For the crafts that I do, dollhouse miniatures and sola wood flowers, these are the paints I will be using with my airbrush. This video was worth its weight in gold! I love how bright and organized your desk is.
First off, Thumbs Up just for pronouncing Ceramcoat correctly. Secondly, thank you for being so positive about craft paints. I hear so many people in the wargaming community and model railroad crowd talk down about these wonderful paints. Maybe the problem is technique, and as you demonstrate, not using a good airbrush. I've been using these paints for years with good results - I am confident after watching your videos that I can achieve GREAT results. I started out using windshield washer fluid to thin but lately I have been using a matte medium or similar airbrush medium with distilled water to thin, and strain the paint through a micro mesh funnel from Micro Mark to avoid clogging the brush or leaving nits on the model. Interesting to see it used without straining. Great video.
I think people talk down with them because new people buy them because they're cheap and then struggle with them because they weren't formulated to paint models with. There's nothing "wrong" with them, they're just low pigment high viscosity paints. I use them all the time for terrain, but I prefer to use paints with naturally thinner viscosities, finer ground pigments and higher pigment densities for miniatures that require a smooth finish.
@@joshfoss7407 I agree, they can be a struggle to use if a person is new and unfamiliar with thinning paint. But I wonder if they really do have less pigment density. I've heard this many times but I have never seen this proven conclusively. I have a wide range of these craft paints I've used for painting model trains, both rolling stock and structures, as well as in scenery. The key for me has been thinning the paint to a workable consistency, either for airbrushing or brush painting, and working carefully as you would with any paint.
I use these paints exclusively for my minis. I don't do a lot of effects, but I have been able to do some things that I think would surprise some of the naysayers out there.
I've achieved some great results with euro/dollar store, and craft paints. A tiny bit of glycerol mixed in with the matt medium, distilled water and a small bit of 95+% isopropyl alcohol, and they can be ace in an airbrush.
I highly doubt most model painters use something like a harbor freight airbrush. I believe the problem is they expect the craft paint to work like paints more designed for airbrush use. I imagine being used to using paint like testors for example, will make using craft paint harder to achieve what they are expecting. Hence why they talk down about craft paint. At least this is what I think. I use craft paint constantly with a $20 Harbor Freight airbrush. Besides being new to airbrushing, I don't believe any issues I had was because of the craft paint. Rather, my inexperience using an airbrush, and properly thinning the paint.
You're an amazing resource for new and seasoned hobbyists wanting to branch out and see first hand the inexhaustible amount of tests you put out that leave little guesswork and plenty of inspiration for hobby painters.
My wife imposed a "news blackout" on me. Said I was wasting good bench time watching news. I found this guy and I really like him. Good and fast info. I'm a fan spending more time at the bench. Thank you both!!
I'm a newbie and have been waiting weeks for someone to put out a video that was worth a $h¡t and took time to show the steps and ratios. Thanks so much. Now I can go try it
Why does everyone need a video to show them how to do this. Ever think of trying and experimenting on your own. ? That's how you learn what will work for you and what doesn't.
I have to say that I admire how you present your materials and techniques, and yet, most of all, your enthusiasm and demeanor is SO positive and supportive!!! I really like your channel, and I follow your suggestions to the letter. I also make props for TV shows, like JAG, Agents of SHIELD, Picard2 and Chicago Fire. And btw, I bought that Grex airbrush; I love it, and it works really well! You're the best!!! 🙏
Great video! I use these paints 95% of the time and thin the same way. I have found, once dry, they hold the Tamiya and blue painter tape with no problem at all. For using silvers on aircraft bodies, I have found that several light coats work best and give a great look. Love this hobby and these paints help ease the burden on the wallet. Also, I have found when mixing colors, mix them together first then add thinner, better results and know that the color will normally dry a half shade to 3/4 shade darker. Thanks again for the video, I really enjoyed it!
I use Apple Barrel and FolkArt acrylic paints from Walmart for some stuff when I'm painting models. You just got to thin it down just right and it works just as good as the expensive brands like Citadel paints. Like I mix FolkArt neon green and Apple Barrel brown together to make a nice mud green color I use for my ork skin. Well I paint my models by hand with paint brushes not air brush but it still works.
This video is phenomenal. By far the best video on using cheap paints for airbrushing I've seen. I hope you do an update video, or series, with these paints.
Thanks for watching. I just tested the acrylic paints that come in the tubes from the craft store. I thinned and airbrushed it and they came out great.
Well in a nut shell. I'm a taxidermist. Fixing to get into lure airbrushing. All my research is createx.. but what u just did is impressive. FROM ALABAMA
VERY interesting! I have been using a number of the "cheap craft paints" for years for weathering, structures and for scenery (I'm a model railroader). I hadn't thought that they would airbrush very well, but you showed that they can perform quite well. I do little airbrushing due to health problems, but I brush paint quite a bit. Many of these colors can be brushed easily but you are right, one needs a primer or a couple coats. For weathering like dry brushing or to make washes I still prefer the "model paints" like Vallejo, etc. Maybe finer ground pigments or a different binder? I DO like that the craft paints can be counted on to give a dead flat finish (important for my applications). Thanks for your info on air brushing this stuff. All-in-all they are a good deal for the price.
I've had my airbrush and compressor for almost a year, but couldn't find the right combination of search terms to find what I've been looking for. I just stumbled on this looking up something else! This is great, thanks!
Great video, interesting that you use windshield washer fluid to thin your paint. I generally stick with Tamiya paints for most of my 1:35 scale models but money is very tight on my disability pension so I shop at the dollar store and bought some basic colors ($1 each) and found they work pretty well using my basic Testor hobby airbrush. Thanks for taking the time to make & upload your videos.
Barbatos Rex I just want to give you huge thanks for this video. I've been hand painting using craft paints for a while and recently moved up to an airbrush. I was sad that I had so many cool paints, like the folk art blue flash, that I probably wouldn't be able to use with an airbrush. That being said, I tried the method you laid out here, and it worked like a charm. I threw on a blue base coat, then blue flash, each craft paints, and it came out really really great. Thanks for all the work you do and keep making awesome content.
