel in that respect, although if automotive reducer works, it might be safe. I have a bottle of their thinner to play it safe.

Charlie Larkin

If you check out the video I posted above, the presenter used Mr Color Leveling Thinner to prep the Revell paints for airbrushing.  I've seen enough of his videos to know that he  really likes the stuff and has mentioned that it is a great substitute if you aren't able to find the reducer he sells with his personal line of paints.