PAINT TAMIYA Acrylic (Scale Models)

A couple tips and tricks aimed at beginners on using Tamiya Acrylic paint with ease.
Similarly to the Testor's video, this is not a "How To" or "Tutorial". I just want to show the average person how easy Testors is to use.
-Become A Patron: / surerockco

[@darren3908]

Good real advice brother. Wish I'd seen this video before I started experimenting with acrylics, Tamiya in particular, after a 55 year hiatus in model building. Those are most the principles I have discovered by trial and error. Good vid.

[@juanzkarloz]

Really good video. Great information. For me a complete noob.Since I discovered that building scale models and what not is a thing I have been interested in making it a hobby. But I havent found good videos giving basic information like this one. Type of paints.. what not do, etc.

[@edwinalicea2981]

Love your tutorials, easy to understand and great tips for beginners and pros alike...

[@marktruman2842]

thank you for the video. Just now getting back into model making and i only ever used testors enamel. the acrylics are all new to me. this helped a lot

[@infamousmaze6870]

Your humor is great, love these tips. Subbed.

[@jonathansteadman7935]

Having been in and out of modelling for about 50 yrs I've always used Humbrol enamel as it was the most common paint in England. Having come back again with an Airfix Hurricane starter set the supplied acrylics had a dried out dark green. Bought a Tamiya acrylic and started to paint, lots of brush strokes showing I searched for a vid on KZbin. Found your very informative guide and am very pleased to say, it's helped me to use the paint correctly. For instance, thought you could wash the brush in water with acrylics, but not Tamiya. So thanks to you I'm back to successfully painting again. 👍

[@statoilbensin2190]

I think its the best to use enamels for brush painting. I have Tamiya's enamels and some Humbrols's and I belive there is less brush strokes with these paints since they have a longer drying time.

[@janmajer865]

Some acrylics are better for spraying only I use a paint brush for acrylics paint very small parts only.Most of my brush painting is done using Humbrol.Revell acrylics are good for brush painting as well.

[@statoilbensin2190]

@@janmajer865 I agree, however I like to use enamels because its easy to remove mistakes.

[@janmajer9195]

@@statoilbensin2190 I agree

[@TerryWilsonModels]

Mixing Tamiya with mr color leveling thinner works awesome...the great thing about tamiya paints is you can mix them with lacquer thinner...it works awesome!!

[@davidlanham5914]

Do you thin with MC Leveling thinner for brush painting and airbrushing? At what ratio do you thin Tamiya?

[@TerryWilsonModels]

@@davidlanham5914 I use lacquer thinner for brush painting. I eyeball the mixture. I use roughly 6 drops of paint to 3 drops of thinner. If it leave brush strokes then I add another drop until it’s thin enough.

[@alanwills6569]

I like your approach very much, your a straight shooter. I just retired so I just got back into the hobby after thirty years and I appreciate the information you offer. So far I've only used testors and tamiya paints for both air and hand brushing so this video was right up my alley. Thank you for the information.

[@robertschorry1052]

VERY informative. I have not used Tamiya acrylic paints before and am about to. Thank you for the great video, packed with info!

[@tcwagsmodelcarshop9373]

Thanks for tips on the Tamiya paint line. I'm starting to use more of it on my builds. TCWAGS

[@KIP_KnowledgeIsPower]

The PERFECT video I was looking for about Tamiya Acrylics, THANK YOU!!!! 😃🙌🏼

[@mkeefe4248]

So I put thinner into something then I just paint and then when I see brush strokes I dip it in the thinner?

[@sebastianorozco9564]

I'm still learning about painting with tamiya paints and this is the video I was looking for. When I opened the paints, they had a strong smell for the chemicals, so I am thinking on buying a filter mask, because I work on a small space and doesn't have proper ventilation and keeping them on a wooden box (because it's fresh) to prevent the chemicals activate with the heat

[@stevenwheaton874]

Great video, I'm just starting to work with acrylics so I'm a little unfamiliar with them. I've used Testors enamel all my life but, I want to start with the acrylics. Thanks for all the tips, a lot of great info.

[@Slouworker]

Tamiya isn't pure acrylic paints, it's a weird mix between acrylic and lacquer

[@wightclaudia]

I’m dying at the editing here. Hilarious. Just built my first ever model T62 so RIP me learning this all at once

[@nmmlo]

Thanks for sharing these useful tips on acrylic. I have used Vallejo with airbrush with excellent results but also would like to try Tamiya with a brush.

[@megawave79]

Can water be used to thin the acrylic paints prior to painting the model?