This is awesome, thanks for taking the time to explore these cheap paints. It's funny because my wife was just asking if I could use this stuff a couple weeks back, and my initial thought was "No way, that's just cheap junk. I need the stuff that's been specially made for models." Guess again! Another test that might great to see is how these paints hold up to being masked over.
I tested Tamiya tape over them yesterday for someone and it held up great. I'll show the tape in my follow up video on cheap Craft store metallic paints
I used all the time you can mix all kinds of stuff with cheap arylic experiment mix them. With food coloring Kwick seal Alex ross Spackle. Use for terrian. To restore My Action Igures
Just started watching your channel and I enjoy it very much. Very informative channel and looking forward to binge watchinh all your videos. Aloha from Kansas
Just started airbrushing now that I’m retired. Never tried it before, thank you so much for the comparison. I’ve bought these paints to do acrylic pour painting so I have a bunch. Love the metallic purple you demonstrated! Thanks again, you’ve got a subscriber from me. Keep up the great tutorials.
Mr. Rex, Congratulations! You are the only airbrushing craft paint You Tuber to get thinning craft paint right. Isopropyl alcohol and ammonia(Windex) actually breakdown the acrylic resins. Windshield washer fluid(methanol) does not. Water is actually a bad thinner for two reasons. First, it takes way to long to dry. Second, too much surface tension-water would prefer to bead up rather than lay down. The only thing I would add is using a bit of flow-aid to help prevent tip clogging. I've subscribed to your channel. Thank you for this great tutorial. Bill
I have painted many model car kits with the craft paint's, always come out great!, Clear with Rust-Oleum 2x gloss clear,wet sand and buff, amazing results! Great video!
Every time I watch a video I see I’m doing something wrong 😂…I’m the new guy here that just started air brushing a little over a week ago.i need to leave my air brush down and watch a bunch of your videos and then pick up the air brush and try.im struggling to mix my paint.Its the cheap kind.i dont want to waste expensive paint until i get better.Thanks again for the tips and tricks brother!Your craft will never die 🙏
I am building a RG wing gundam using the folklart craft paints and your brushing technique. It’s coming out amazing! I’m really thankful for your videos! It’s my first time air brushing and everything worked great! Love the videos
Appreciate your videos and tips, very educational and informative. Regarding the hand-brushing, Acrylics always require 3, 4 or even up to 6 coats (even the hobby brands such as Vallejo) in my experience. Cheers, wishing you and family continued health
All the paint is gone because you're making so many awesome Videos and reviews of airbrush's that everyone want to try it! I know I went out and bought a airbrush kit that you reviewed because you did such a awesome job going over it. I felt I needed to try it. I painted a few truck models when I was 12 and I enjoyed it. Now 41 and wanting to give it a shot with some Rc body's! Love your Channel
Try brush-painting over a primered surface - the paint might be more even. I had not thought of using Ceramcoat because it was so thick, but you've shown that they can be airbrushed. Thanks for the demonstration!
I have been thinking for years that modeling paints are the "scam of the century" but I also thought I was slightly biased in my considerations. You have confirmed my experiences. p.s.: i posted the comment before the brush test and i have to say you that is possible to use this paints on brush only if you use them extremely thinned, just a little before the water consistency. The more the surface the more you had to thin the paint. It requires time, patience ( 7\8 coats are quite normal for a 1\72 wing) and also some skills with the brush handling related to the pressure and the velocity of the brushstrokes but the money saving it's really big.
Thank you for an excellent video, don’t apologize we love it on the fly. Looking for a craft that my 12 yr old grandson would enjoy. I have lots of these cheap paints so this was perfect. Going to purchase a airbrush and give it a go. Thanks again.
I've used the craft paints a couple of times when I did a custom aircraft and couldn't find the model paint the matched the aircraft's colors. I thinned mine with a 50/50 mix of water and pledge floor shine. The floor shine helped promote a bit of adhesion. I was still very hesitant to mask over the painted surface, but was able to do it with a gloss clear on top, and de-tacking the masking tape.
I would imagine that if you start with a decent selection at the store you could mix up some pretty convincing colours for aircraft and ships. Thx for the video.
I have just taken delivery of my first airbrush, and the compressor is ready to go. I am just waiting for an adapter that will allow me to connect the two together and I should be in business. While I am waiting, I have been binge watching your videos, and can only say how educational they have been, and I am hoping that I won't flounder as much as I probably would have if they hadn't been so useful. Keep up the good work, it's much appreciated.
Thanks for putting this information out there. I have been using craft paints almost exclusively on all of my model building for years. First of all, I love the plethora of colors available and if I can't find the exact color I want on the shelf, I can easily custom mix the color I want. Secondly, price and value are definitely positives as I try to do everything on a budget. When I seen that you were going to be using the Folk Art Blue Flash, I knew that you were going to be pleased with the outcome. The first time that I used Folk Art's colorshift paint I used the Blue Flash as well. I shot it over light gray primer onto a 66 Olds 442 build I was doing (see my profile picture). The results were stunning and I have been hooked on the colorshifting paints ever since. However, I didn't know what it would do if it was shot over a gloss black paint. That purple was fantastic so now I'm going to give that a try on one of my future builds. What brand of gloss black did you use for that test?
I actually used black ceramcoat mixed with water to paint a refurbished metal firearm lower receiver with an airbrush. Many many thin coats on top of a lightly primed surface and it came out absolutely wonderful and has remained a great finish for months now. Sure it might not be as great as expensive coatings but it’s worked well for me and I would recommend it to anyone. No issues covering sanded JB Weld either. Tip - the charcoal black is a perfect match for Heckler&Koch black. Edit: I forgot to say thanks for the great video! Was a big help for me.
The key to (bristle) brushing acrylic paints, especially craft paints, is a good primer. I've found that Stynylrez and gesso work perfectly (Stynylrez for anything, but gesso works great for miniatures as well, especially Reaper Bones). Oh, and all of the FolkArt Color Shift paints are ace over both.
