Enamel Paint for Glossies (1 Viewer)

[Wolfgang_UK]

For painting my armies of gloss Toy Soldiers I mainly use the traditional brands of Revell and Humbrol Enamel colours. I like both for their high gloss finnish. Recently I was lucky to fetch some MOLAK paint tins. This italian brand does excellent Enamel paints and I really like these paints a lot. Even though I think that almost any hue of paint can be realised by useing the available paints of Humbrol and (or) Revell I still would fancy a wider range of different colours available without having to mix them.
Now I recently came across the Xtracolor Enamel paint range - wich is made available by Hannants UK - but I have never used them before. What confuses me about these paints, is that I really can not find any clear statement if this range is high gloss (which I am after) or semi-gloss. I wonder if some Forum members can share a little information about these paints. There is a rather wide range of colours available and it would be great to add some to my stock, providing they are really giving me a high gloss finnish for my troops.
Anybody got any more information or knowledge about any other enamel paint ranges I would be happy to hear.
regards
Wolfgang

 

[Mike Niederman]

Reviews of Xtracolor on modelling sites say that it's a fine glossy paint, but takes time to dry.
What do different glossy toy soldier makers use? From 1946-66 Britains used Humbrols; prewar they had a master paint mixer who made his colours from raw pigments. Bill Hocker uses Testors "in the little bottles", and always mixes his own colours to attain the tones of interwar Britains painting. Hiriart uses Sherwin-Williams, a brand of house paint (cans visible in the Workshop threads on this site). Beau Geste uses a variety of brands, as far as I can see from their workshop photos, then unifies the finish with an overall gloss coat.
Andy Partridge has an interesting essay explaining his philosophy of toy soldier painting. You can find it at the bottom of the page on his Deutsche Homage 42mm figures on the Irregular Miniatures site. He uses Humbrol and Revell enamels, and mixes to get the tones found on Britains' Paris Office figures. One thing he is opposed to is the use of gloss varnishes. In fact, he argues against ultra high gloss finishes per se. And against too-precise painting. It's a thought-provoking read.

 

[blaster]

For my toy soldier finishes, I use Humbrol enamels. In the past, Polyurethane varnishes had a tendency to darken over the years. I now use a product from Talens Decorfin. This produces a very tough and glossy coat and never darkens. It is a very tough acrylic varnish and is applied when the enamels are dried.

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

Reviews of Xtracolor on modelling sites say that it's a fine glossy paint, but takes time to dry.
What do different glossy toy soldier makers use? From 1946-66 Britains used Humbrols; prewar they had a master paint mixer who made his colours from raw pigments. Bill Hocker uses Testors "in the little bottles", and always mixes his own colours to attain the tones of interwar Britains painting. Hiriart uses Sherwin-Williams, a brand of house paint (cans visible in the Workshop threads on this site). Beau Geste uses a variety of brands, as far as I can see from their workshop photos, then unifies the finish with an overall gloss coat.
Andy Partridge has an interesting essay explaining his philosophy of toy soldier painting. You can find it at the bottom of the page on his Deutsche Homage 42mm figures on the Irregular Miniatures site. He uses Humbrol and Revell enamels, and mixes to get the tones found on Britains' Paris Office figures. One thing he is opposed to is the use of gloss varnishes. In fact, he argues against ultra high gloss finishes per se. And against too-precise painting. It's a thought-provoking read.

Hi Mike,

thank you very much for your detailed answer. Good to know that the paint is glossy and will therefore suit my need. Interesting to hear about different companies and their use of paint as well - was all new to me. I find it to be an interesting subject which deserves to be investigated. Allways have and will love those "BEHIND THE SCENES" reports.
Your advise to visit the Irregular Miniatures site proofed to be most interesting. I had not heared about the company before so it was really rewarding to visit their HP. I like it when people make their points clear and explain why. Anyway brilliant advise, thank you very much for your answer and sharing the information. Just ordered some tinlets of XTRACOLOR paints that where offered to me - now I will see for myself how they are .... - I will let you know how they perform once tested.
Kind Regards - stay healthy

Wolfgang

 

[theBaron]

Don't forget that you can use matte colors, too, and then seal the figure with a gloss medium. I use various brands of paint, because I'll buy a specific color rather than try to mix it. I use enamels and acrylics, both gloss and matte, to paint my toy soldiers. Those include Testors, Tamiya, Andrea, Vallejo, and arts&crafts brands. But I seal everything with a gloss medium (Future clear acrylic floor polish).

Prost!
Brad

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

For my toy soldier finishes, I use Humbrol enamels. In the past, Polyurethane varnishes had a tendency to darken over the years. I now use a product from Talens Decorfin. This produces a very tough and glossy coat and never darkens. It is a very tough acrylic varnish and is applied when the enamels are dried.

Hi Victor,

thank you for your reply. I like the attached photos, very nice and colorfull figurines with a lot of charme. Gloss varnish on gloss paint - that never came up my mind. Got to try it out myself soon. Thank you very much indeed.
Kind Regrads - stay healthy
Wolfgang

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

Don't forget that you can use matte colors, too, and then seal the figure with a gloss medium. I use various brands of paint, because I'll buy a specific color rather than try to mix it. I use enamels and acrylics, both gloss and matte, to paint my toy soldiers. Those include Testors, Tamiya, Andrea, Vallejo, and arts&crafts brands. But I seal everything with a gloss medium (Future clear acrylic floor polish).

Prost!
Brad

#

Hi Brad

thank you very much for your reply. So far I painted my glossies in a similar way. I come to believe that painting figurines with Enamel paint still gives the best results. But that is of cause a matter of personal taste. Anyway having read the statement on Painting on the suggested Irregular Minatures HP I must say that the author has a point. Food of thaught anyway.

Kind Regards - stay healthy

Wolfgang