[@zenoblevinsbigz6665]

Thanks again for the tutorials you do

[@surerockco.models3452]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@jonathanpedros3336]

Can i directly applying this without thinner to model kit?

[@n8sot]

I NEEDED this!!! I was wondering this stuff wouldnt come out of my brushes!!!!!!! Thanks!!

[@janmajer865]

I use Tamiya for spray painting and if left on the shelf for a long time the paint separates from the liquid component and it causes either orange peel or comes out like a goopy mess which sticks out the front of the spray gun.

[@jdrewkelly]

I used Tamiya spray matte black TS-6 on my model and the XF-1 flat black brush on for touch ups and details like the canopy edges, but they don’t match. The XF-1 is slightly duller/flatter. Is it the amount of coats of the XF-1? I only did 1 primer 2 coats on the canopy and of course the rest of the model got a good thick coat of the TS-6 spray. Anyways, have you noticed the difference? Any advice?

[@surerockco.models3452]

XF-1 is flat and will always appear flat until you put an alternate surface like gloss clear over it. To do an exact colour match simply spray the same colour you used into a small container and use the exact paint you sprayed always for touch ups. As soon as you switch colours even amongst brands the potential for seeing a different colour is much higher. Flat / Matte and Gloss in my opinion are three different shades or results. Hope that helps.

[@madtony2531]

Thanks Sure Rock. Great tips. What I need now is a good light. struggling to paint the intricate parts on cloudy days. A daylight bulb in a small lamp . The 55 year old eyes are straining a bit

[@queuque1234]

Tamiya LP series can be used with brush?

[@iamtummyliciousm9045]

Will the paint in the bottle harden when you leave it open while painting? Will it ruin the paint quality if you left it open like for 15mins while painting kits?

[@davidhovik7176]

no

[@jeffyoung8726]

Hey man, thanks for the tips!

[@ianmontero27]

Can i use water to thin my tamiya paint?

[@lv2xlr8NOW]

Try NATO black for tires, it's good as well

[@aneszuxx]

Thanks for the video, it is very helpfull, especially for beginners. How long donI need to wait between two coats? What is your experience regarding this?

[@surerockco.models3452]

Thanks. Usually about an hour naturally. I've used this product for 25-30 years now.

[@aneszuxx]

@@surerockco.models3452 Thank you for your help. I waited for > 12 hours so 2-3 coats with 2-3 colors took me a week to paint 😂 How many coats is enough or too much? Do I figure this out for myself, if the color is even and no base color showing through? For example, after 2 coats of X-7 on a RC side mirror I still can see some lighter areas. The base color is white.

[@everythingrc2324]

Great video!! Although I thought tamiya acrylic was solvent based? Hence the flammable part. Thanks!!

[@yameka5198]

can I use tamiya panel line after hand painting my gunpla with tamiya acrylic paint?

[@cqcbare]

Put a clear top coat over the paint before panel lining

[@greggregson9687]

I always get the Tamiya acrylic paint retarder, and add a few drops to each new bottle I buy. This lengthens the drying time, and consequently helps to stop most of the brush stroke and 'pull up' issues.

[@davidlanham5914]

Do you thin the entire paint jar? What thinner do you use and at what ratio? Do you only airbrush? Trying to get various opinions and options for using Tamiya acrylics since I've never used anything but Model Master Acryl. Thanks.

[@greggregson9687]

@@davidlanham5914 Yes, I just put a few drops of Tamiya acrylic paint thinner in each new jar of Tamiya acrylic paint I buy. I use paint brushes and hand paint. I used to use Acryl myself (and before that, the even better pollyscale) for my needs, but since they were discontinued, I have had to make do with what is available.

[@davidlanham5914]

@@greggregson9687 Do you do like Sure Rock proposed and fill a new jar of Tamiya paint near the top with the thinner medium (X-20A or 91% alcohol) plus add a few drops of retarder, or just add a few drops of thinner and a few drops of retarder? Since you're a fellow brush painter, really interested to try your thinning method. Also, what do you use to prime and do you thin your primer of choice? Thanks for your assistance.