I've been using these cheap craft paints on all my plastic models on top of oil-based primers and have had great results. You have to put a clear gloss over them to seal the paints before you put on decals. I love using the craft paints as they are very cheap, come in thousands of colors, are easy clean-up, even if you make a mistake on an oil-based prime it will wash off without staining, as long as you don't wait too long and most of all they can be used indoors because there is no solvent smell.
Thanks for sharing your windshield wiper fluid as airbrush medium trick. I am not going to waste any more money on the brand name 'made for airbrush' stuff from now on, nor will I use water or alcohol either. I've had great success with the Delta Ceramcoat paints brush painting (so long as I prime my plastic parts first...). I experimented with some some Ceramcoat in my airbrush once (using that airbrush branded media to thin it....) without good results and clogs. However, I was using an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS with 0.35 nozzle at about 20 psi. Perhaps I need to change my nozzle size to something larger like a 0.4 or 0.5? At any rate, great video about great paint. Here in Nebraska USA, we have the exact same supply problem with the craft paints, and Plaid's website states they are working to address the supply issue. Guess since everybody went on lockdown, they picked up crafting, model making, and miniature painting along with endless home improvement projects! What a difference spare time makes.
I have a huge drawer from my kids of the Apple brand acrylics and this will be great as I am getting back into modelling and have a good airbrush I need to learn to use!
I recently got several of the folkArt color shift paints from Michael's. Using only the brush technique I found them very transparent and not all that effective. But, there were a few instances where using them as a dry brush, it would still show the original color underneath, but have some awesome interest to the places that I dry brushed. In particular I painted the Nemesis larva with a Contrast Guilliman Flesh, then drybrushed FolkArt Color Shift Blue Flash. I think it looks amazing.
I’m just getting to resin kits, Godzilla stuff and your videos are extremely helpful. I really like the desk set up and tool videos you put up. I’m looking to start my first kit soon. Just a few more tools and some things to help organize the desk. So once again, thank you!
Love your video! I use this kind of paint on my statues and porcelain figurines with my airbrush and they look amazing. I use to thinner the Paint with window cleaner and a few drops of glycerine to keep the airbrush lubricated .
Glad I found your channel. Thanks for doing this. I've been wondering how these paints would work on plastic model work. Unfortunately, I've gone to two Michaels Art Supply stores in my area and for the past two years or so, their craft paint shelves have been virtually bare. As a matter of fact, a lot of their shelves have been bare. so much so that I asked employees if Michaels was going out of business. They said no but I have to wonder.
The Michaels near me is the same. They told me it's cause of the pandemic a d that every one is home doing crafts. But then I went to Hobby Lobby and Walmart up the road and they're both stocked up.
Another great informative video, showing how we can use the cheaper hobby paint to best use on the model kits. Like you, when I see colour ranges being stopped, I go and buy up what they’re getting rid of.
Superb video! The craft paint, applied with a brush, do wonderfully over a flat white primer or a white highlighted flat black primer. Have used Ceramcoat for 40 (Folkart for over 30) years and love them!
Thank you very much. People like you inspire me to try it because I don't need to spend a lot to get into the hobby. I just buy a nice air compressor (The ones with a small tank) and will start with the cheap airbrush that comes with it. looking forward to upgrade the airbrush next month but cant wait to try.
I have a bunch of Decoart craft paint that I had purchased, intending to use for 40K terrain pieces. I had planned to hand brush it on... now I am 100% going to airbrush it on instead! Thank you for doing this test/demo for us!!
The Ceramcoat paints work well brushed over primed plastic. I use them for almost all of my miniature painting with excellent results. I started using them when I didn't have the money for expensive miniature branded paint. I can afford more expensive paint now, but I stick with Ceramcoat because they have great coverage and a very broad spectrum of colors.
Excellent video! I just started airbrushing and this was exactly what I wanted to know. At this point for me, I can't afford to spend $100s of dollars building up a stock of airbrush paints
These paints work great. I've had several subscribers write me saying this type of paint is all they use. I'll be testing a bunch of the metallics soon also
Nice video. Color shift paint, you can use silver , gold , or black as a base. All 3 will come out a different finish color. I been using types of craft paint over the last 6 years with a airbrush, and it is one of the most versatile paints I've seen. You can mix colors to make a unique color with ease. I mainly use on anime figures.
Great video. I'm just getting started into model and mini painting. This is a big help. Picked up a bottle of the DecoArt black paints to test with and glad to see it wasn't a total idiot move.
Being a long time artist and master modeler, I have always done my painting free hand with a brush never used an airbrush until absolutely nessesary. Things just scared the hell out of me, this video helped me get fantastic understanding of mixing ratios with my acrylics so I dont f up my airbrush. This really helped me feel more comfortable using the damn thing especially on my models
To paint straight from the bottle you need to prime surface first. I use Home Depot white primer paint for my big statues and paint the very small details with brush. Hope it helps.
Thanks so much for testing. Re: handbrushing - from some of the videos I've seen, these spoons are ABS plastic a dif. Chemical make-up to Polystyrene & very glossy so hand-brushing paint will slide off. Other Videos recommend to prime 1st, then use several light (thinned) coats to hide brush strokes. I'll let You know how it turns out (on a piece of styrene) when I start up on models as I had Covid, Pneumonia then a Blood Clot all within same year as 3rd Covid Shot, still recup. THIS Yr can only be better! lol
I build and paint wargame miniatures and models and I have been using these paints for several years, Never have tried airbrushing it so I will have to try your technique. I build plastic, resin and metal miniatures with some kit bashed with all three materials. I have found that by first spraying them with a complete primer coat of flat black and then a downward spray of flat white leaving the undersides of the minis black. The Ceramcoat type paint goes on quite well in one coat and the black and white combination give a nice base shadowing effect.
What a great video! Thank you for taking the time to show all of this content as well as within a quality video! These color arrangements from what you had to work with is very impressive and gets the mind working on the creativity levels! Youll never know if you do not try, right!?
