Paint conspiracy?

[CG Bob]

Why does model paint come in such small bottles when some of us build such large models? Do you think that the model paint makers should put paint in larger containers, like 4 or 6 ounces? Or do you buy half pint cans from the home improvement store? It seems that most of the paint makers use bottles ranging from 1/4 ounce (7ml) to 1 ounce (29.5 ml). On a larger model, something about 4 feet long or longer, you need lots of those little jars. I think they can put some of the basic ship colors in larger containers - white, haze gray, deck gray, antifouling red, and black.

[Kmot]

Those tiny bottles are for the guys building small plastic models.

For practically everything I do I use acrylic paints that come from craft stores. I use them either with a paint brush or in my airbrush. I mix my own colors with them till I get the shade I want. The acrylic paints dry flat. If you need sheen or gloss you add that later.

For really large models you could buy the paint at the home improvement store and then shoot it with a "touch up gun". Bring them a color sample and the computer will match it perfectly. Gotta love the digital age..........

[LtDoc]

I've wondered that too! WalMart carried some enamels in a 4 ounce jar, but they decided to quit (sometimes I really wonder who makes these recomendations, you know?). Then it's either the itty-bitty bottles or something from the harware or lumberyard, or order it (no local hobby-stores). Oh well...
- 'Doc

[CG Bob]

The hobby paints grind the pigment to a finer powder than the home improvement and X-mart stores. The finer pigment doesn't matter too much on a military or work vessel with a flat finish; for a pleasure boat a glossier finish is needed. The finer pigment in hobby painy allows for a glossier finish.

Sometimes the only color sample available is a color picture. Depending on the age of the photo, or the angle of the sun, the color may not be true. For military models, matching to FS 595 is the best bet.

I did pose the question of larger paint containers to Testors. STill waiting for a response.

[keith S]

I too have been frustrated with finding paint in larger volume from the hobby store :( . When painting any of my large models, tugs or warships, I usally "rattle can" the primer and most basic colors. The specialty colors for the warships, I airbrush with my own mixture ( usally several bottles :rolleyes:) as that is the only way to get the shade I am looking for.
As far as the hobby companies putting their brands into larger cans--it will never happen. :eek: The problem is very simple. They make their paints for the masses that do use them--people building small little cars/planes out of little boxes. A can for them will cover a couple of models easily. For those of us that build larger( bigger than a box that is 12x8x3" :D ) scale model ships/boats we are not of a primary concern as we are a minority in the hobbies. If you are an r/c boat person that builds models bigger than 4', you become even more of a minority. WE do not have enough buying power as a group with the manufactures to warent the developement of larger cans. :( :mad: :censored: Don't mean to be a downer, just telling some facts that I have delt with also. There are some paint shops out there that CAN mix and load specialty paint for you into a spray can. :) Be warrned that this can will cost a lot more than something off the shelf ( about $20.00 each) :eek: .

[Kmot]

The specialty colors for the warships, I airbrush with my own mixture ( usally several bottles as that is the only way to get the shade I am looking for.)

Here is a method I use that is effective and uses only a few drops at a time. I use those little paper drinking cups and mix the paint and draw it up the sides. Nice white background shows the color as it has dried.

[LtDoc]

Kmot,
I know my eye sight isn't what it used to be, but why so many different shades of black? - LOL
;)
- 'Doc

[Kmot]

Uhm.... maybe you should adjust your monitor colors? lol... ;)