AK Real Colour *Testing* - (lacquer acrylic paint) - review 2019

[@StirlingDuncan]

Good demonstrations. Glad you used a more accurate description of them as acrylic lacquer and I hope that spreads in all the modeling circles.

[@SmallSoldier]

Stirling Duncan Thanks for commenting. I do try and make my tutorials as accurate as I can.👍🏼

[@chzuniga1]

Justo esta el color que necesito en este modelo de pintura (verde zinc para interior aviones ww2) y no estaba seguro como funcionaria y que tipo de diluyente necesitaba...así que tu video estaba justo para resolver mis dudas, muchísimas gracias y super completo tu test de este tipo de pinturas felicitaciones. PD un minuto de silencio por esos kits que dieron sus superficies para el desarrollo de este video je

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it. I'm glad this helped with your decision-making. Yes, many kits have become paint mules. Consider subscribing to my channel if you haven't already done so. Thanks so much!

[@nachjager]

I have used these paints in 'combat' and I can vouch for them for the easy of spraying, levels beautifully and the armor colors look spot on to me.

[@SmallSoldier]

nachjager thanks! I fully agree.

[@franktozier3184]

Good video. Nice to see how it goes on with the Neo. Looks like I have found a secondary paint.

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks! It’s very similar in most ways to Tamiya. I really liked it.

[@ModelNerd]

Really nice review, thanks. I've been thinking of checking these paints out, so it's good to know they work with Tamiya lacquer thinner and mix with their acrylics too.

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks! You’ll like them if your a Tamiya fan.

[@watsoncorbin8060]

I realize I am pretty randomly asking but does anybody know of a good site to watch newly released tv shows online?

[@brucekennedy2735]

Thanks for the great video, very interesting paint.

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks, Bruce. Yes, they performed even better than I expected.

[@PanzergrauModels]

Hi, Scott! Nice in depth review! I never used AK acrylic lacquer myself but I can say I am quite familiar with this breed of paints by using (and reviewing) myself the TCP range. Their behaviour is much the same and they are indeed very strong, well pigmented and resilient paints. Water, Windex, acrylic thinners and weak alcohol disqualify themselves as reducers because the paints are organic solvent based and will give you emulsion. On the other hand, besides MLT I have tested acetone and xylene. With acetone, the finish is a little rougher but it dries virtually instantly. You can touch the surface after you clean the airbrush! With xylene, the result was much glossier and smooth but - beware! - the mix can be very hot. Observing the flashing time is very important in thus latest combo. KUTGW, mate!

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks buddy, yes I’m loving the AK’s range. They have a fantastic variety of military colours and the durability I found was some of the best I’ve worked with. Thanks for your comments it was nice to hear from you again. All the best my friend.🙂

[@TheModelGuy]

I love their Insignia white, it's the perfect off-white. The only issue I had was it lifting with tape so I may need to experiment a bit more.

[@SmallSoldier]

Really...? I burnished the hell out of the tape and used standard masking tape as well on bare plastic and nothing came off. Yeah, I'd do some more tests.

[@vmoney9106]

I bought them for their line of Japanese WW2 aircraft paints. I’ve only used them a few times but they seem to go on well and have a nice sheen. One thing to watch out for is decal softening solution on bare paint can cause the paint to lift. I tried Gunze Mr Mark Softer (10 years old), Tamiya Mark Fit (strong, new) and Micro Sol and the first two removed the paint with a little rubbing. With a coat of Tamiya clear I’ve had no problems with Mark Fit.

[@SmallSoldier]

Do you prime your models?

[@vmoney9106]

Small Soldier I do now, with Gunze , but the test was on unprimed drop tanks.

[@SmallSoldier]

What thinner did you use MLT or TLT?

[@vmoney9106]

Small Soldier MLT. I watched a video of decal solution basically burning through Tamiya clear to AK colour coat and wrecking the paint job, so I was nervous, but all went well (posted the Ki43 Oscar recently on the Rocky Mountain Model Club FB page).

[@brucethemodelnoob]

Great review/test Scott! Totally SMCG-worthy. I’ve never been an AK guy, but this makes me want to give the Real Colours line a try.

[@SmallSoldier]

Haha thanks, Bruce! You should try them I really liked everything about them, to be honest. If you don't mind the smell then you'll love them. And what a great selection of colours as well.

[@ArmourEmpire]

Good video Scott I enjoy using these paints. I'm still trying to get used to the sweet spot for thining them .

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks. What are you trying to do with them? Thinning wise.

[@ArmourEmpire]

@@SmallSoldier found x20 to be good, I have their own thinner which is next on my list, and hear my hobby self levelling works well too, so will give that a try. Do far the kits I have sprayed with ak have turned out reasonably well

[@SmallSoldier]

Hmmm, you must have the original bottles as their new formula won’t mix with any acrylic thinners... at least the ones I tried. Which is weird as Tamiya mixes with AK and you can mix Tamiya paint with x20 but you can’t use it with AK. Very odd.

