SPA Modeler

I use Tamiya and Mr Hobby (aqueous) acrylics almost exclusively. They are very similar and can be thinned the same way (I use iso alcohol). I also have some older Gunze paints before they got consolidated into the Mr Hobby Aqueous line. I personally have found no difference between the Gunze bottles and the Mr Hobby Aqueous bottles in terms of performance. They clean up fine with iso thinner. Mr Hobby also has a lacquer paint line called Mr Color. Can't use iso alcohol to thin those. I only have Black and that, thinned with Mr Leveling Thinner lays down a beautiful gloss black base.

I wrote an earlier response. It was apparently lost in the shuffle to get from work to lunch! Apologies for being tardy. First let me thank the three of you for taking the time to respond! I’m definitely still working my way through the last cans I stocked before the airbrush (de-canning those is fun), a selection of Mig-Ammo stock, another selection of Humbrol enamel stock, the Tamiya White Primer, a small selection of Gunze lacquers and the Model Master stock (intended for cars, really nice orange!) enamels. So there is a hodgepodge of paints with histories of why’s and wherefore’s just like everybody else has... ahhh, food! To be continued!

I also have thinners specific to the above, and my trusty isopropyl bottle as well.

Specifically to thank everyone in order—Carlos, Thank you so much for advising me about using Humbrol over Model Master. Has MM fallen from favor with all the new blends from AK? Hmm.

Marius—Thank you for your beautiful work and casting your vote for Gunze! Are these acrylics? I love Gunze lacquers. Just so silky smooth, quick to dry and not temperamental when the temp is low.

John—Thank you for your advice on using acrylics and acrylic lacquers and just straight lacquers with thinners! Very informative and comprehensive advice, sir!

This has been a fantastic read so far.

I have been so busy outside of hobby matters that I feel my mojo as you fellas call it (I would simply call it “focus”) slipping. I need that edge to come back right quick. I assembled the fuse again just to see where I am with filling in the vents.

Perfect result Bruce, one layer of paint and you would never know what is underneath!



- Kari

Time away from the bench usually results in one of two things... a break and a return when you feel up to it, or a drive to return ASAP and get more done because the drive is flowing thru you. Don’t force it.

Anytime my friend.

I like that fill work on the vent there.

As to time away and mojo and stuff, I can only speak from my own experience. For me, the balance is delicate. The project captivates me and I go for it, and as long as it’s going according to my vision and I’m deriving joy from doing it, it’s fine, even if work and family keep me from the bench for a few days for whatever reason.

It’s when it becomes, um, contaminated, that’s when it starts to slide for me. I accidentally break something, I miss something silly I should’ve been looking out for, somebody else sees the project physically and interjects advice, stuff like that.

Sometimes I smash them and start over. I’m a temperamental, mercurial, obsessive artist -I woke up no less than five times last night from thinking about the paint scheme I’m doing on my Zero.

The bottom line is- you do you. You work how you work best and go at your own level of intensity and focus. Like acarlos said, don’t force it, and trust your vision- because it’s a good vision, and see it through at your pace.

Thank you, Ken—I sincerely appreciate both your words and your vision of model building ever so much.