Reviewing Every Miniature Painting Product I Used in 2024

[@jeffreydieterle2399]

Being able to reuse the redgrass wet palette membranes is a point of pride. I paint every day, and I made one last the entire summer. Even got a dedicated retired makeup brush for gently removing paint.

[@VaultBoy13]

I really appreciate that you clearly disclosed how you acquired these products and any factors that might contribute to a bias.

[@billdefranza4927]

Lol I love "i bought this myself" on the hummus paint palette

[@OnisanT]

tip about Tamiya extra thin cement / sprue goo: Tamiya airbrush cleaner is the same chemical and much cheaper by volume. Getting the small bottle may be worth it for the included brush, but for sprue goo or for re-filling, I recommend the airbrush cleaner. It is mostly acetone.

[@Nateb121]

It goes from a 50/50 mix in the cement to a 49/51 mix of the same stuff for the cleaner. This is the real life protip.

[@name20411]

there's also mr plastic cement or something; also comes with a brush, and tamiya regular plastic cement, both of which are thicker; either way I fucking love having a brush applicator rather than a nozzle.. much easier to control!

[@MagisterMagnificum]

I use the reusable papers for my Painter v2 more than ten times each and I think they are great. I have the luxury of a large laundry room sink near my painting station so it's real easy to wash them off, especially if you don't let the paint dry (but it will still come of with some light rubbing, I just use my fingers).

[@imrandy85]

The exemplar wet palettes from Game Envy are another great option.

[@Bluecho4]

As someone whose fanfiction turned from "I can knock this out in a few months" to "it's been an entire year and I'm nowhere close to finished", I completely understand and empathize with projects that ballooned beyond their original scope.

[@mrgunn2726]

Dana, every time you say squaaare spaaace, I feel ready for subliminal suggestions, I want to set up a site, but I have no need for one. When is Square Space going to make you the official voice of their products?

[@Brighton24601]

Agreed, during the mid-video ad read, there’s a long stare and pause after “domaaaaaaain…”. Next thing I know, the words “ecapS erauqS” are written across my walls and every screen in the home has Dana’s website up. I have no memory of this…

[@HuntersOA]

I used one of the RG papers for about a year and for like 400-500h of painting. It was stained all over and started to be "crunchy" when I changed it. But it worked "fine" though it tended to let "too much" water through by the end. Recently switched to a new sheet, and it does not water down my paint as much. So there is something to changing the paper every now-and-then. But it can be re-used for a long-long time

[@Baffers21]

Great video as usual, I've been meaning to make some sprue goo. Only thing i would being considerate of the eco-friendliness of some suggestions. If all your subscribers buy 500 'disposable' cups thats a hell of a lot of cups going to landfill. Just a thought :)

[@mrgunn2726]

Hummus lid! I love it, eat healthy, help the environment, save money; winner, winner, chicken dinner. Great video Dana, love review transparency, keep up the great work!

[@aartadventure]

I think we can all agree that humus is the sleeper hit MVP of this year in hobbying and painting. Happy holidays fellow humus devotees!

[@maineqat]

For the Testors non-toxic plastic cement (which I also use), I highly recommend the Testors Precision Gluing Tips. They just slip right on the end of the tube. I don't even take them off if I'm leaving the tube on my work desk, I just slip the white cap over the end of the tip. I make sprue goo using the Testors non-toxic, but I do it on demand - I have the plastic shavings left over, or shave some more from a sprue. I put some Testors cement on the seam, and then sprinkle the plastic shavings over. Then tap them off, finally using my tools, pack the shavings down into the glue and wipe away the rest. However, I often don't need to do this - using the Citadel mould line remover (particularly the rounded tip) I can actually close up most of them up by scraping at an angle across the ago several times, then scraping at the same angle.

[@dwarrenmsp]

I'd love to see you review the Harder & Steenbeck ULTRA 2024. It's an "introductory" airbrush, but it seems like it has the chops to go further.

