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Hi guys, I want to pick your brains about preferences over Vallejo airbrush stuff.
Model Expo Online is having a sale on Vallejo paints, particularly the Vallejo 72-pc. Model Air Basic Colors Set. I love VJ model colors and have that set already, and have been using the VJ airbrush thinner and lube to paint with them. At 150$ for the 72 paint set though, the Air Basic color set is looking pretty tempting (even at 2.50$ a bottle it is pretty decent for paint.) Is there a good reason to buy it though instead of just using VJ Model Color mixed with their thinner? Anyone have any preferences?

tl;dr : Is there a compelling reason I could explain to my wife about why I need to spend 150$ on new airbrush paints, without going red in the face from just straight up lying?

Model color + thinner (in one of the larger sizes) is way, way, cheaper.

But... Model air is premixed, very consistent and ver convenient. Of you aren't painting anything big, and especially if you use an airbrush to paint fine details or effects (say OSL, NMM, highlights), Air is a great solution, because most of the time you just need a few drops, and it's hard to mix 2 drops of paint in the cup.

On the other hand, if you're doing terrain, you'll swallow up model air like no tomorrow.

Hey.

I really like VMA paints and use them whenever I can, whether through the airbrush or normal brush. Just love the consistency. They flow and layer and blend really well without any additives (though perhaps some medium if I'm after really good blending).

I even plan my colour schemes to suit the range.

Of course it's completely possible just to thin VMC paints (or GW or whatever) for airbrush use, lots of people do it. Done it myself on occasion.

The only thing is when I bought my airbrush I did it primarily to save time putting down base coats and simple zenithal highlights. Really enjoy it and I think my ability continues to improve.

I found that trying to thin paints for the airbrush just makes everything take a bit longer, makes the process a bit messier and leads to fairly inconsistent results (in my experience anyway). For me it just turned it to a hassle and led to frustration.

It's alright if you are pre-mixing a lot for a big batch of models. You can just make up your own pots of thinned paint. But doing it all the time for multiple small bursts of different colours really annoyed me.

Not trying to get you to part with you money or anything, but I really, really like the VMA range.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
And what talys said....

Ahh great, good to know. I might have to flip a coin to make the decision... that price is damned tempting, but I don't use the AB for much other than base coats and zenithal these day.

Thanks guys!

 Wehrkind wrote:
Ahh great, good to know. I might have to flip a coin to make the decision... that price is damned tempting, but I don't use the AB for much other than base coats and zenithal these day.

Thanks guys!

Look away from the deal, and think which would be more versatile for you, then.
New shiny box of everything is exceptionally tempting. But nothing claws at guilt like 2/3 of a paint set you never use.

Well, I already use the other method, and I feel very little guilt over having extra paint so long as it doesn't dry out I love paint.