Arcus-Hobby

[fubar57]

Anyone ever used these. They are enamel and seem to have been around for about 10 years... Arcus-Hobby
I've only found one short review and the paint seems to be bullet proof

 

[Donivanp]

Looks interesting, but I would rather deal with lacquer smell than enamel paints and thinner.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

A new one on me and we have no in country supplier so would be expensive to purchase.

 

[Donivanp]

A new one on me and we have no in country supplier so would be expensive to purchase.

I've been buying Hataka paints and the only place I find the is from their website in Poland . I would have thought it to expensive also but found shipping rates to the US very reasonable $8/9, and when buying volume it's not bad at all. They had a 50% sale a couple months back and I bought six sets so I gave around $50 including shipping.

 

[fubar57]

Found a couple more reviews

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Metallic

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[fubar57]

Just sent an email inquiring about shipping costs. Paying in U.S. currency will alone kill me

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Same here.

 

[GrauGeist]

Just sent an email inquiring about shipping costs. Paying in U.S. currency will alone kill me

Better USD than Pesos...

 

[rochie]

Better USD than the pound !

 

[fubar57]

Just found out these paints are available in acrylic form, I may have missed that before. Can be thinned with water. Check out the prices, those are Canadian monies....

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They are 10ml bottles vs Vallejo 17ml bottles

 

[GrauGeist]

Just found out these paints are available in acrylic form, I may have missed that before. Can be thinned with water. Check out the prices, those are Canadian monies....

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They are 10ml bottles vs Vallejo 17ml bottles

Geo, what are your thoughts about water-based acrylics versus oil-based enamel as far as color longevity (potential fading) and ease of application.

 

[Donivanp]

Geo, what are your thoughts about water-based acrylics versus oil-based enamel as far as color longevity (potential fading) and ease of application.

I know you asked Geo, but if I may pass my observations.
Ease of application, I find in general acrylics are far the easiest in application and clean up. Water, alcohol makes for quick and easy clean up of airbrush or brush. Enamel paints thinner, smells and spills can cause much damage.

I've not seen any fading over the years with acrylic paints and I always use a primer. I can't recall any issues with enamels either but I have not really used enamels for some time now.

I hope that helps.

Im using Acrylic and Lacquer mostly. I find some acrylic paints do not work well for me, ie I always seem to have issues with Vallejo Olive colors in the airbrush. Other than that love them.

 

[fubar57]

Geo, what are your thoughts about water-based acrylics versus oil-based enamel as far as color longevity (potential fading) and ease of application.

Dave, though I have a few dozen bottles of Model Master Enamel, I've never used them as my spray booth isn't vented outside and I'm not ready to smell up the house....yet. Enamels are hardier and easier to spray apparently. I spray mostly Tamiya, which technically isn't water based. The same for Gunze I believe. Vallejo is water based and I'm using it more and more. A lot of people hate Vallejo but I don't have a problem with it as I believe I have figured out how to use it. It is more fragile than other brands but I clear coat it to protect it. I've got models painted with acrylics that are over 30 years old and if you could see through the dust they look as if the were painted yesterday

 

[GrauGeist]

Thanks for the input, guys - I guess I'm "old school" and go with what I'm used to.

Being here in California, oil-based anything is becoming a thing of the past, so it's a case of adapt or die.

Case in point: they recently outlawed denatured alcohol solvent, however, I discovered I can still get it at Marine supply stores if I ask for "marine stove fuel".

 

[fubar57]

We've got a postal strike looming and once that is over I'm going to contact Arcus about shipping costs

 

[WARSPITER]

I've been using tube acrylics for some time now as they are easy to work with and mix. The other
bonus is the cost. A 75ml tube (2.5 US fl oz) is around $4.80 whereas 10ml of Tamiya acrylic is $3.95.
A colour wheel for mixing is handy too. If trying these make sure you don't get the really cheap ones
($2 to $3) as they are not good. An oil based undercoat is great if using washes as the acrylic doesn't
react with the undercoat.

I don't know how these would go in an airbrush but it's probably worth a try.