Product review, New from AK, Real colour Markers, full set review

[@GavinNerazzurri]

Thanks for the useful review Jason.

[@JohnCScaleModeling]

Jason, thanks for this review. I’ve thought about these pens, since they’ve appeared on several channels. Your’s of course was the most comprehensive review! You’ve helped confirm my thoughts of ‘a nice addition to my tools but not essential’. Keep up the great work and have a good week.

[@mariablundall2228]

Thamku for the review, are there any alternatives markers you can recommend which does the same job but lighter on the purse wise ??

[@gene5572]

Hi Jason, excellent and great video review of these markers.

[@Rusty-cook]

I like the way you tested these. Seen a couple of others test them, but not as good as you did. Keep up the good work. BTW, I love the Airbrush for Beginners series. Can’t wait for the next one!

[@flips300021]

Excellent review. Very much appreciated. I have had my eye on these for a while now. But not seen a real in depth look at them until now. You have helped me make my mind up. I was like 50/50. Even when seeing that they are literally flying off the shelves like nowt else, at a couple of stockists I use for most of my stuff. In stock one minute and gone the next! But now I'm totally "not" sold on these. Glad I hung fire. I'll stick to using the cheap Acrylic paint pump pens. Similar to the Posca's, that as you know, you can get on Ama * on and Bay for like 12 quid for 24. Including some metallics. They are a no-brainer! Great for (As you've said) small jobs. But. 65 quid + for these! Nah!! They are just Acrylic paint pens at 10 a penny, but with A K stamped on the sides. And paying "them" for the privilege. Thank you for saving me from wasting my money. Overall: A rip off.

[@NickAndrewsFaulkner]

I bought the full set too, so far they have been good. For example, I like being able to paint a 1/72 pilot in about 10 minutes, which then just needs a quick varnish before being given a wash. Tyres and wheel hubs are also much easier and so far I haven't had to cut masks which is another time saver. Seeing the masking issues, I've just inflicted a test on my current mule, a Spitfire: happy with the results, slight bleed on one panel line, but not on another which makes me think I didn't press the tape down hard enough. I think they compliment rather than replace Posca pens, Posca's are far better for spot colour and density, however the choice is limited to primary colours. Early days, but so far positive results and it will be interesting to see how AK develop the product. Thank you for another good review.

[@domb77]

Hi Jason, thanks for in depth review. These pens will have it's uses I'm sure, I might try out one in the future, for now I will stick with my Posca pens. Thanks and have a great day, Dom

[@FinsburyPhil]

I think they will need to release an ultra fine version with a narrow hard tip like a Pigma Micron pen. I see me just using these for things like detail in a cockpit (1:48+). I've bought a small selection to try out. Is the Posca pen paint or ink Jason?

[@ModelkitStuff]

@@FinsburyPhil Posca are paint pens, I have used them for years

[@FinsburyPhil]

@@ModelkitStuff Thanks, I'll give them a try too

[@southpaw5483]

Thank you very much for the informative and well narrated video. In regard to Posca, what is the marker size/model number that is best suited for model making? cheers.

[@kyledehartsscaleworks]

Very cool. Appreciate this review as I’ve been seeing this set pop up and wondered how well they worked. 100 US dollars makes it hard to just pull the trigger on a whim. Might just try out a couple of the smaller sets rather than the full set.

[@JeffDonahueScaleModeling]

Hi Jason, Thanks for another great First Impression. Interesting product. I think for most applications, I'll stick with the Posca pens. Have a great day. Jeff

[@joepucillo1338]

Hi Jason, Enjoyed the review! I have no experience with paint pens,but I would be interested trying the color set for weapons. Thank you!

[@DarrellThompson47]

I thought these might be good for doing swiggle pattern camo, but from your review, I'm not sure you could do it in one coat, so they wouldn't be any good in this case. Is the paint water based as you didn't mention that?

[@ModelkitStuff]

Its not clear if they are water based acrylic or not, given the toughness of the paint once dry I would suspect not water based, also they have a faint solvent smell which would support them not being water based acrylic but solvent based acrylic.

[@DarrellThompson47]

@ModelkitStuff okay thanks. I would like to try one, so hopefully they will eventually sell them individually.

[@ModelkitStuff]

@@DarrellThompson47 They are now doing that

[@hacheyp]

I bought these and was surprised as to how light they are, I’m a little concerned that there isn’t much paint in each one?

[@rustywarrior5288]

The one thing that I would probably get these for I already have the Posca pens for. AK are once again attempting to exploit a "gap" in the market by watching modellers using readily available off the shelf products and then over engineering a solution that we probably don't really _need_ . We can probably get the same results with a good fashioned hairy stick.

[@arthurrytis6010]

The thing that worries me is do they dry out in the tube if not used for a while ?

[@ModelkitStuff]

good question

[@mariablundall2228]

Hi jason, just came across your video on the paint pens, i have acrylic paint pens would they do the same job as these pens and what do you think of oil based paint pens i brought my first miniature to paint looking forward to experimenting with the pens

[@ModelkitStuff]

I can only comment on these and Posca pens really as per the video, these are certainly no good for miniatures

[@carlsmoot2939]

I think that these need to be considered as a supplement to traditional brush and airbrush methods, in a similar way that weathering pencils, washes, pigments, and even decals. For some applications, where a more precise application is needed in small quantities, these might work, although I question the size of the nib and it's ability to retain its pointy shape. If experience with Sharpies are any indicator, these tips will not hold this shape and will quickly degrade to a larger, blunter tip, making them of questionable use. Furthermore, as with all things chemical, one has to weigh the costs with the amount of product received and how long it might be expected to be useful , especially given the extended build times many of us have and the infrequent use we have for any type of color application. By infrequent, I mean, we spend far more time preparing for the finish on the model than on the finish itself (in general), meaning that these would be used infrequently, especially considering they would not be a primary means of applying colors. And therefore, more likely to become unusable. I personally think that AK should have offered these as fine point markers for very precise applications, such as highlighting or small detail painting. And probably smaller capacities at a reduced price point. As it stands, a fine tip, well maintained brush and traditional paint methods can provide most of the detailing needs for the majority of modelers. I would have preferred that AK spend more of their development on offering more collections of their traditional Real Colors, catering to the specific needs of a wider array of modeling interests.

[@garrburton3375]

Jason, As usual a very detailed and open review….. Personally my concern is not what happens out of the box today or it’s applications but how long they survive over time in the box……🤔 They may well last for ages…..on the other hand they may not…… I’ll wait and see….👍

[@Jason_L10]

They seem to be designed to do touching up where paint gets lifted when removing a mask, painting details like moulded seat belts, instrument panel items like switches, Lights, buttons etc,

[@ModelkitStuff]

you would struggle to do small details due to the lack of precision in the tip

[@joemoore4027]

Having the choice between a marker type paint system or a good brush with quality paints, I'll take the brush and paint. To sell a huge set like AK's is not worth the use you would get out of it, IMHO. Having to apply multiple coats just makes the final finish look like a bad brush job ( pre-airbrush era. ). It seams AK gets overboard with "you need all this " products.

[@davepasopton8840]

I think that they probably mean aerosol Rattle paint cans by Spraying.

[@ModelkitStuff]

@@davepasopton8840 yes indeed

[@michaeldantoni4292]

That's a lot of kit for just touching up stuff. I'd stick with the individual options.

[@davesplasticmodelreviewsan8033]

No sense to get the whole kit, just get individual markers