[@tiddles4x4]

The little growl at the end of "Domain" made me go weak at the knees 😍. Fantastic video and I totally agree on the Redgrass wet pallet. I love my Painter Lite one. I have also recently go some Sable brushed from a local art store to compare to synthetic.

[@anthonywaggett9317]

Love these end of year round ups. My 3 best hobby buys this year - Tattoo wash bottle, helps with cleaning the airbrush etc; De-ionised water less than £1 ($1.20 US or $1.80 Can at time of writing) for 2.5 litre and has stopped the mouldy wet pallet problem; Regina Blitz paper towel a 3 roll pack will last a year of hobby use which includes cleaning up spills and at Asda in the UK regularly on offer for under £5 - strange thing to recommend but thick big sheets so doesn't break up. All together these 3 things cost less than £10.

[@SpikeyLudo]

That paper towel really is great

[@imienazvvisko]

Those "sillicone palettes every painter talk about" are stress relief toys :p my kids get lot of them in kindergarden And for budget wet palette: i love my GSW palette.

[@TheRunningLeopard]

To bring up another kind of wet palette. I backed the Game Envy kickstarter earlier this year to gain a second palette and I really don't regret it, I enjoy the standard size and the storage container to put brushes and a small dry palette is really nice.

[@chucklamb3496]

Thanx Dana, nice seeing you again.

[@Samsminis]

I know you’re in the Toronto suburbs, but as someone in the Vancouver suburbs, I loved the redgrass XL wet palette… until I realized nobody in the area sells or stocks the sponge or paper reliably. I made the switch to that new large AP one, and the main advantage (as they’re similar size) is that AP products are just more commonly stocked in hobby shops, and it’s easy for me to resupply. That middle plastic piece is fine. I wish it WAS silicone so I could pop out dry paint and clean it more easily.

[@QuintMorrison6]

I primarily use a Narwal pop it I got from 5 Below as a pallet I got as soon as Uncle Aaron mentioned it in his video. It’s the only pallet I’ve used since. Even for Acrylics, it’s fantastic.

[@AislynAlder]

Hey Dana, I just picked up the GSI-Creos/Mr. Hobby PS-270 0.2mm (same body and swappable to 0.3mm PS-289. Highly recommended. It was $70 and performs beautifully. Might be a good idea for an airbrush review. Shoots as well as my Iwata for half the price. Really, really impressed. Good video otherwise and thanks for always being transparent about affiliates and folks that give you swag. Happy holidays!

[@redrooster7371]

This was indeed very helpful. I really need a better light for mobile painting. So I'll happy wait for the Redgrass kickstarter. This could be exactly what I need.

[@MrGameSecrets]

Loctite gel and loctite liquid are the two best glued imo

[@mzaite]

Agree, not cheap per mL, but best of the stuff I've used this year. With Bob Smith right with it.

[@cassthenerd6023]

I actually really like the Game Envy Exemplar wet pallette, for 35 bucks its got lots of features, seals well, about the same size as the red grass equivalent and it keeps my paints good for a few days sometimes.

[@Mystrich]

Regarding Sprue Goo, I've also found it incredibly helpful for some daintier models where even with plastic glue, I can't get the milimeter thin wrist to stick to the virtually non-existent contact point some minis like Malifaux or a handful of Marvel miniatures want to rely on. Just giving it that tiny bit of extra thickness that makes it weight bearing.

[@hogs0war]

Thanks for showing the products and the in depth reviews of them and your experience on them, it does help when I think about buying something I have no hands on experience with. I'm also happy your're CDN so you make those subtle but useful changes in mentioning the currency prices are actually in. Enjoy the holidays and take care.

[@domjack8545]

Nice video. Thanks for the honest reviews.

[@billys8476]

I am VERY interested in painting portably. Definitely a video I look forward to.

