big c1707822593 Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 I have just recently started to get back in to building models, mostly aircraft and i have noticed one problem. Of all the kits i have purchased the ones that either come with pre-packed paints or kits where i have bought the paints needed to finish the builds, i have had problem after problem. The first issue i had was VERY poorly packed paints and glue. One of the tinlets had leaked over all the rest of the items in the package and the glue had leaked as well to the point where i could smell the glue before i even opened the box, thankfully the model was ok but everything else was ruined (brushes, tool kit, etc). All the items were replaced after a lengthy wait but the packing was terrible. The second issue i have had is with the starter kits that have the small plastic tubs of paint. When i went to check the tubs i noticed all 4 were dried up and unusable. Again the paints were replaced but again after a long delay!. Is it not possible to repackage the starter kits in a way where the paints are not stuck on the outer carton and left for months on end and instead when you buy a starter kit the kit is picked along with the paints which should be checked before dispatching. Not everyone has an extensive collection of paints just sitting and needs the paints that come with the kit to finish their models. I found it extremely frustrating and kind of puts me off buying anything other than just kits that don't come with paints and sourcing the paints elsewhere.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feanor Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Ayup Campbell...sorry to hear mate. Sounds like old stock paint if it’s dried up. They do generally take a long time to ‘go off’ but if the air gets in, you’re done. I’m so sorry to hear that it’s spoiled your return to modelling. It’s not always like this. I suggest that if you’re making a new hobby of it, and I hope you are, get some basic colours. Black, white, silver, dark earth and interior cockpit green with the RAF dark green. so that you can just dispense with the pots. Unfortunately the post is overstretched because of online buying. Enjoy your modelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big c1707822593 Posted February 8, 2022 Author Share Posted February 8, 2022 Thanks, i do enjoy model building and i hope to be able at sometime to build up a "go to" kit at some point along with a spray gun kit although the thought of it terrifies me a bit haha. there seems to be so many spray gun kits out there with varying reviews and i don't have the money to spend a fortune on a decent kit and even if i did i'd worry i would make a mess of it and put myself off more!. for now i just brush paint my kits with different rates of success, but i'm happy with them although they won't win any contests haha. I have at the moment got a few tinlets of paint that allow me to buy models without buying the paints needed although i feel a bit robbed when i bought a kit and it said i needed a certain colour, yeah it was the flesh colour and i only needed it to paint the pilots face and hands! so i guess i used 0.00000001% of the tin!. why do Airfix not tell you that you need this colour but its only for a wee bit so you could buy it but it's probably not really needed!. On the plus side i now have enough paint to paint 5000 figures haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonno65 Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 Hi, welcome back to the world of modelling. Likewise sorry to hear of your paint issues.Don't run before you can walk (I am speaking from personal experience here). Just get your confidence back with acrylic paints, thinned with a bit of water , stir with a cocktail stick or drink stirrer. You might want to buy a couple of cans of grey primer first off, as this will give you a nice base to hand brush your thinned pot paints on the model, they will apply more readily and a couple of thin coats at first to retain the moulding detail.Yes - flesh tone - I know what you mean. I have a flesh tone enamel that I bought back in the 80's still going strong, and mix with enamel thinners, to get it to brush on easier.I am no competition winner either but just enjoy making the models, for myself, and I am not a slave to accuracy (yet). As long as you get a buzz from the hobby and a smile on your face you will enjoy it. If you wanted to, and before you make a jump to an airbrush, I used a Revell spray gun bought in hobbycraft and a couple of tins of compressed air from same. Used it for applying base coats or wider coverage of top coats on cars - and that gave me a bit more confidence to purchase a compressor. I'm still using a £20 HS airbrush I bought from ebay about 6 years back and it sprays on lovely. But remember - just do things at your own pace and for your enjoyment. You won't make a mess of it. I've been in a position a couple of times I have just had to reapply a top coat, after varnishing dulled the paint. Quick spray over again - and all is well. You will get a lot better advice than mine from the friendly folk on this forum. There are other forums, but I am not sure I can name them under this forums rules. Great Youtube videos from Airfix and other contributors will get the ideas and techniques flowing. All the best. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big c1707822593 Posted February 9, 2022 Author Share Posted February 9, 2022 yeah i can see from youtube videos acrylic paint is easier to use but when you buy a kit from Airfix they tell you that you need this colour and that colour and when you tick the boxes of the paints you need they supply you with enamel paints instead. they don't seem to give you the option of other paint types. The biggest problem i have is i have a practically non existent supply of model shops near me where i can pop in and look at the supplies i need first hand and get instant advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 when you tick the boxes of the paints you need they supply you with enamel paints instead. they don't seem to give you the option of other paint types. So despite acrylics and enamels being listed separately it's a lottery what you get? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonno65 Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 "when you tick the boxes of the paints you need they supply you with enamel paints instead"-------------------------------------------Ok - I actually have never bought paints from Airfix direct. I tend to go to Hobbycraft or buy online from a well known auction site. You can order online from Hobbycraft too, but from what I can see, they are acrylics only. (which I gather is your preference)Might be better to peruse the shelves as the shops will stock enamels too and you can also have a look at the models (albeit, not many now) whilst you are there.Hoping there is a Hobbycraft near you.All the best. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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