[@greggregson9687]

@@davidlanham5914 Just the few drops of retarder into the jar, you can add a bit more than that if it is still drying too quickly for you. If I am painting a large area, I get some of the paint on to a palette and add just a touch of water, or just paint from the jar depending on the thickness of the paint. If I am painting something like a figure or small area, I paint straight from the jar. The retarder usually makes it quite brush-able. Because Tamiya is more matte than Acryl, I usually paint a gloss or semi gloss over it for decals. Then I use either Humbrol Satin Cote (sometimes Matt Cote if it a good jar) or Tamiya spray matte varnish to finish. I do Cockpits and other clears separately by hand, and stick them on at the end (unless I hand brush the satin cote, in which I put it on before the cote). For primer, Tamiya generally sticks well to plastic, so after giving the plastic a good wash, I paint it straight on. When I do use primer, I usually use the Tamiya primer in a spray can. Other brands would no doubt do fine as well. I don't find Tamiya to do as smooth a job as Acryl/pollyscale used to do, but it is fairly decent. Many colours cover better than Acryl though. Hope this helps.

[@davidlanham5914]

@@greggregson9687 Thanks for the valuable tips and info. Do you wash your model parts with alcohol or dish detergent? If you add only a few drops of X-20A thinner to a full jar of Tamiya paint, then that would indicate you believe Sure Rock's adding thinner up near the lip of a full jar of paint would make the paint way too thin for brush painting, correct? Do you believe it's a mistake to brush paint primer coats instead of airbrushing or using rattle cans? Finally, do you prefer Tamiya paints to Vallejo paints?

[@joejoestar2198]

Do they last ? do they get washed of by water or thinner and do you have to put on a topcoat and overall do you think this is the best acrylic paint for model kits

[@surerockco.models3452]

In my opinion when Tamiya paint cures it is the most durable surface of all . (Maybe Citadel is close). If the surface you paint on is washed and clean, with no oils etc to avoid paint lift, the paint is fine the way it is. If the model is handled more often then a top coat wouldn't hurt once your colours are cured. These paints are generally designed to be used by all types of modellers from the beginner / neglectful stages to advanced / professional modellers, it is concocted for everyone to use.

[@doanehoag870]

@@surerockco.models3452 I've been experimenting using Liquitex acrylics (and other art acrylics) on bare polystyrene and find that they do not cover well at all, especially in thin washes. I washed the polystyrene first and I have also tried adding a bit of various Tamiya thinner substitutes, isopropol alcohol, the alcohol mixed with water, and the mix with some Liquitex airbrush medium added, but non of them helped. The only way I could get a smooth coat was to first prime the plastic with Tamiya lacquer primer, which apparently bites into the plastic a bit. Put on very lite it retains the fine details on my parts. I can also get good results if I use Kiltz shellac based primer, but I have to be careful to keep it very light or I lose the fine details. My question is, do the Tamiya acrylics have lacquer thinner in them which enables them to cover plastic better? Maybe that would also explain why they are flammable? Thanks,

[@rh.od18]

I am going to use it on rubber sheets is it ok?

[@surerockco.models3452]

You should test it first.

[@keithjohnston5936]

Best tip starts at 4:49. That’s right, patience.

[@perfectsplit5515]

I poured my Tamiya blue X-4 acrylic paint into my lexan jeep body, and it was dark blue. Then I scraped up the residual paint from the bottom of the bottle and used it to paint in the body, and it came out medium blue!!!??? Now I have 2 tones of blue randomly painted in my jeep body - from 1 color of paint!

[@ninjasqurl4383]

You said you can paint right onto the bare (I’m assuming washed) plastic. Is it pretty durable? I primarily do Gundam kits and as they are largely molded in the correct colors. I only need to do color corrections to parts. Would be a pain to have to mask then prime (assuming I’m not doing white or yellow as you mentioned in another comment)

[@surerockco.models3452]

It is good practice to wash your plastic to remove your oils from your hands and potential mould release left on the plastic itself. Most model companies know that every modeller does not follow the same practices and therefore make their paints more robust for this reason. Before attacking any model, always try a test piece of plastic from the same kit to see how the potential paints you're using react with your process. Thats thing with models and colour correction. Are only you going to ever view the model or displayed so others can see and comment? My suggestion is if the initial colours are not correct, go through the work and effort to make yourself happy and satisfied for the long run so when you look at it in 10 years, you're happy and don't want to redo resulting in more work anyway.

[@Sh3ba5843]

hack/heroics I’m new to gundams just started. I’m just learning to paint by mainly just applying paint to where the decals would go. I tried to paint without the primer and my acrylics did not bind to it. I don’t have Tamiya paints but this Friday I’m buying a set for sure. I’m hooked and I have no clue how to do this, but I’m experimenting. I couldn’t find any small bottles of primer, I only could find the spray, so I just sprayed some in a lid, and dipped my brush in it. Worked like a charm. I also mixed my paint with medium gloss, and it stays really nice. I’m just nervous to panel line a section because I’m afraid when I clean the lines it will remove some paint.