[@ArmourEmpire]

@@SmallSoldier really odd. Let's hope we don't get in to the same bother as when ammo launched their paint with the orange cap, which them changed to orange etc etc.

[@SmallSoldier]

Exactly.👍🏼

[@konradalexander7561]

I still need to watch the video but im pumped, just bought quite a lot of them for aircraft, nice selection and trying out some of them myself they seemed pretty good. Edit: their flat varnish is more satin

[@SmallSoldier]

Yes, I was thoroughly impressed with this paint. And they do have such a great selection of colours. Yeah I was Meh over they're flat varnish. It was the only real let down.

[@konradalexander7561]

@@SmallSoldier for planes the flat is totally ok but in general it seems that ak can't get their varnishes right, example:glossy varnish which is totall sh*t

[@richardcraig5608]

I bought some of these paints last month at the AMPS show .. I'll be spraying a hard edge scheme with them next week .. I'm interested to see how they stand up to the tape and silly putty ..

[@SmallSoldier]

As you saw in the video, very well. What blew me away the most was that I put the tape on almost right away and used the more aggressive standard masking tape and the paint stayed put... even on bare unwashed plastic. I don't know if I'd trust any other brand to perform like that. You should have no problem.

[@hellsgate1998]

Would you have to use a respirator to paint these indoors? I usually just have my window open when painting tamiya acrylic paints.

[@SmallSoldier]

If you have a spray booth it should extract most fumes. It’s really up to you and if you feel the odour is offensive. I use 2 fans and a respirator occasionally.

[@58hilld]

A very comprehensive test. You have provided us viewers with a great peak at this product. Just curious...have you seen the accompanying Real Color books that go with the paints? They look very nice but pricey.

[@SmallSoldier]

Yes, I’d like the book about the actual colour mixes. Any good book is expensive unfortunately. Thanks for watching and your feedback.🙂👍🏼

[@SmallSoldier]

Yes, I’d like the book about the actual colour mixes. Any good book is expensive unfortunately. Thanks for watching and your feedback.🙂👍🏼

[@thylange]

I have used homebrew thinners with these paints. A mix of water and alcohol + retarder and flow improver , works fine with brush painting. I have also used Braun clean and renew alcohol mix (electric shaver cleaning solution) with good results. You dont need to use lacquer thinner with these paints. Another option for brush painting is to use Tamiya acrylic retarder and it works fantastic. Edit: Vallejo retarder works fine.

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks for the information.,

[@konradalexander7561]

I like them, however on my rlm82, i thought they had mixed up things, it seemed as if the paint was blue from the outside, after opening it it seemed the right green colour tho. No mixing scraping helped to get the blue color of the interior walls of the bottle to mix with the green, only really small amounts did. I noticed they tend to separate a bit but except for that one paint im entirely satisfied ( especially the range of accuracy of colours for lazy people)

[@SmallSoldier]

Hmmm, that's odd. I wonder if that particular bottle was frozen at some point. They're really good paints IMO and i like the fact that they're matching authentic colours as well. They seem vary similar to Tamiya and mix well with their thinners.

[@MottysMilitaryModels]

Hi mate, great video. When I first got my real color I had exactly the same results and here in the u.k it was slotting itself down so they can't say it's environment as yours over that side of the pond is different to ours !!! I have their own thinner and if you can get some. I'm not one for sticking to brands etc for paints as I swear by the Mr leveling thinner with my goto tamiya and I always use it with what I can , and they do work nicely with these however honestly you get some of their own thinner they sorry even better . Hope you and the family are well buddy ?

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks, Steve. Yeah, I thought they were brilliant to use. Very similar to Tamiyas but I think they lay down even nicer and are even smoother in the finish. Everything is going well here. How are you getting along?

[@briansmith9698]

Small Soldier does it have strong odor smell to it? Thought about using it on ukuleles I build and old guitars since acrylic lacquer used on them

[@SmallSoldier]

Depends what your interpretation of strong is. I don’t mind stronger smelling paints but yes it has a stronger odor.

[@VGModelling]

Nice video and testing of AK real color paints! These are nice paints, I thin them with Mr.Leveling thinner, I use it also for Tamiya and Gunze. As lacquer acrylics they can be mixed with Tamiya and Gunze (Mr Hobby-H), you cannot mix them with vinyl acrylics as tested in the video. The bad thing for me is they are almost twice as expensive to my favourite Gunze, in my country, and not reguralry stocked like the latter.

[@SmallSoldier]

Yes, they mix great with any type of lacquer thinner as you saw. Flory models show they mix with all sorts of acrylic thinners even some I tested, He must have some voodoo acrylic thinning techniques that only he can perform. I really liked them and thought they performed really well. I'll add them to my collection for sure.

