Are Testors Model Master acrylics good for brush-painting details?

[Monty]

I normally paint model bodies in lacquers or enamels, but I wanted to know how well MM acrylics work as brushable detailing paints because I like doing engine bay detailing and I need paints that cover well without multiple layers but which can be easily fixed (washed off) in case of error.

The first time I tried detailing with acrylics, I used Tamiya paints. We can probably all agree that they airbrush well, but brush painting is an exercise in futility.

So, if I've got a cluster of wires & vacuum lines on a firewall, are MM acrylics a good choice for coverage & correctability? I find it's better to solicit multiple opinions than to just jump in blindly, spend a bunch of money, and end up disappointed.

Pics of your work would be appreciated.

[vintagerpm]

In my opinion, the MM acrylics brush much better than the Tamiya. (Tamiya flat black has got to be about the worst paint to brush on.)

[crazyjim]

I don't like any acrylic paint!

[Guest]

I won't use anything but MM's acrylic paints for brush painting details. Brush marks are almost non existent and they flow off of the brush very well.

[Snake45]

My guess is that, like enamels, some colors will brush better than others. The only one I've used so far is the Clear Red, for taillights and rear side marker lights and emblems and such, and I have to say that I've been VERY happy with the results I've gotten with it. Nice stuff!

[Aaronw]

I like MM Acryl, but except for rattle cans I use Acrylics almost exclusively so am used to them. Acrylics take some adjusting to, and they don't all work the same as you found with Tamiya.

Personally my favorite paint for using with a brush is made by Games Workshop. It is marketed towards figure painters and has funny color names but it is great paint.

I don't have many photos showing the use of brush painted acrylics on car stuff as it tends to be interiors, engines et which I don't typically get good photos of, but I brush paint a lot of the aircraft I build.

The body shell was Tamiya rattle can, but the engine compartment is brush painted with acrylics.

The wheels and fog lights were also brush painted.

All of the following was brush painted with Model Master Acryl, Polyscale, or Games Workshop acrylic paints.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Aaronw

[Longbox55]

Personally my favorite paint for using with a brush is made by Games Workshop. It is marketed towards figure painters and has funny color names but it is great paint.

The Citadel line, I like those, too. I've seen them at some Hobbytown USA stores, plus a few hobby shops that have the role playing games in stock like Warhammer 40K. If you cant find them at a hobby shop, look for a gaming store that carries GW games. The line is pretty extensive, and has everything from high pigment base colors (like a primer) to washes, dry brushing paints (very thick), special effects paints (they have a couple of "corrosion" paints I'm going to try), texture paints for bases, and even a brushable version of their Green Stuff putty. They are a little pricey, but well worth it.

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Painting-Modelling?N=102355+4294966611&Nu=product.repositoryId&qty=12&sorting=phl&view=table

[vintagerpm]

Personally my favorite paint for using with a brush is made by Games Workshop. It is marketed towards figure painters and has funny color names but it is great paint.

The acrylic paints from Reaper & Citadel are also excellent for brushing. Again, aimed at miniature gamers and come with funny names.

[Monty]

The Citadel line, I like those, too. I've seen them at some Hobbytown USA stores, plus a few hobby shops that have the role playing games in stock like Warhammer 40K. If you cant find them at a hobby shop, look for a gaming store that carries GW games. The line is pretty extensive, and has everything from high pigment base colors (like a primer) to washes, dry brushing paints (very thick), special effects paints (they have a couple of "corrosion" paints I'm going to try), texture paints for bases, and even a brushable version of their Green Stuff putty. They are a little pricey, but well worth it.

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Painting-Modelling?N=102355+4294966611&Nu=product.repositoryId&qty=12&sorting=phl&view=table

I'd forgotten about Citadel! A couple years ago, Bob Downie did a build-up of a new-ish Mustang and painted part of the dash with a bright silver Citadel paint. Perfect coverage and not a single brushstoke anywhere.