Let's Compare Ammo Atom Paint and Review for Armor Modelers

Hey folks! Today we will be testing out these new Atom Acrylic paints from Ammo. We will be testing common colors and techniques and compare the Atom paints to the paints you likely already have at your workbench.
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/ relentlesstorm
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[@andypodmore6721]

A great video. Thanks for posting. I'm just getting back into modelling after40 years, but I am also doing 3D printing and trying to find great content on the painting stages of modelling, Trying to decide on what brand of paints to work with is a whole subject in itself I've found. Got a new subscriber here.

[@relentlesstorm]

Thanks! I totally understand as this hobby has grown so much over the years. When I started modelling I had blue testors glue and the basic testors enamel paints. There's a lot more selection nowadays and it can be overwhelming. These new Atom paints from ammo are really good acrylics if not some of the best but their range is limited. Between these atom acrylics and the AK 3rd gen paints, you can't go wrong. Glad to see you coming back into the hobby!

[@SKmodelbuilding]

Thanks for testing the colors 👍

[@relentlesstorm]

My pleasure 😊

[@panmodelarz]

Great test! 👍

[@relentlesstorm]

Thank you!

[@DonnieDaugherty]

Great comparison Dave! I might have to give those Atom paints a try.

[@relentlesstorm]

Thank Donnie. The wargaming color sets are pretty comprehensive and I'm sure they'll perform as well as the colors I tested. I'm actually looking forward to painting a figure with them myself!

[@stevenisaakcoronadohs4256]

@@relentlesstorm finding it is the problem....

[@MrSuperflowus]

First of all, great video and explanation - I'm absolutely with you on AK 3rd gen being one of the best acrylics on the market. BUT, same as you found, they are troublesome through the airbrush. I came more from a figure painting background and used and still use a lot of them, they are great if not in my taste, the best for brush application. After trying MIG Atom I gotta say I'm really impressed so far. I used AK with the airbrush in my last project and for my Jagdpanther I'm doing next I'll use the ATOM paints. From what I experienced so far they will work way better for scale and armor modelling without the hassle of enamels or lacquer paints. Keep up the great work.

[@relentlesstorm]

Much appreciated. Thank you!

[@KCs_Model_Mayhem]

Appreciate the test Dave. Would like to try the Atom paints, but I have too many other paints on hand at this point.

[@relentlesstorm]

Thanks. It's totally understandable. These sets are very nice but if you've limited space, I'd consider replacing as you use up your older paints. Or move the old paints to a storage box as I am doing. Some of these paints I don't use are going to join the box with my old testors that I won't use.

[@PitstainHobbies]

The Atom paint did well, nice test bud!

[@relentlesstorm]

Thanks Ian. Better than spoons I hope!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good work nice build and lot goode tip in you vids nice paint s you got thanks lee

[@relentlesstorm]

Thanks 👍

[@schmidtmpa]

Great video! I was hoping the Atom paints would be a good replacement for Tamiya and it looks like they are good to go. Thanks!

[@relentlesstorm]

Same here! It also seems that AK's lines are difficult to get so these Atom paints are a great new standard to have at the workbench

[@vasili1207]

i just received the German set there nice bottles, its nice the range is not huge straight out of the gate. with olive drab i never need to buy the colour as its just yellow and black

[@relentlesstorm]

Glad to hear it! Yes, the range isn't huge but to your point, you can easily mix to get different colors and shades. Enjoy!

[@sparker4614]

I got some atom paints about a week ago. I like them but I've had a lot of tip dry. Even using ammo thinner. X20A thinner works good with them but tip dry there too. 🤷‍♂️

[@relentlesstorm]

Interesting. I haven't experienced the tip drying myself yet which is why I was so pleased with the Atom performance.

[@itz_lexiii_]

Usually letting the paint sit for about 10 minutes after adding reducer is recommended to allow it to fully soak into the paint. Disposable mouthwash cups are a great way to make sure your paint is fully mixed before adding it to the paint cup. 5-10% by volume is a good starting point for reduction. How do you like your harder? I only use Iwata brushes so I'm quite curious on how they perform as its one of their partner companies

[@relentlesstorm]

That's a good tip! I have those small mixing cups for mixing but I don't usually mix paint/reducer outside the cup unless it's those Tamiya or AK Real Color paints since they don't have a dropper. I found the issue with the 3rd gen acrylics is that I used alcohol (99% IPA) to clean my airbrush before spraying. I learned the hard way that AK 3rd gen acrylics gum up when they come in contact with the alcohol. I'll have to clean my airbrush with water before using those AK acrylics from now on. As for my Harder, I love it. I'm considering getting an infinity to see how it compares to my AL plus. The nozzle is very easy to remove and clean as there aren't any wrenches needed to remove the nozzle. The fittings are mostly plastic so there's less risk when using solvents to clean the brush. I would definitely recommend for detail brushing like I did on the Tiger camo.

[@FinsburyPhil]

I'm moving to water-based acrylics to avoid the lacquer/alcohol smell, particularly during clean up. The question I have is whether the Atom formula will eventually replace the current Ammo acrylic range - I'm an aircraft modeller so I'd be looking for an accurate range of aircraft colours. I'm using the basic Atom colours for detailed brush painting at the moment and I think they're excellent with good pigmentation.

[@relentlesstorm]

Totally understandable. I should do another test comparing the Atom metallics to the lacquer metallics from A-Stand as I'm not sure if acrylics will be able to replace the smooth shiny finish of lacquers. Ammo does offer two packs for airplane colors, USA modern jets and German luftwaffe, but that is it for now so it is a bit lacking. I've been trying to get my hands on some AK 3rd gen paints for a B17 and a few other planes I have but have been waiting weeks on backorder now. The question now is what to do with all those old Ammo acrylics!

[@FinsburyPhil]

@@relentlesstorm I've brush painted the Atom metallics and they're good too.

[@vladancovic6782]

Hi, nice comparison test you did. I have question: ist true that mig atom paints can be deluded with IPA (isopropyl alcohol) just like tamiya brand paints???

[@relentlesstorm]

That's a good question! I will test it out and include it in a follow-up video where I test some aluminum colors. I will say that I clean my airbrush with IPA and didn't have any issues with the Atom paint clogging like I did with the AK 3rd gen acrylics.

[@relentlesstorm]

So I did do a test on the HTM live stream the other night and you can in-fact thin Atom paints with IPA. It sprayed no different than using Ammo thinner

[@vladancovic6782]

@relentlesstorm sorry I missed your reaction, in the mien time I got couple of bottles and it is true they can be deluded with IPA indeed wohahaha. Buy the way this was last chance for acrylics for me, but I think mig hit a sweet spot with this product. Further more after I sprayed on som plastic with no primer reveal that this paints can be sende as well with no pealing effects.

[@boomerrubble]

Thanks for the tesr Storm! Now what the heck am I going to do with all of the original Ammo paints I own?!!! 🙄

[@relentlesstorm]

You're welcome! I'm thinking the same exact thing actually! I need to make room for these new Atom paints and I'm seriously considering ditching a few old paints.