[@VGModelling]

@@SmallSoldier There was early video on AK channel showing thinning even with water, but this was deleted and replaced with new video ;) . I don't know if the first batch was possible to thin with acrylic thinner and water, but now this is not the case :) Still very nice paints

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks as well!👊👊🙂

[@SmallSoldier]

Yes your right. They did state this in the beginning. I was told by someone else that they changed the formula and have since not recommended the use of water based thinners and paint mixes. I would imagine it was because it weakens the paint and they were probably having issues with proper adhesion. 🙂

[@scottkut6622]

Anybody who drops a Cheech and Chong reference in their video is ok with me! Well done comparo test sir. I have no desire to switch from Tamiya since my experiments with MIG temporally caused me to go blind with exasperation. Again, well done vid. Cheers.

[@SmallSoldier]

Thanks, Scott! Oh yeah such a classic pair of burnouts, love their comedy. Yeah the paints very similar to Tamiya paint they just have a much better selection of military colours. It’s a nice addition to the Tamiya collection.

[@briansonnenfelt7125]

Thanks for the video. I came to it because I'm using AK for the first time, and when I pulled the tape it peeled off. It was rather depressing since it was a complicated making and i really don't want to re-do it, and I wanted to see if you had a similar problem. Since it appears you didn't, I'm assuming I messed something up. It peeled all the way down to the plastic, so I guess it was just a bad prime.

[@SmallSoldier]

Yeah, that’s weird. What primer did you use?

[@briansonnenfelt7125]

@@SmallSoldier Mr. Primer Surfacer 1000

[@SmallSoldier]

What model was it?

[@briansonnenfelt7125]

@@SmallSoldier Hasegawa F/A-18E 1/48 scale. Painting it up for the Maverick Top Gun 2 paint scheme.

[@briansonnenfelt7125]

Its sitting in simple green right now to remove the rest of the paint so I can go at it again tomorrow. I'll lay down another primer coat and hope for the best I guess.

[@isitoppositeday6944]

Wasted 2 bottles of paint thinning them with the "AK Real Colors High Compatability Thinner" it really sucks for this line, of their own paint, and makes it super grainy.

[@SmallSoldier]

I haven’t used they’re thinner so I can’t comment to it’s effectiveness. It worked with what I tested in the video though.

[@SmallSoldier]

What do you guys think of AK's paints and products? I've been impressed so far. Let me know in the comment section below. :) Please consider supporting my channel with a small contribution, you can do so here: www.buymeacoffee.com/SmallSoldier It's like Patreon... but simpler. Thanks

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I was really hoping they could be applied by brush on top of each other because I really like painting hard edged camos with brush... If that were true then they could be also used for chipping, i.e. a German 3-tone camo could be brush-chipped with the Dunkelgelb base. But eh, then again, that's not gonna happen if the paint has to be thinned with lacquer thinner. Well Scott, let's just say you saved me some time and frustration :)

[@SmallSoldier]

Well my pain is your gain... or something like that.😉 I’d have to test them a little more as I never really gave them adequate time to dry. I’ll go over an area again now that it’s been sitting for a week and let you know the results.👍🏼

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

@@SmallSoldier Even if that works... waiting for a week to paint a camouflage is way too long, at least for me. But hey if they are applied with care and in tiny amounts aka as a chipping paint, it could actually work. After all I'm always adding a drop or two of lacquer thinner into Ammo paints for brush chipping.

[@vladancovic5574]

Hi there, just sew the video. Very nice review regarding AK paints. I also have couple of questions. Did u use AK original thinner and if u did does it do better than rest of the thinners like a mr.leving, tamiya and alcohol? When you used alcohol, what kind did you use IPA, cleaning, 96% etc? When y are already on testing can you maybe do some testing with their varnishes plz. Acrylic varnishes from Ak, Mig, Vallejo not so good by my opinion and tamiya and similar products are not available everywhere. Thank you and best regards.

[@wollibar5263]

I do love laquer paints for brushpainting models/figurines but I am very dissapointed with AK´s . Very poor covering, no brilliance at all. As I said these don´t work for me and I wasted a lot of money. Pitty a historic chance missed by the makers. Considered useless for brush painting.

[@SmallSoldier]

Hmmm, I don’t really consider lacquers a brush based paint. I really only use it to airbrush and do small touch ups. I prefer acrylics for brush painting. Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with AK’s products.

[@wollibar5263]

@@SmallSoldier Thank you for your reply. Actually until recently I was thinking the same thing about laquer paints - good for airbrushing large scale models but not very exciting when to be used to brush paint figurines. Than I got this great paints from a small Company Catering for the Model Railway community. I gave them a test and after some unhappy Hours of failing to get it right the penny finally dropped. Brilliant hues attached with one stroke to the model, no visible brushmarks and a beautyfull silky sheen are keeping me happy ever since. Mistery solved on how companies like e.g. King&Country paint their Toy Soldiers. Than AK´s became available where I live and I thought perfect, now I will get all those "Special" Military Colours as well. The Company I use produces 200+ paints RAL-coded therefore no, US, Russian, Japanese or so Colour coded paints. Big mistake! So I have to mix my own. Just unhappy about the cash spent. With a good formulated laquer paint you do not even have to use an airbrush. any longer.

[@SmallSoldier]

There are so many products and they all clamber for our hard-earned dollars and it's upsetting when we 're not satisfied with the product or results.