Non Citadel paints

[Plaguecaster]

Hey everyone I was just wondering can you use paint that is not from Citadel to paint warhammer 40k models and does it work just as good because I got given a few model paints called "Hambrol paints" by a family relative but do not want to paint my models at the moment in case the paint does not look good, this would help me a lot if someone could help.

cheers

[Jacinda]

Feel free to use what ever paints you like.

 

[ETA]

I am not familiar with that line of paints, but a quick google search shows Humbrol make wide range craft and hobby paints including paints intended for models. They may be bright and shiny but that is easily fixed with a matte clear coat which also helps to protect the painted model. If you want bright and shiny then don't worry about it. Just remember that the water based acrylics are much easier to work with and do not require anything more than tap water to clean up with.

 

What you will find commonly used here are GW's, velejo and P3 paints. Often people will use some of all 3 depending on the shade they want. I also use a lot of the dollar store craft paints that I have thinned down for doing bases and terrain.

[IdOfEntity]

What you will find commonly used here are GW's, velejo and P3 paints. Often people will use some of all 3 depending on the shade they want. I also use a lot of the dollar store craft paints that I have thinned down for doing bases and terrain.

 

Don't forget Reaper paints!

 

@OP - Acrylics are the way to start in the hobby, but you're not limited by anything really. I've seen cases where lacquer (tyranid carapace) and oil paints (for excellent wet blending) used. As long as the paint will adhere to the surface you can use pretty much anything. And you'll develop your preferences pretty quickly as well.

[Jamafore]

I myself use Testors acrylics and they work very well

[ShadowSong7007]

Honestly I have found the paint from Folk Art works wonders. Its in 2oz. bottles and you can buy them from Wal-mart. It's something like 97¢ a bottle and I haven't had any problem with them. They are a little thick but its easy to squirt some out and thin it since they come in squirt bottles.

 

P.S. Almost forgot, they are also known as Apple Barrel. I have the list of colors and their GW equivalent floating around some where. When I get out of class I'll throw it on here.

[Thirdfox]

Since Citadel paints are a little tough to find where i come from, i use Tamiya acrylics, which are roughly around $2 here. They've got a lot of colors which are excellent substitutes for most of the ones on GW's palette. They're kinda thick so i just use a few drops of 70% isopropyl alcohol to thin them.

[IdOfEntity]

Since Citadel paints are a little tough to find where i come from, i use Tamiya acrylics, which are roughly around $2 here. They've got a lot of colors which are excellent substitutes for most of the ones on GW's palette. They're kinda thick so i just use a few drops of 70% isopropyl alcohol to thin them.

 

Are they not water soluble? It's a shame you can't get the Citadel Paints. For the most part they give excellent coverage, though they can be a bit pricey. The only ones I've found to be better for my paint style is Vallejo.

[Thirdfox]

Since Citadel paints are a little tough to find where i come from, i use Tamiya acrylics, which are roughly around $2 here. They've got a lot of colors which are excellent substitutes for most of the ones on GW's palette. They're kinda thick so i just use a few drops of 70% isopropyl alcohol to thin them.

 

Are they not water soluble? It's a shame you can't get the Citadel Paints. For the most part they give excellent coverage, though they can be a bit pricey. The only ones I've found to be better for my paint style is Vallejo.

 

They are water-soluble but after a few days of experimenting, i find that rubbing alcohol gives the paint better consistency and texture than distilled water. I might try Tamiya's own acrylic thinner next week though.

[bahamutzer0]

My friend got me onto using P3 paints as they are just as good as Citadel, contain a little more paint and are cheaper, get more and payless!

 

They also have a lot of colors that Citadel does not make although getting used to the names for their colors can take a while as some are named for Warmachine faction colors and such.

[Purge]

folk art paints for the majority of base colors. GW paints for the special metal or bright colors. Testors for the air brushing of very large items, but only if it is watered down. I find the testors to be too shiney at times. I even used a very shiney blue paint once with metal flecks in it because I had like 50 guys to paint all at once. $3 a can and some base colors and I was done in like a day.

[AngryJohnny]

@teutonicavenger: I've never heard of that specific brand, but you shouldn't have any troubles using them. The only thing to remember is to ensure that you're able to thin the pain to the right consistency. I like to thin my paint to the consistency of milk and use a few layers. Comes out nice & smooth that way.

 

Personally I use Testor's Model Master Acryl paints. They work wonderfully & they have just about any color/shade you could dream of. The other thing I really like about the Testor's Model Master is they have an extremely flat matte finish to them, which is really nice for our little toy soldiers.

[Redfinger]

Humbrol are lacquer based paint, very smelly, and use a lot among AFV/Military modelers. In my experience they work well for airbrushing, but brushing tends to be a little more difficult over larger areas do to the fast catalyst nature of the paint. I generally use Vallejo and Oil Paint, though I have a project coming up where I will use exclusively P3 paints as a test.

 

Ashton

[Vodunius]

I think Humbrol do acrylics now as well but they used to just make enamels - the downside of enamels is that they stink and you need toxic chemicals (white spirit) to clean your brushes and thin them down. On the upside they typically cover in one coat and dry incredibly thin. I know of at least one Games Workshop store that paints the display models with enamels instead of Citadel Colour (the look on the redshirts face when he realised there was a customer in the store whilst he was telling another redshirt was priceless).

[Redfinger]

I think Humbrol do acrylics now as well but they used to just make enamels - the downside of enamels is that they stink and you need toxic chemicals (white spirit) to clean your brushes and thin them down. On the upside they typically cover in one coat and dry incredibly thin. I know of at least one Games Workshop store that paints the display models with enamels instead of Citadel Colour (the look on the redshirts face when he realised there was a customer in the store whilst he was telling another redshirt was priceless).

 

 

Correct they do acrylics, but they are not a water based acrylic, they are more like an acrylic enamel.

 

Ashton

[darkenedsquire]

I personally can't stand humbrol paints they always feel to thick and thinning them has always been a hassle for me I use almost exclusively Vellejo with a few GW thing such as their inks are a god send and certain foundation paints like mechrite red I couldn't live without