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Hey all,

Been using GW acrylics ever since I started the hobby, but Vallejo paints seem better in nearly all respects so zat's vhere ze mind vanders to at ze moment. However, they have something like 8 or 9 different paint ranges (Vallejo Model, Vallejo Air Model, Vallejo Gaming, etc.) and I just don't know which one is best suited to humble 40k Orkyworks.

So, in short: which range should I buy from for the purpose of applying paint to 40K plastics?

There isn't anything wrong with GW paint, its one of the best all purpose paints out there. Its two biggest weaknesses are its limited range of color and the pots the paint comes in.

Vallejo solves those two problems, the only negative to Vallejo paint is that its very hard to layer well with it.

As far as the Vallejo ranges go:

Model: Is the orginal line, its also there largest and has their highest pigment count. The downside to this line is that before the model is varnished the paint has a tendancy to rub off.
Game: Pretty much mirrors the GW line, it is thinner in consistancy then Model, but it will adheare better to a model.
Air: Is the thinnest Vallejo line and is made for use in airbrushes.

If your not that experianced of a painted I would suggest either the Vallejo Game line or stick with GW paints.

Catyrpelius wrote:There isn't anything wrong with GW paint, its one of the best all purpose paints out there. Its two biggest weaknesses are its limited range of color and the pots the paint comes in.

Vallejo solves those two problems, the only negative to Vallejo paint is that its very hard to layer well with it.

As far as the Vallejo ranges go:

Model: Is the orginal line, its also there largest and has their highest pigment count. The downside to this line is that before the model is varnished the paint has a tendancy to rub off.
Game: Pretty much mirrors the GW line, it is thinner in consistancy then Model, but it will adheare better to a model.
Air: Is the thinnest Vallejo line and is made for use in airbrushes.

If your not that experianced of a painted I would suggest either the Vallejo Game line or stick with GW paints.

For somebody thats swapping to Vallejo soon, this is quite helpful.

Game line sounds the best, but iv heard people say that the GW foundations and washes top the Vallejo equivalents.

Vallejo paints are excellent. Games Workshop paints are adequate. Don't dismiss pot design as a weakness--GW paints will dry out on you before you finish the pot.

However, Vallejo requires vigorous shaking. It's a pain in the butt.

In my opinion, Vallejo has the superior product in terms of design, selection, and price. Why bother with GW*?

*unless you buy a pot of paint to support the company in order to play there...


Automatically Appended Next Post:

johnscott10

...but iv heard people say GW foundations and washes top the Vallejo equivalents.

Perhaps, that was before Vallejo released their own opaque (foundation) line. Vallejo washes come in their standard eyedropper bottles making for easy calculations of ratios and less waste, the washes themselves are indistinguishable as far as I have seen, from GW's versions. Edge, Vallejo.

In my opinon GW's washes and metallics are the best out there. Other then that I'm a Reaper man.

GW still makes excellent washes. The Vallejo washes are kinda "meh" although they behave more like washes and less like glazes. But I prefer thinning GW washes to make "proper" washes and still have the ability to use them as glaze when I want to.

The Vallejo Opaques are in my opinion not as good as the GW ones. Can't really tell what's the major difference but I find that my GW foundation colors cover better.

Vallejo Model Color is a bit more "realistic" and muted. Game Color is more like the Games Workshop colors in tones/tint.

With that said, I prefer Reaper. They're a bit easier to handle compared to the Vallejo colours (and don't dry as quick). YMMV. Try some colours out before you go buy a complete set.

Les kind of blew my mind by applying Vallejo Model Air metallics with a brush in a painting tut. That was some of the best metal I've seen. You may want to check it out...space wolf, I think.

Ever spill a pot of ink because the lid wouldn't close right? I hate GW pots. Built to fail.

I have heard good things about Reaper.

I've heard that the Vallejo Game Color is formulated to stand up to the rigors of gaming.

I've tried a few and they've been very good. I can't stand GW's paint pots and refuse to buy anymore after an entire Mega Paint Set dried out on me (most never even used).

I am intrigued by Reaper's Master Color set and plan to try that soon. I like the color "Trio" that gives you 3 shades of the same color. PERFECT for those like me who hate mixing paints.

The Vallejo Model Air metallic are great so far. The gold is my favorite. When I compare it to vallejo game color gold, reaper golds and GW golds, they all have WAY too much yellow in them for my taste once they dry. The model air gold looks like the gold ring on my finger. Not to mention it flows really nice with a brush straight out the dropper.

Well given what iv heard, and not just this thread, it seems the base colours are what Vallejo do are better than GWs but everything else GW does better.

Myrthe wrote:I've heard that the Vallejo Game Color is formulated to stand up to the rigors of gaming.

I've tried a few and they've been very good. I can't stand GW's paint pots and refuse to buy anymore after an entire Mega Paint Set dried out on me (most never even used).

I am intrigued by Reaper's Master Color set and plan to try that soon. I like the color "Trio" that gives you 3 shades of the same color. PERFECT for those like me who hate mixing paints.

Reaper is a different beast all together... I would only recommend Reaper paint to advancedish painters who layer instead of blend.

Myrthe wrote:I am intrigued by Reaper's Master Color set and plan to try that soon. I like the color "Trio" that gives you 3 shades of the same color. PERFECT for those like me who hate mixing paints.

As said. Different beast. I'd definitely try some of them out (buy a trio or two) before shelling out for a complete set. They behave in a different way than "the usual acrylics". I like them because you can move the paint around a little more before it dries/get lumpy. With some retarder+flowaid you can do some pretty nice blending with them. Although some - according to the reviews I've read/watched - hate them.

I use;

GW
Vallejo model air - for airbrushing, but can paint them on.
Vallejo game color - for gaming, thinner paints.
Vallejo model - for painting on models, slightly thicker
reaper master series. - excellent paints

Buy some, try them, see what you think.
A bottle is <$3

Personally, I love reaper and vallejo.

From my own experience, and from what Vallejo has said... model color and game color are identical, except that Game color has some additives designed to make it more durable. Neither is thicker than the other. Model color has a larger range of available colors.

Both Game and Model color are compatible with airbrushes. Just dilute them 2:1 or 3:1 (that's 2 or 3 parts paint to 1 part water). I also add some slow dry medium, but I don't think it's necessary.

Vallejo paints do not like to be overly diluted. The pigment will separate from the other additives. Any more dilute than 2:1 (as mentioned above) and you're tempting fate.

Catyrpelius wrote:Vallejo solves those two problems, the only negative to Vallejo paint is that its very hard to layer well with it.

I dont not have this problem with them I think they are incredible for this purpose.

Catyrpelius wrote:the only negative to Vallejo paint is that its very hard to layer well with it.

Say what? It's easier to because you can measure out precise amounts of paint, thanks to the dropper bottles, and thin them to an exact ratio because of this.

Vallejo is to opaque to layer easily with without additives. If you think its easy to layer with Vallejo try a paint thats actually ment to be layered like Reaper.