[@nBasedAce]

I really loved your video on how expensive miniatures can be! I saw a box of Warhammer figures, 23 for 250 dollars, that I thought was ridiculous but after watching your video I know that things aren't as simple as looking at the price.❤😊

[@HandsWithLegs]

If you want a good alternative to the other wet palettes, I really love the Game Envy Examplar. Good features, looks good, and great price

[@karstedt9987]

As someone living out of a suitcase, looking forward to the portable products.

[@kuro5hin08]

The Exemplar Wet Palette is another great wet palette. They're paper is on par with Redgrass Gen 1 paper

[@Brighton24601]

Not sure where you’re from, but keeping a plastic food container and using it for other stuff is the most Midwest US thing I’ve seen in a while. If you used a Country Crock container, I’d start to think we were related.

[@Alex_seakeeper]

super video!!! Thancks!!!

[@gifforam190]

if you do end up getting a second airbrush; I started out with a cheapo one from amazon that came with a compressor. Eventually bought the new Harder & Steenbeck Ultra 2024 and it's akin to me using my wife's fancy chef knives vs my mother's old cheap walmart set. The Ultra is absolutely AMAZING compared to the cheap Amazon buy

[@rynsithis9188]

Hey man, no one is knocking anyone for using an Amazon airbrush. I'm using one now but plan on getting an Ultra.

[@BozarthPrime]

Honestly, I kind of like that that army painter pallet is not air tight. I have accidentally forgotten to crack my redgrass one enough when I was done and came back a few weeks later to mold 😢

[@sourcedecay]

I tried Gorilla gel last year on model and it didn't have a solid bond after 3 days so I tossed it, got some loctite, and I'm good. I use super thin 98% of the time anyway, but a bit of superglue is nice to have around.

[@the_Mike_d]

I'm also a huge fan of the Gorilla Glue Gel, especially in the precision dispenser. Because it keeps the air out, a bottle can last me over a month after opening. I had been using Tamiya white bottle (regular?) for a long time and just started using the thin (green) formulation a few months ago. It's great for flowing into tiny seams and cracks after something has already been cemented. I'm also thinking about experimenting with Sprue Goo this coming year - opinions seem really divided, but it looks to be a fantastic gap filler.

[@jamesn2830]

Future review- Detail airbrush: GSI creos PS771. It’s kinda famous in the airbrushing community for being a top end detail airbrush that is a fraction of the cost of something like an iwata micron but paints just as good and is still made from top end quality parts.

[@joshbecka6110]

Where do you get those copper discs with the leaves on them? Those look cool

[@nicbriar884]

On the topic of superglue, I figure I can speak a little bit. Since I've mostly worked with metal models, and have done a bunch of testing different types for the sake of settling discussions/disagreements with others. Gel superglue is 100% my standard go to for basic "create strong bond of X to Y". Very much stronger than thinner types. However, it is worth noting that it's actually SLOWER to dry. Rather than quicker. But it's a stronger bond overall. And if you have a big gap, it does indeed work well to fill in large gaps. Worth throwing in as a footnote as well, I figure most might know this, but just in case. Gel superglue likes to have a bit of... grit to dig into, for lack of a better term. Doesn't matter for Siocast, but for metal, I've found that kind of lightly scoring a crosshatch pattern into contacting surfaces with an exacto knife (Or whatever kind of hobby knife one has) helps to get a stronger bond. That being said, I do still use thin liquid superglue for some more niche applications. I know people tend to go for greenstuff for gap filling. But I've found that, with a thin superglue and a needle applicator add on, thin superglue can be a great way to get tricky/tiny gaps filled. Since the glue is so thin, it tends to run to fill the gap pretty well. And a light sprinkle of baking soda over it as an accelerator hardens the filled in gap very nicely. Gel is great, but it's thick enough that sometimes working it into tight spots without messing up a model might not be feasible. So yeah. Gel superglue = core bonding glue. Liquid superglue = small gap filler and reinforcing tricky spots.