Awesome. I use a bunch of the folk art ones from Walmart. Works great for chassis’ and floor pans. The ones you should try are the Folk Art brushed metal line from Walmart. I was very impressed. I thinned mine 60/40 with washer fluid. 👍👍
@@brandangrier477 40 paint / 60 thinner. I’ve had to go as far as 70/30 because some are so thick. Remember, lots of mist coats. Don’t try and cover in 3-4 coats.👍👍
You get the best results from color shift paint if you paint the model flat black. That goes for rattle can Model Master Colorshift, Turbo Dorks, Vallejo, and any other brand. I used Testors on a Star Wars Legion Land Speeder and it looks slick! (I didn't want to paint it slop brown like everyone else). I tried to use the Apple Barrel/Folk Art color shift on my 32mm scale Sabine Wren figure on her Mandalorian armor, but it didn't work out, the armor pieces were too small to get the right effect. One day I'll get some Vallejo or Turbo Dork to try it on a miniature's armor.
Thanks for the info mr Rex . Very helpful for anyone with hobby’s. Especially for us new guys that are investing a lot at the beginning and are trying to find ways to do there hobby and not break the bank to bad lol. Thanks again and Happy holidays.
Bought a bunch of craft paints (acrylics) from Wallyworld today. So far they are working just fine. Need a lot of thinning, but other than that, coverage and levelling is good. Also dry quickly!
I don't paint models but I do like to paint with my airbrush from time to time. I've never heard of using windshield wiper fluid but it has alcohol in it so why not. I'll have to try it. Thanks for the video!
Wow, really good information. I use these paints for hand-brushing details (windows, figures, etc.) on my railroad layout. I'm excited to try them with my airbrush. Thank you.
Very nice video, Im a real neubi to air brush, I really like this video, I thought I had to buy 5.00$ paints to make it work, I have 15 bottles of outdoor paints from a craft store for bird houses, Im going to thin them out and air brush the bird houses - this should be fun ... thanks again for this very useful video... take care...
I finally got me an airbrush (the ones with the portable USB compressor) and have been rewatching some of your videos to get started with airbrushing. I just watched the video on making your homemade thinner and cleaner for acrylics and this one back to back. I was just curious why you went with the windshield washer fluid here as your thinner instead of your Distilled Water/IsoAlcohol/Flow Improver/Retarder mix?
Thx!! I have been using acrylics almost exclusively on my model cars .. did 57 Belair in blue flash had good results and 55 Ford F100 in Createx Acrylic Pearl Green (did video) and had good results thx! again
I use a gloss black paint I found at michaels for $1, I use it thick as is for brush and I put some in a tamiya jar and thinned it out for airbrush use. Great stuff
You can thin this with “future” now sold as pledge revive it floor gloss to make it come out less matte and more glossy to start with instead of using windshield wiper fluid. Chris Chapman was the first guy I saw doing it. He has a video on TH-cam from 2014 describing his thinning and showing him spraying a car. You can brush paint it over primed plastic but it takes more coats than other acrylics and enamels for sure.
I use Decoart great stuff. But i pour it through a screen thats used in a gas can. Its amazing what that catches and i dont have issues plugging my airbrush.
When you're hand brushing it, I bet it would coat a little easier over a primed surface. That glossy plastic of the spoons is slippery. Give it something to grab onto and I think it may work better. Great video sir! You have a new subscriber.
Great vid again and really enjoying your content both in the amount of vids you are putting out and the subject matters. I'm blown away by just how good these cheap paints are and how well they airbrush. Keep up the great work and all the best for Christmas and the New Year. You guys are doing it tough in the states at the moment and our thoughts in Australia are with you.
Could I use mr. Color leveling thinner to thin craft acrylic? Or would it take too much to thin and therefore become expensive? Which of the 2 do you recommend? Mr color or the washer fluid?
For the crafts that I do, dollhouse miniatures and sola wood flowers, these are the paints I will be using with my airbrush. This video was worth its weight in gold! I love how bright and organized your desk is.
Those sound like some fun projects. Enjoy!
First off, Thumbs Up just for pronouncing Ceramcoat correctly. Secondly, thank you for being so positive about craft paints. I hear so many people in the wargaming community and model railroad crowd talk down about these wonderful paints. Maybe the problem is technique, and as you demonstrate, not using a good airbrush. I've been using these paints for years with good results - I am confident after watching your videos that I can achieve GREAT results. I started out using windshield washer fluid to thin but lately I have been using a matte medium or similar airbrush medium with distilled water to thin, and strain the paint through a micro mesh funnel from Micro Mark to avoid clogging the brush or leaving nits on the model. Interesting to see it used without straining. Great video.
I think people talk down with them because new people buy them because they're cheap and then struggle with them because they weren't formulated to paint models with. There's nothing "wrong" with them, they're just low pigment high viscosity paints. I use them all the time for terrain, but I prefer to use paints with naturally thinner viscosities, finer ground pigments and higher pigment densities for miniatures that require a smooth finish.
@@joshfoss7407 I agree, they can be a struggle to use if a person is new and unfamiliar with thinning paint. But I wonder if they really do have less pigment density. I've heard this many times but I have never seen this proven conclusively. I have a wide range of these craft paints I've used for painting model trains, both rolling stock and structures, as well as in scenery. The key for me has been thinning the paint to a workable consistency, either for airbrushing or brush painting, and working carefully as you would with any paint.
I use these paints exclusively for my minis. I don't do a lot of effects, but I have been able to do some things that I think would surprise some of the naysayers out there.
I've achieved some great results with euro/dollar store, and craft paints. A tiny bit of glycerol mixed in with the matt medium, distilled water and a small bit of 95+% isopropyl alcohol, and they can be ace in an airbrush.
I highly doubt most model painters use something like a harbor freight airbrush. I believe the problem is they expect the craft paint to work like paints more designed for airbrush use. I imagine being used to using paint like testors for example, will make using craft paint harder to achieve what they are expecting. Hence why they talk down about craft paint. At least this is what I think.