[@surerockco.models3452]

@@Sh3ba5843 Welcome to my channel and the hobby! When applying decals, its always easier when the surface is glossy. If its flat the decal doesn't "move" as easy. The panel lines in my opinion is the easiest part, as long as you use an enamel panel line on the acrylic paint (no chance of interaction). Apply the panel lines, wait 10-20 minutes for it to semi dry, then wipe the excess panel lines away with lightly soaked/fumed enamel thinner.. Have fun and test on spare pieces where you can.

[@Sh3ba5843]

Sure Rock Co. Models Thankyou so much for the response time and reply to my question. I am going to try this right when I get out.

[@Sh3ba5843]

Sure Rock Co. Models incredible it works like a charm I’m getting the hang of it

[@Triiplesiix]

I just tried tamiya lacquer..and in preparing to use it I think I was confusing it with this acrylic hybrid or whatever this is lol.

[@dxdx5638]

Thank you for the tips

[@christisrisen6774]

Just picked up some Tamiya Flat Flesh Acrylic for my Astro Boy figure the paint around the Neck is cracking I hope this paint Does the job the figure was kinda pricey

[@williamangell3114]

can I use water to thin the paint?

[@surerockco.models3452]

No. Use tamiya thinner or isopropyl.

[@claytaylor6956]

No

[@ronaldmcclelland1085]

Great video!

[@aminjuraev1268]

8:50 how did you this colour please? I need the same colour

[@surerockco.models3452]

That is chrome silver, because it dries quicker you should add some sort of thinner to the mixture to dilute and prolong your time using it. At that particular part of the video I am actually suggesting to use Testors for chrome as that silver is better and easier to use.

[@aminjuraev1268]

@@surerockco.models3452 I am about blue

[@bigbrainchica5473]

Hey I'm having trouble painting with light colors such as white :( Any tips?

[@surerockco.models3452]

Hey!, usually white and yellow have less pigment in them. They tend to require more coats than other heavy pigmented paints. I would suggest using a primer (light colours work best with a grey or white) and apply thin coats of your white until you're happy with the results.

[@ninjasqurl4383]

Awesome. This is what I came here looking for. As much as I don’t want to prime. It looks like for the few I won’t have a choice.

[@johnnoble01]

Who's doing this video? Sounds like Lance Ericsson! 😉😄

[@FredWilbury]

Maybe really thin the Tamiya before painting, seems to work 👌😎☕️

[@00ABBITT00]

XF 85 for tires.

[@freedom14639]

I thought it was ratio of 1 drop thinner 4 drop colour

[@Auchaser643]

It's an alcohol based paint dont know why they call it acrylic The best thinner for this is Mr leveling thinner since it's both a retarder and thinner

[@surerockco.models3452]

Thank you for adding that info. Where I'm from, we don't have easy access to Mr. products as it isn't sold everywhere unfortunately.

[@Auchaser643]

Sure Rock Co. Models I definitely feel your pain I have to order online and wait around 2-3 weeks for it to get to me so it forces me to kinda stock up on the big bottle

[@MrPolicekarim]

Apparently it is a 'Hybrid' of 2 types of paint= acrylic and lacquer. Also in the '70s lacquer wasn't very common in model making. It was either enamel or acrylic!

[@kennethhancock2433]

I had trouble with Tamiya going on too thick when brushing. Thinner didn’t give me the result I was looking for. I mail ordered Tamiya retarder. It took a while. I’ll try it soon.

[@itzladzz1948]

Can i use paint brush for tamiyah?

[@johnmellor932]

Jeez dude, put a high pass filter on your videos, My subwoofer is maxxing out.

[@catlady8324]

Could you clean the caps and jar threads? They’re all mucked up with paint! Eh. 🤢

[@bradster1708]

You can clean with thinners. First try isopropyl alcohol. If this does not work use lacquer thinners, this will definitely work but it does smell. This also works on cleaning enamel paints.

[@catlady8324]

@@bradster1708 I should have said “Would you please clean the paint jar caps and threads”. I know they “Could” be cleaned, so how about putting the theory into practice?

[@bradster1708]

@@catlady8324 OK cool.

[@Trouble_Gav]

1 buck 1 dollor

[@elmodelistasinpulso57]

its batman🤣

[@chrisp4170]

Sorry, but using a lighter to warm acrylic paints is not a good idea!

[@lemming4774]

The intro do be stinky