Enamel paint

[John Disdle]

I used Humbrol Enamel paint for modelling years ago, and I do not remember the problem I am having now.
Either plastic kits, or building with plasticard sheet, this paint does not cover very well. I have to use two coats.
I have tried cleaning the plastic with methylated spirit, but there is no difference.
So what am I doing wrong, or is there something better?

[Bandit Mick]

I've had the same problem - reckon they've taken out some of the 'nasty' chemicals, like they have with gloss paint (and now it goes yellow very quickly). I too have had to use at least 2 coats.

[Steve M]

Some colours do seem a bit ‘thin’ these days. I tend to use a suitable primer, either grey, white or red to suit the top colour. Make sure you stir the paint thoroughly - an electric whisk type is a good investment.
I have also moved more towards acrylics rather than enamels these days although I do tend to steer clear of the Humbrol ones as a couple of shades haven’t been quite ‘right’.

[Paul-H]

I must admit to preferring enamel to acrylic, especially in the airbrush and only use Humbrol or Railmatch, I only use a quality enamel thinner rather than just white spirite.

Humbrols have had a few QC issues, like they had the wrong colour in some tins and the Matt tins do neen a lot of mixing, I use the Trumpeter and badger electric mixers. Their new UK made stock with the stick on lid label have so far been trouble free. Likewise Railmatch have been trouble free. In the past I had good results with Revell enamels cut don't have any at the moment.

Not too keen on the Humbrol Acrylics, preferring Vallejo or Andrea, although for airbrushing I also rather like the Mr Color range and Tamiya, the latter is not do good with the hairy stick, although Mr Color are fine, which is odd as they are both of similar formulation, ie spirit based acrylic.

I even get good results with the Decoart range of acrylics sold in my local art shop.

By a long way the worst acrylic paint I have found are the new AMMO range by mig.

Never tried lifecolor paints but they are also said to be very good.

[Walkingthedog]

Modern modelling paints really do need to be applied on a primer.

[Mountain Goat]

I've used my old paints for year's, but now and then I need a new tin. Several months ago, after not having purchased little tins of paint for a while, I bought a tin of light green Humbrol enamel paint and I mixed it (What I thought was a good mix) and it came out a watery liquid with a hint of green. It was very expensive at £2.49 (Or somewhere around that price) a tiny tin. I would guess it needs around 5 coats to look green enough and by that time the paint would just be too thick. I didn't use it as it was not up to the job. Maybe it needs an hour to mix it? Who knows! It is why my last loco was painted blue instead of light green!
I assumed the issue was a one off but from this thread it may not be?
Previous paints I had a different approach, but as what I paint is a larger scale I can get away with it. It is to buy larger tins of exterior paint intended for houses or metal outdoor things. The reason I did this is for economy. I can also use the paint on bicycles, the car and anything else I need to paint, therefore saving myself some money In the long run, and the paint lasts years before I run out. It probably is not the answer for the smaller scales though, but for 7mm narrow gauge its great.

[Malcolm 0-6-0]

I used to use Humbrol enamels but their quality now is patchy. I've pretty much moved over to acrylics and use paint from a variety of makers. Humbrol acrylics are actually quite good as are Tamiya but apart from the livery of stock I find that I am working with a very basic palette of colours mixed to suit the subject and its condition. What I do like about acrylics besides the ease of cleaning brushes etc. is that their quick drying time makes them very suitable for weathering and aging using dry brushing techniques.

[Mountain Goat]

I've not tried acrillics. The only reason that made me choose enamel is that one can use them outdoors, so if in future years I build a line in the garden they should be ok as long as the paint protects the glue.

[John Disdle]

Thank you all for our replies. It would appear Humbrol is not what it was. Acrylic is ok on paper, but I have found it difficult to cover on plastics. Looks like experiment time...

[Steve M]

John, another alternative if you are painting larger areas is to use Halfords spray cans as some car shades match railway colours quite well - for example Rover damask red is a good substitute for LMS crimson lake.

Their primers are definitely worth considering but be careful of mixing paint types that may not be compatible.

On the old forum I believe a list of matching colours was published - if anyone has the info it would be worth reposting here.

The Humbrol spray cans are pretty good as well.