I use craft paint constantly with a $20 Harbor Freight airbrush. Besides being new to airbrushing, I don't believe any issues I had was because of the craft paint. Rather, my inexperience using an airbrush, and properly thinning the paint.
You're an amazing resource for new and seasoned hobbyists wanting to branch out and see first hand the inexhaustible amount of tests you put out that leave little guesswork and plenty of inspiration for hobby painters.
My wife imposed a "news blackout" on me. Said I was wasting good bench time watching news. I found this guy and I really like him. Good and fast info. I'm a fan spending more time at the bench. Thank you both!!
You're welcome buddy and thanks for watching, we welcome you back to the hobby
I'm a newbie and have been waiting weeks for someone to put out a video that was worth a $h¡t and took time to show the steps and ratios. Thanks so much. Now I can go try it
You're welcome, and thanks for watching
Same here!!!
Why does everyone need a video to show them how to do this. Ever think of trying and experimenting on your own. ? That's how you learn what will work for you and what doesn't.
I have to say that I admire how you present your materials and techniques, and yet, most of all, your enthusiasm and demeanor is SO positive and supportive!!! I really like your channel, and I follow your suggestions to the letter. I also make props for TV shows, like JAG, Agents of SHIELD, Picard2 and Chicago Fire. And btw, I bought that Grex airbrush; I love it, and it works really well! You're the best!!! 🙏
I love it when people get excited about the colour that is coming out as they are busy working, it is so cool to see!
Great video! I use these paints 95% of the time and thin the same way. I have found, once dry, they hold the Tamiya and blue painter tape with no problem at all. For using silvers on aircraft bodies, I have found that several light coats work best and give a great look. Love this hobby and these paints help ease the burden on the wallet. Also, I have found when mixing colors, mix them together first then add thinner, better results and know that the color will normally dry a half shade to 3/4 shade darker. Thanks again for the video, I really enjoyed it!
Thanks for watching and the feedback
I love your channel I just started to airbrush this year when I got a brush for Christmas you help so much
I use Apple Barrel and FolkArt acrylic paints from Walmart for some stuff when I'm painting models. You just got to thin it down just right and it works just as good as the expensive brands like Citadel paints. Like I mix FolkArt neon green and Apple Barrel brown together to make a nice mud green color I use for my ork skin.
Well I paint my models by hand with paint brushes not air brush but it still works.
This video is phenomenal. By far the best video on using cheap paints for airbrushing I've seen. I hope you do an update video, or series, with these paints.
Thanks for watching. I just tested the acrylic paints that come in the tubes from the craft store. I thinned and airbrushed it and they came out great.
i love how even after all the years of you doing this. you still get so excited trying new things. thanks for sharing this.
Well in a nut shell. I'm a taxidermist. Fixing to get into lure airbrushing. All my research is createx.. but what u just did is impressive. FROM ALABAMA
VERY interesting! I have been using a number of the "cheap craft paints" for years for weathering, structures and for scenery (I'm a model railroader). I hadn't thought that they would airbrush very well, but you showed that they can perform quite well. I do little airbrushing due to health problems, but I brush paint quite a bit. Many of these colors can be brushed easily but you are right, one needs a primer or a couple coats. For weathering like dry brushing or to make washes I still prefer the "model paints" like Vallejo, etc. Maybe finer ground pigments or a different binder? I DO like that the craft paints can be counted on to give a dead flat finish (important for my applications). Thanks for your info on air brushing this stuff. All-in-all they are a good deal for the price.
It's the pigment's grind like you say but also the pigment density.
I've had my airbrush and compressor for almost a year, but couldn't find the right combination of search terms to find what I've been looking for. I just stumbled on this looking up something else! This is great, thanks!
You're welcome. Any questions just ask
Great video, interesting that you use windshield washer fluid to thin your paint. I generally stick with Tamiya paints for most of my 1:35 scale models but money is very tight on my disability pension so I shop at the dollar store and bought some basic colors ($1 each) and found they work pretty well using my basic Testor hobby airbrush. Thanks for taking the time to make & upload your videos.
Manufacturer’s name and line of paints, would be good to have, so we can purchase a ‘known” type….
Also, which “dollar store” chain….
Barbatos Rex I just want to give you huge thanks for this video. I've been hand painting using craft paints for a while and recently moved up to an airbrush. I was sad that I had so many cool paints, like the folk art blue flash, that I probably wouldn't be able to use with an airbrush. That being said, I tried the method you laid out here, and it worked like a charm. I threw on a blue base coat, then blue flash, each craft paints, and it came out really really great. Thanks for all the work you do and keep making awesome content.
This is awesome, thanks for taking the time to explore these cheap paints. It's funny because my wife was just asking if I could use this stuff a couple weeks back, and my initial thought was "No way, that's just cheap junk. I need the stuff that's been specially made for models." Guess again!
Another test that might great to see is how these paints hold up to being masked over.
I tested Tamiya tape over them yesterday for someone and it held up great. I'll show the tape in my follow up video on cheap Craft store metallic paints
I used all the time you can mix all kinds of stuff with cheap arylic experiment mix them. With food coloring
Kwick seal
Alex ross
Spackle.
Use for terrian.
To restore My Action Igures
Just started watching your channel and I enjoy it very much. Very informative channel and looking forward to binge watchinh all your videos. Aloha from Kansas
Hello from Rhode Island 👋 thanks for watching
Just started airbrushing now that I’m retired. Never tried it before, thank you so much for the comparison.
I’ve bought these paints to do acrylic pour painting so I have a bunch. Love the metallic purple you demonstrated!
Thanks again, you’ve got a subscriber from me. Keep up the great tutorials.
Thanks buddy and thanks for watching. Welcome to the channel
Wow that color shift was a GREAT experiment!! Thanks for these!
Yeah thats a great color 👍
Mr. Rex, Congratulations! You are the only airbrushing craft paint You Tuber to get thinning craft paint right. Isopropyl alcohol and ammonia(Windex) actually breakdown the acrylic resins. Windshield washer fluid(methanol) does not. Water is actually a bad thinner for two reasons. First, it takes way to long to dry. Second, too much surface tension-water would prefer to bead up rather than lay down. The only thing I would add is using a bit of flow-aid to help prevent tip clogging. I've subscribed to your channel. Thank you for this great tutorial. Bill
Great video.
