Paints/Brushes - Enamel and Acrylic Ramble

[pmskaar]

Hi Gazza!

Thanks for the heads up on the Humbrol paint cancellations. I will have to stock up on some colors. Most of the colors I use are being continued but I did notice a few, that I like, that are not.

[Mortis57]

I made a couple of shopping trips (to a total of three different shops) for both paints and brushes last week. The photo below shows the results.


As I mentioned last year, Humbrol had stopped making an enamel version of 159 (Khaki Drab) so I picked up a couple bottles of the acrylic version (as well as two bottles of Ammo by Migs SCC15 - their version of the same late WWII British tank colour). I've, so far, painted four 3d printed Land Mattresses with the Humbrol acrylic version and it went on fine. So either I was lucky enough to get a 'good' bottle or Humbrol have upped their game.

The total cost (ignoring public transport fares) came to about £35 - so just under £3 (on average) per item.

[traveller]

Recently received some Humbrols from Hornby and they seem to be back on track. Some I purchased about two years ago were not so good. Matt paints were finishing as gloss no matter how much I stirred them.
I also purchased a brush cleaner called "The Masters" brush cleaner and preserver by the General Pencil Co.Inc of Jersey City. Bought from Amazon UK. Found that it really cleans the brushes well and they seem to keep their point longer.

[Mortis57]

Sorry I somehow forgot to reply to this after originally seeing it on my phone whilst out.

Recently received some Humbrols from Hornby and they seem to be back on track. Some I purchased about two years ago were not so good. Matt paints were finishing as gloss no matter how much I stirred them.

I guy I knew a few years ago (over 10) thought it was down to there not being enough silicates (IIRC) in the mix and the soultion was to add your own. Where you get them is another question (EBay?).

I also purchased a brush cleaner called "The Masters" brush cleaner and preserver by the General Pencil Co.Inc of Jersey City. Bought from Amazon UK. Found that it really cleans the brushes well and they seem to keep their point longer.

Whilst I always recommend that you buy the best quality brushes you can afford, I'm really bad at looking after my brushes and tend to go for fairly cheap ones (£2-£3 each). The only thing that I do that could be considered brush care is to use separate brushes for acrylics and enamels (and varnishes and metallics).

Basically, I think an experiment might be in order. I should get a (small) quantity of the brush cleaner and see how long it extends a brush's life. 10%, 25%, 100%, more? Hmm! It's something to think about.