[@roberthaines6480]

You’re mad not re-using the membrane papers. Takes a minute to wash the paint off when I’m cleaning out my water pot and it’s good as new 🙃

[@Hero1117a]

Thank you, very informative

[@jc7997aj]

Maybe we could get Squidmare to hook you up with some of his HandS models. Also if you'd like a good trigger (pistol) type airbrush for larger models or terrain Id highly reccommend the Black Widow. Comes from Harbkr Freight paid about 80$ for mine. Well worth it for the price and comes with .3 and .5 mm needles. ProTip: you can have the equivalent of spruegoo with UV resin if you're into 3d printing. Great gap filler.

[@Valandar2]

That servo-skull is thirteen times more expensive than the 36-compartment "foot" popper I got at 5 below...

[@gabrielmccray3457]

Please sell hummus lids or hummus on your website. That would be funny.

[@billdefranza4927]

If you ever do an April fools video, might i suggest you bang though the word "Squarespace" as fast as you can, just to confuse people. 😂

[@BobKnarly]

Dana about to break 100k!!

[@brianhall4182]

I far prefer Loctite Gel over Gorilla Gel. The Gorilla stuff continually gums up the nozzle and dries in the bottle before I even get to use half of it. The Loctite Gel comes in a side-squeeze bottle, has never gummed up, and it feels like I can squeeze out every last drop. Though it does come with less in the bottle.

[@Illindi]

Actually, I do like the way you have split it up. And for once, a portable section. I have been 3D printing paint holders for that very reason.

[@sethcooper5197]

Great video as always, but I have to ask, whats that D&D box set next to the warhammer box? I don't recognize it and I try to pride myself on that. It looks like a 3/3.5 era so early 2000s but googling is failing me.

[@DanaHowl]

Ah yes!! It’s the starter box for 3rd edition, came out alongside, or maybe a month before the players handbook! Highly recommend it if you can find it, it’s a nostalgic favourite of mine! EDIT: Oh I see the box you are referring to, that's actually the starter box for D&D Chainmail, a defunct D&D minis game from 2001!

[@CappuchinoCat]

If you get a chance, test the Gaahlageris airbrushes. They have two different types and I am very interrested in them :)

[@TheAlkhemiaStudio]

For airbrushes i would like to see some ghaleeri and know your opinion on their durability or clog prone on their special nozzle

[@Dionyzoz]

Faber Castell is german, of course its good

[@PartnersofMachino]

Thumbs up for hummus

[@jammywesty91]

My main takeaway - buy more hummus. Fucken love hummus, oh my days. Great vid too obvs. Hummus tho.

[@QuintMorrison6]

Brushes: “I don’t spend more than $5 on a brush, I just replace them when they get messed up.” Pallets: “I use a $60 wet pallet that has $1 paper that you have to replace every four paint projects.” Yeah, the hobby gets expensive huh 😂

[@MrCai01]

Not a specific airbrush, but i am interested to know what, if any, differences there are between all the available options.

[@tinyfishhobby3138]

The most basic answer is: the machining on all the parts, basically. More expensive airbrushes will have parts and pieces that fit together much better than cheaper ones, which in the end leads to less frustration because when using the tool you'll have far fewer instances of paint ending up where it shouldn't, for example.

[@greghorne3087]

Sprue Goo has been a thing since the 1970s.

[@Lamefoureyes]

This is great.

[@maxbrandt6]

Great review of very useful hobby products, now go get yourself some cake!

[@OrakelofDeath]

ca. 6:38 : On the other hand you pay just an Euro for the Silicon Palet all the cool kids talked about. So: Does this realy sound reasonable in any kind?

[@TheRealLachlan]

I looooooooooooooove sqrspc

[@manuelterrazas4951]

😊

[@parallaxgames]

"$60, like a fancy fountain pen." Dana, oh honey. Fountain pens can make GW hobbies look cheap.

[@gregoryhall4062]

Please review some cheaper airbrush kits!