I've been wondering about using these paints for model cars.
I'm definitely going to have to try them.
Thank you for this video.
I have painted many model car kits with the craft paint's, always come out great!, Clear with Rust-Oleum 2x gloss clear,wet sand and buff, amazing results! Great video!
Every time I watch a video I see I’m doing something wrong 😂…I’m the new guy here that just started air brushing a little over a week ago.i need to leave my air brush down and watch a bunch of your videos and then pick up the air brush and try.im struggling to mix my paint.Its the cheap kind.i dont want to waste expensive paint until i get better.Thanks again for the tips and tricks brother!Your craft will never die 🙏
I am building a RG wing gundam using the folklart craft paints and your brushing technique. It’s coming out amazing! I’m really thankful for your videos! It’s my first time air brushing and everything worked great! Love the videos
Dude your videos are awesome! I'm just getting into using my airbrush and I watch your videos constantly for tips and tricks.
Thanks Johnathan, welcome aboard 👍
Appreciate your videos and tips, very educational and informative. Regarding the hand-brushing, Acrylics always require 3, 4 or even up to 6 coats (even the hobby brands such as Vallejo) in my experience. Cheers, wishing you and family continued health
All the paint is gone because you're making so many awesome Videos and reviews of airbrush's that everyone want to try it! I know I went out and bought a airbrush kit that you reviewed because you did such a awesome job going over it. I felt I needed to try it. I painted a few truck models when I was 12 and I enjoyed it. Now 41 and wanting to give it a shot with some Rc body's! Love your Channel
Try brush-painting over a primered surface - the paint might be more even.
I had not thought of using Ceramcoat because it was so thick, but you've shown that they can be airbrushed. Thanks for the demonstration!
I have been thinking for years that modeling paints are the "scam of the century" but I also thought I was slightly biased in my considerations.
You have confirmed my experiences.
p.s.: i posted the comment before the brush test and i have to say you that is possible to use this paints on brush only if you use them extremely thinned, just a little before the water consistency. The more the surface the more you had to thin the paint. It requires time, patience ( 7\8 coats are quite normal for a 1\72 wing) and also some skills with the brush handling related to the pressure and the velocity of the brushstrokes but the money saving it's really big.
Great to see this. Thank you for running and documenting these experiments!
Thank you for an excellent video, don’t apologize we love it on the fly. Looking for a craft that my 12 yr old grandson would enjoy. I have lots of these cheap paints so this was perfect. Going to purchase a airbrush and give it a go. Thanks again.
You're welcome and thanks for watching
I've used the craft paints a couple of times when I did a custom aircraft and couldn't find the model paint the matched the aircraft's colors. I thinned mine with a 50/50 mix of water and pledge floor shine. The floor shine helped promote a bit of adhesion. I was still very hesitant to mask over the painted surface, but was able to do it with a gloss clear on top, and de-tacking the masking tape.
I would imagine that if you start with a decent selection at the store you could mix up some pretty convincing colours for aircraft and ships. Thx for the video.
I have just taken delivery of my first airbrush, and the compressor is ready to go. I am just waiting for an adapter that will allow me to connect the two together and I should be in business. While I am waiting, I have been binge watching your videos, and can only say how educational they have been, and I am hoping that I won't flounder as much as I probably would have if they hadn't been so useful. Keep up the good work, it's much appreciated.
Thanks for the kind words and for watching. Keep me posted
Thanks for putting this information out there. I have been using craft paints almost exclusively on all of my model building for years. First of all, I love the plethora of colors available and if I can't find the exact color I want on the shelf, I can easily custom mix the color I want. Secondly, price and value are definitely positives as I try to do everything on a budget. When I seen that you were going to be using the Folk Art Blue Flash, I knew that you were going to be pleased with the outcome. The first time that I used Folk Art's colorshift paint I used the Blue Flash as well. I shot it over light gray primer onto a 66 Olds 442 build I was doing (see my profile picture). The results were stunning and I have been hooked on the colorshifting paints ever since. However, I didn't know what it would do if it was shot over a gloss black paint. That purple was fantastic so now I'm going to give that a try on one of my future builds. What brand of gloss black did you use for that test?
For many of my Gloss Black Base coats I use Tamiya Gloss Black spray cans
I have several of those color shift paints and the metallics. I'm really glad I found your site to see you test them out. Amazing finishes.
I actually used black ceramcoat mixed with water to paint a refurbished metal firearm lower receiver with an airbrush. Many many thin coats on top of a lightly primed surface and it came out absolutely wonderful and has remained a great finish for months now. Sure it might not be as great as expensive coatings but it’s worked well for me and I would recommend it to anyone. No issues covering sanded JB Weld either.
Tip - the charcoal black is a perfect match for Heckler&Koch black.
Edit: I forgot to say thanks for the great video! Was a big help for me.
You're welcome buddy
The key to (bristle) brushing acrylic paints, especially craft paints, is a good primer. I've found that Stynylrez and gesso work perfectly (Stynylrez for anything, but gesso works great for miniatures as well, especially Reaper Bones). Oh, and all of the FolkArt Color Shift paints are ace over both.
I've been using these cheap craft paints on all my plastic models on top of oil-based primers and have had great results. You have to put a clear gloss over them to seal the paints before you put on decals. I love using the craft paints as they are very cheap, come in thousands of colors, are easy clean-up, even if you make a mistake on an oil-based prime it will wash off without staining, as long as you don't wait too long and most of all they can be used indoors because there is no solvent smell.
