Tamiya Paint

[novicelad]

Hi All

So as I near the end of my first build I thought I would get some paint, but I did not realise the paint was so expensive! 

Any alternatives available? 

 

[Percymon]

For lexan there are a few other brands to the Tamiya PS paints.  Core RC sold by modelsport being one- alternative brands work just the same but you are more limited in colour range (Core RC at modeslport 31 colours versus 62 for Tamiya). the Cor RC cans are bigger volume and a pound less in price.

The other issue with buying paint over the net is the shipping costs - its pretty much only couriers now that will carry it, so cheap second class postage is a thing of the past.  Far better to find a local model shop if you can.

For hard bodies like the Sand Scorcher, Blitzer Beetle, Bruiser etc then automotive paint can be used as an alternative to Tamiyas TS range - just painted my Rough Rider shell with Halfords white plastic primer, followed by Vauxhall Ardent Blue and VW Reflex silver, all topped with clear.  

 

Whilst the Tamiya cans are pretty small they do generally give very good coverage - even one of the larger lexan stadium truck / truggy bodies can be painted with a single can of paint provided you are efficient

[Percymon]

For your DT-03 you need lexan / polycarbonate paints - leave the protective film on the outside of the shell , wash, dry and paint the inside of the shell.  Remove film and apply decals to outside 

[novicelad]

OK so I made the mistake of looking on ebay, some online shops do it around £5.99 a can so that's better.

Thanks for the tips Percymon!  

[TWINSET]

Keep an eye on the postage/overall costs though - Royal Mail won't knowingly transport aerosols any more as some domestic post may travel by air, so shops tend to use couriers - eBay sellers sometimes offer free postage or just stick it in the post anyway (even though they're not supposed to)

[JatoTheRipper]

Paint is expensive.  I think it's because chemicals are expensive to manufacture in the modern day, environmentally friendly world.  Tamiya is the most expensive here in the US.  I can get a Duratrax (formerly Pactra) can which is roughly twice the size of the Tamiya can for virtually the same price.  The quality is very similar.  I buy Duratrax unless my preferred color is only offered by Tamiya or if I like Tamiya's shade of said color better.

[topforcein]

i don't use tamiya paint any more as i have had to many problems with it i used to use custom colours but you can't get that any more. so i started useing automotive paint and i get it from 

https://www.specialistpaints.com/ 

it comes in 400ml cans they also can mix colours i have used it on a few shells know and have had brilliant results and if your gonna do a hard shell i highly recomend the 2k clear. this is the results from my last shell. the 2k clear when on like the pic shows i have'nt  needed to do anything to it to achieve that finish. the base coat and the colour coat also went on perfect.