Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

What's the difference between Vallejo Game paint and Vallejo Model paint? Can both be used together on models or is Game colour not good for models?

I'm thinking of trying to make a bit of a transition to Vallejo but I don't really know much about it. Really, any useful info or tips you have would be nice.

captain.gordino wrote:What's the difference between Vallejo Game paint and Vallejo Model paint? Can both be used together on models or is Game colour not good for models?

I'm thinking of trying to make a bit of a transition to Vallejo but I don't really know much about it. Really, any useful info or tips you have would be nice.

You can use either (I use both). Game color is meant to adhere to plastics better...but basically it's just a range of colors that Vallejo uses to market GW painters. I've used both for a few years now and had no issues. Both game color and model paint needs to be thinned however and I can't stress how well Vallejo Glaze Medium does in that regard (Plus it extends paint time...so wet blending becomes a great deal easier).

AgeOfEgos wrote:

captain.gordino wrote:What's the difference between Vallejo Game paint and Vallejo Model paint? Can both be used together on models or is Game colour not good for models?

I'm thinking of trying to make a bit of a transition to Vallejo but I don't really know much about it. Really, any useful info or tips you have would be nice.

You can use either (I use both). Game color is meant to adhere to plastics better...but basically it's just a range of colors that Vallejo uses to market GW painters. I've used both for a few years now and had no issues. Both game color and model paint needs to be thinned however and I can't stress how well Vallejo Glaze Medium does in that regard (Plus it extends paint time...so wet blending becomes a great deal easier).

I dont agree with the adhering to plastic part. because we all know its to do with the undercoat, as no one paints directly un unprimed plastic.

as the difference between game paint and model paint? absolutely no difference in quality.

Model paint = original vallejo before its wide spread into game painter.
Game Paint = renamed to match the popular GW colors.
Panzer Aces = again renamed to easier match the correct historical ww2 colors ( commonly for FoW now )

LunaHound wrote:

I dont agree with the adhering to plastic part. because we all know its to do with the undercoat, as no one paints directly un unprimed plastic.

Oh, I bet you do . I've been painting for some time and there are always areas where I miss primer and end up painting on pure plastic (Or very thing primer coverage). To the OP, here is a description from the Vallejo website for Game Colors;

"Game Color is a special selection of waterbased acrylic colours for players and collectors of Miniatures Games (Fantasy Games or other War Games). This compact range has been especially developed to contain all the frequently used colours in fantasy figures, in a formula particulary designed for adherence on plastics and metals, using a new resin of unequalled durability and resistance to scrapes and abrasion."

Model colour, although not alcohol based (the metalics are however), is more in line with tamiya and humbrol range. It's high in pigment and made for display models.

Game colour was brought in as a direct competetor to gw and there designed for more durability i.e. tabletop use.

Cool, thank you. That's good to know.

ageofegos wrote:I can't stress how well Vallejo Glaze Medium does in that regard (Plus it extends paint time...so wet blending becomes a great deal easier).

So do you just add the Glaze to the bottle or do you thin the paint with it on a paint-mixing doodad?

the glaze is for making washes/tints as well and is great

I think I read somewhere that the Game Colors also tend to be brighter and shinier, to go along with the less realistic, more comic book feel of 40K and like minitures games. Same thing with the colors that are available in the various lines. Model Color is more muted tones, with lots of earth tones, camo, and things that go well with military vehicles. Game Color includes things like Bright Hot Pink. I've got both, and they seem to be about the same thing as far as the underlying product goes.

Most of the model color line is thicker than game color. You can paint with game color straight from the bottle, but the model color is too thick and needs some water to get to usable level of thickness.

Both lines are good and I have used them almost exclusively for 4 years now. Really nice selection of colors and nice coverage to boot.