I was just looking at this kind of paint. It's everywhere. I didn't know if I could use it on models. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for sharing your windshield wiper fluid as airbrush medium trick. I am not going to waste any more money on the brand name 'made for airbrush' stuff from now on, nor will I use water or alcohol either. I've had great success with the Delta Ceramcoat paints brush painting (so long as I prime my plastic parts first...). I experimented with some some Ceramcoat in my airbrush once (using that airbrush branded media to thin it....) without good results and clogs. However, I was using an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS with 0.35 nozzle at about 20 psi. Perhaps I need to change my nozzle size to something larger like a 0.4 or 0.5? At any rate, great video about great paint. Here in Nebraska USA, we have the exact same supply problem with the craft paints, and Plaid's website states they are working to address the supply issue. Guess since everybody went on lockdown, they picked up crafting, model making, and miniature painting along with endless home improvement projects! What a difference spare time makes.
I have a huge drawer from my kids of the Apple brand acrylics and this will be great as I am getting back into modelling and have a good airbrush I need to learn to use!
I recently got several of the folkArt color shift paints from Michael's. Using only the brush technique I found them very transparent and not all that effective. But, there were a few instances where using them as a dry brush, it would still show the original color underneath, but have some awesome interest to the places that I dry brushed. In particular I painted the Nemesis larva with a Contrast Guilliman Flesh, then drybrushed FolkArt Color Shift Blue Flash. I think it looks amazing.
I’m just getting to resin kits, Godzilla stuff and your videos are extremely helpful. I really like the desk set up and tool videos you put up. I’m looking to start my first kit soon. Just a few more tools and some things to help organize the desk. So once again, thank you!
You're welcome buddy 👍thanks for watching
Love your video! I use this kind of paint on my statues and porcelain figurines with my airbrush and they look amazing. I use to thinner the Paint with window cleaner and a few drops of glycerine to keep the airbrush lubricated .
Glad I found your channel. Thanks for doing this. I've been wondering how these paints would work on plastic model work. Unfortunately, I've gone to two Michaels Art Supply stores in my area and for the past two years or so, their craft paint shelves have been virtually bare. As a matter of fact, a lot of their shelves have been bare. so much so that I asked employees if Michaels was going out of business. They said no but I have to wonder.
The Michaels near me is the same. They told me it's cause of the pandemic a d that every one is home doing crafts. But then I went to Hobby Lobby and Walmart up the road and they're both stocked up.
Thank you for this video. I just tested some "Decoart Crafter's Acrylic" metallic paint from Dollarama in Canada and it worked beautifully.
Another great informative video, showing how we can use the cheaper hobby paint to best use on the model kits.
Like you, when I see colour ranges being stopped, I go and buy up what they’re getting rid of.
You make Chris Chapman proud
I tend to add washer fluid first I think it’s easier to mix. I also put on Stynelrez primer
Thanks
Dwight how do you like the primer?
@@johnleonard974 excellent primer
Superb video!
The craft paint, applied with a brush, do wonderfully over a flat white primer or a white highlighted flat black primer. Have used Ceramcoat for 40 (Folkart for over 30) years and love them!
They have some really nice colors. My wife has a bunch of them and will be trying this out.
Excellent video. I'm totally new to this airbrushing and you make it look very simple. Great channel :)
Thanks and welcome
Thank you very much for your patience with this video,best video,best explanation,overall sir ,I can’t wait to try it,thanks a lot
Thank you very much. People like you inspire me to try it because I don't need to spend a lot to get into the hobby. I just buy a nice air compressor (The ones with a small tank) and will start with the cheap airbrush that comes with it. looking forward to upgrade the airbrush next month but cant wait to try.
I have a bunch of Decoart craft paint that I had purchased, intending to use for 40K terrain pieces. I had planned to hand brush it on... now I am 100% going to airbrush it on instead! Thank you for doing this test/demo for us!!
Anytime buddy. Thanks for watching
The Ceramcoat paints work well brushed over primed plastic. I use them for almost all of my miniature painting with excellent results. I started using them when I didn't have the money for expensive miniature branded paint. I can afford more expensive paint now, but I stick with Ceramcoat because they have great coverage and a very broad spectrum of colors.
Same here! I love the stuff for the price. 4x the price for half the oz just kills me
Agreed. I wanted to mention this as well. Brushed these kinds of paints over matte black primed miniatures for years now.
Thanks for the information. Just starting going to use on custom Christmas ornaments.
Excellent tutorial. Many thanks from Nova Scotia.
Hello Nova Scotia from the US
Excellent video! I just started airbrushing and this was exactly what I wanted to know. At this point for me, I can't afford to spend $100s of dollars building up a stock of airbrush paints
These paints work great. I've had several subscribers write me saying this type of paint is all they use. I'll be testing a bunch of the metallics soon also
that "colour shift" over the chrome spoon looks to be a BRILLIANT "silver" for a spacey future scratch built rocket ship !
Thank you for the RnD. You've saved me a fortune in paint.
Nice video. Color shift paint, you can use silver , gold , or black as a base. All 3 will come out a different finish color. I been using types of craft paint over the last 6 years with a airbrush, and it is one of the most versatile paints I've seen. You can mix colors to make a unique color with ease. I mainly use on anime figures.
I yeah, this stuff is easy and versatile. 👍
Great video. I'm just getting started into model and mini painting. This is a big help. Picked up a bottle of the DecoArt black paints to test with and glad to see it wasn't a total idiot move.
Being a long time artist and master modeler, I have always done my painting free hand with a brush never used an airbrush until absolutely nessesary. Things just scared the hell out of me, this video helped me get fantastic understanding of mixing ratios with my acrylics so I dont f up my airbrush. This really helped me feel more comfortable using the damn thing especially on my models
I used these paint for my re painting action figures. They work great. Never used them in an airbrush thanks for the tips
Thank you for these reviews. Very helpful and saves me money .
To paint straight from the bottle you need to prime surface first. I use Home Depot white primer paint for my big statues and paint the very small details with brush. Hope it helps.
Thank you for this well organized and presented trial/demo
I've used the
You are absolutely correct, definitely need a primer for brushing it
Thanks so much for testing. Re: handbrushing - from some of the videos I've seen, these spoons are ABS plastic a dif. Chemical make-up to Polystyrene & very glossy so hand-brushing paint will slide off. Other Videos recommend to prime 1st, then use several light (thinned) coats to hide brush strokes. I'll let You know how it turns out (on a piece of styrene) when I start up on models as I had Covid, Pneumonia then a Blood Clot all within same year as 3rd Covid Shot, still recup. THIS Yr can only be better! lol
I build and paint wargame miniatures and models and I have been using these paints for several years, Never have tried airbrushing it so I will have to try your technique. I build plastic, resin and metal miniatures with some kit bashed with all three materials. I have found that by first spraying them with a complete primer coat of flat black and then a downward spray of flat white leaving the undersides of the minis black. The Ceramcoat type paint goes on quite well in one coat and the black and white combination give a nice base shadowing effect.
What a great video! Thank you for taking the time to show all of this content as well as within a quality video! These color arrangements from what you had to work with is very impressive and gets the mind working on the creativity levels! Youll never know if you do not try, right!?
Absolutely. Experimenting with this stuff is half the joy. Thanks for watching
That color shift over black looks awesome!
Awesome. I use a bunch of the folk art ones from Walmart. Works great for chassis’ and floor pans. The ones you should try are the Folk Art brushed metal line from Walmart. I was very impressed. I thinned mine 60/40 with washer fluid. 👍👍
Hi. I'm 3 months late but is that 60 paint : 40 washer fluid
@@brandangrier477 40 paint / 60 thinner. I’ve had to go as far as 70/30 because some are so thick. Remember, lots of mist coats. Don’t try and cover in 3-4 coats.👍👍
@@bigchef2112 thank you a lot for replying, especially so fast! I appreciate the tips.
I really like the Apple barrel paint if water tomorrow I'll try with some windshield washer fluid and see if I like it as much as a water
Great video
What do you use to seal these acrylic paints?
Thanks for showing budget friendly options
You get the best results from color shift paint if you paint the model flat black. That goes for rattle can Model Master Colorshift, Turbo Dorks, Vallejo, and any other brand. I used Testors on a Star Wars Legion Land Speeder and it looks slick! (I didn't want to paint it slop brown like everyone else). I tried to use the Apple Barrel/Folk Art color shift on my 32mm scale Sabine Wren figure on her Mandalorian armor, but it didn't work out, the armor pieces were too small to get the right effect. One day I'll get some Vallejo or Turbo Dork to try it on a miniature's armor.
Thanks for the info mr Rex . Very helpful for anyone with hobby’s. Especially for us new guys that are investing a lot at the beginning and are trying to find ways to do there hobby and not break the bank to bad lol. Thanks again and Happy holidays.
Bought a bunch of craft paints (acrylics) from Wallyworld today. So far they are working just fine. Need a lot of thinning, but other than that, coverage and levelling is good. Also dry quickly!
I don't paint models but I do like to paint with my airbrush from time to time. I've never heard of using windshield wiper fluid but it has alcohol in it so why not. I'll have to try it. Thanks for the video!
good video thanks you have a new subscriber. look forward to future vids. hard to believe cheap paint can look so good but seeing is beliving
Wow, really good information. I use these paints for hand-brushing details (windows, figures, etc.) on my railroad layout. I'm excited to try them with my airbrush. Thank you.
Thanks for watching
Damn! Another Excellent Excellent video. Thank you.
Holly "clean windshield batman" It does seem the washer fluid is the ticket to thinning these paints. I cant wait to try it. Thanks for the review.!
Very nice video, Im a real neubi to air brush, I really like this video, I thought I had to buy 5.00$ paints to make it work, I have 15 bottles of outdoor paints from a craft store for bird houses, Im going to thin them out and air brush the bird houses - this should be fun ... thanks again for this very useful video... take care...
that color shift on black looks like the perfrct purple for a hg rik dom kit in line here... great test
I finally got me an airbrush (the ones with the portable USB compressor) and have been rewatching some of your videos to get started with airbrushing. I just watched the video on making your homemade thinner and cleaner for acrylics and this one back to back. I was just curious why you went with the windshield washer fluid here as your thinner instead of your Distilled Water/IsoAlcohol/Flow Improver/Retarder mix?
Thx!! I have been using acrylics almost exclusively on my model cars .. did 57 Belair in blue flash had good results and 55 Ford F100 in Createx Acrylic Pearl Green (did video) and had good results thx! again
I use a gloss black paint I found at michaels for $1, I use it thick as is for brush and I put some in a tamiya jar and thinned it out for airbrush use. Great stuff
You can thin this with “future” now sold as pledge revive it floor gloss to make it come out less matte and more glossy to start with instead of using windshield wiper fluid. Chris Chapman was the first guy I saw doing it. He has a video on TH-cam from 2014 describing his thinning and showing him spraying a car.
You can brush paint it over primed plastic but it takes more coats than other acrylics and enamels for sure.
I have Pledge Floor Gloss so I will try it out, thanks for the tip.
@@barbatosrex9473 looking forward to it!
Thanks a ton for the demonstration and It basically answered all my questions lol. Subbed and looking forward to your next content.
Thanks Andrew, welcome aboard.
I use Decoart great stuff. But i pour it through a screen thats used in a gas can. Its amazing what that catches and i dont have issues plugging my airbrush.
When you're hand brushing it, I bet it would coat a little easier over a primed surface. That glossy plastic of the spoons is slippery. Give it something to grab onto and I think it may work better. Great video sir! You have a new subscriber.
Good point Michael. I'm going to try that out and see what happens.
Great vid again and really enjoying your content both in the amount of vids you are putting out and the subject matters. I'm blown away by just how good these cheap paints are and how well they airbrush. Keep up the great work and all the best for Christmas and the New Year. You guys are doing it tough in the states at the moment and our thoughts in Australia are with you.
Thanks for the great feedback. You subscribers are all great people.
Could I use mr. Color leveling thinner to thin craft acrylic? Or would it take too much to thin and therefore become expensive? Which of the 2 do you recommend? Mr color or the washer fluid?
I use these a lot for a lot of inside cockpit or other detail work. They work great'
The color shifting paint is available at Walmart as is the rose gold. One hard to find color is competition orange for some model engine blocks.