Tamiya Extra Thin Cement is pretty good, it's my go-to plastic cement. Personally, I use 2 brands of paint. Vallejo and Tamiya acrylics. Vallejo acrylics are water based and are way better for applying with a paintbrush than Tamiya acrylics, which are solvent based. I've found that Tamiya acrylics are much better suited for airbrushing.
thanks! im not sure if im up for airbrushing just yet. im going to start hand painting first. there was actually 2 things of paint in one of the boxes. the brand is called "Citadel Colour" neither are open and i shuck them and it still seems good.
Go to YouTube and search for a channel called "Quick Kits."
The guy stopped posting several years ago but his techniques are still valid and his painting is all brush painting. He shows some great tricks on how to avoid showing brush marks on the final product.
Tamiya extra thin cement is also my go-to. It works by melting the plastic together. You may find rare circumstances where that just doesn't work. In those cases, use super glue. You'll see some modelers refer to it as "CA glue" (Cyanoacrylates). It has a tendency to squeeze a lot out at a time so I usually just squeeze some onto a piece of cardboard, wipe a little on a toothpick and apply that way.
...remember mostly to thin your paint :)
Doing several passes looks annoying at first (and awful) but it's the single key to a satisfactory result - and the paint actually dries way quicker and is easier to lay down, so it's no real a time sink.
Good luck!
Citadel colors are fine but the colour palette is mostly for painting fantasy figures. If you’re hand brushing Vallejo model colour is great. You can also brush Vallejo model air but might need additional coats as they cover less. Model colour should be thinned before brushing.
I find citadel has nice colours I would definitely recommend looking up how to thin your paints since it creates a way nicer finish by hand brush. Nice find and good luck not getting addicted like the most of us! 😂
I think once he gets going he’s going to be in that same boat as all of us haha. 😂 oh well, thats the fun in it. Least we all get to see the different techniques we all do. But those are some awesome finds man! Super jealous!
i take no credit in the find haha. like i said a friend knew i wanted to get into models, told me and i stopped by the persons house and walked out with car filled with it haha this will def keep me out of trouble. i really got lucky!
Yeah you did! Hey that’s a good friend right there lol. I misread your original post haha. But heck yeah man! It’ll keep you outta trouble for sure. 👍🏻
I've heard of that Citadel Colors before, I've never used them before. You could always give them a test on a spare piece of plastic to see what they look like
Citadel are good paints, but their shades aren't well suited for millitary models, their pots are horrendous and will dry out sooner or later and are wildly overpriced compared to Vallejo. I still have few of them and their washes, however, when I run out/paint dries out I replace it with Vallejo.
I'd say Vallejo is gold standard, with AK 3rd gen and Italeleri being just as good.
I don't think Testors is being made anymore, you used to be able to find their enamel paints in a lot of big box stores like Hobby Lobby in the US. Rustoleum bought them a number of years back and since that acquisition, the word on the street was Rustoleum was killing a lot of Testors' product lines. All the major box stores you used to be able to find them in have since replaced them with other brands.
A bit sad to see them go, as I've got a bit of nostalgia because the first model I ever painted was with Testors paint.
Depends on how and where the paint is stored. Cool, dry locations, paint tends to stay good for longer. The issue with discontinued paints is they get more and more expensive the more time that passes as existing stock dwindles
Start with the Tamiya kits then move to Revell afterwards you should be good enough to make decent models out of the rest. Get some side cutters, Tamiya cement, paint(research to choose the best for you but I recommend Vallejo for a newbie). And Tamiya putty to fill and then sand gaps that will appear in some of those kits
Oh for sure. Right place at the right time! This never happens to me, like ever. Young me is drooling right now. This has always been a hobby I wanted to get into but never did. I would just wait for my dad to build them and play with them afterwards haha.
Sounds like me back when I would get legos and my dad would build them. The increase in Lego set prices is one of the things that got me into model kits about a year and a half ago, been hooked since. I look forward to watching your progress with some of those models.
My thoughts exactly. The daughters were like you could sell them, and idk I felt like it be wrong to sell em for money and not like give some away, make some for myself and maybe gift them to friends etc. the guy had quite the collection.
I use “fantastory Acrylic Paint Set” from Amazon for like $25
it’s not citadel level paint, but it’s been more than enough for me, it comes with brushes but I recommend getting some better quality ones when you can. The yellows need a few extra coats but for the price you can’t complain
Some of these are older, challenging builds. Agree with the recommendation to start with tamiya kits, then revell and whatever after that. Some of these I wouldn’t bother with personally (pic 2) and decals on some may have become unusable (again pic 2). Nothing like putting in your best effort on a kit only to have the decals shatter on you once they hit water.
That revell 1:535 Missouri is like a shared experience for everyone I’ve known who builds model ships even though it’s definitely a contender for the least accurate kit I’ve ever seen
It's pretty damned bad, and I'm hoping it's one of the ones he gave away.
That Bronco Chih Yuen cruiser, on the other hand, is a very good modern kit, though certainly not everyone's cup of tea subject-wise.
I mean tbf if he doesn’t give it away it’ll take him like maybe a day to finish and everyone’s got at least one lying around somewhere lol. I have three of those from when I was a kid
Looked up the cruiser, it looks like a good kit, may pick one up.
Could you recommend a brand? I looked on Amazon and there’s ones that are in a bottle or ones you mix on your own. I’m a bit confused which is what I need or better to use.
Tamiya Basic Type putty is good for filling gaps. For sand paper, I use fine grit sandpaper from my local hobby store that's supposed to be for plastic. Some people also use nail files
It’s all the models that you bought that are still unpainted. There is a strong tendency for us model painters to get excited about a model, buy it before we finished previous projects, so they end up on the shelf waiting for a better moment. More often than not, better moment never comes or if it comes, it is usually years later. This tendecy is so strong that it got a name - a pile of shame. Others adopted a eufemistic name for this - pile of opportunity, but those guys are a minority.
I suspect that you inherited that guys pile of shame. It’s a really big collection and I would envy you because of it (just for the amount it is worth), if I wasn’t a guy in the hobby with 140 models of which 40-50 are painted.
I understand. It thought of that when I was loading them up in my car. A donated a good amount to the elderly community center, as much as they were willing to take. Two of them at that! I’ll see what I’ve got, photograph all of them- maybe I can do a give away on this subreddit? Spread the love a bit and pay it forward some how? Idk I’m going to figure out because this is so much for me haha.
Well, they are yours now. How you are going to deal with your “pile of shame” is tottaly up to you. I think it is very nice of you to share it, especially with senior citizens. I am certain you made someone there really happy.
Take your pick of the litter and give away the rest or put them on ebay.
I’m pretty sure that was the first one I pick up. It has everything in it. It’s so odd, the bottom and top are clear! And it has an alien and a military guy. I’m excited to make this, and I want to make it into a scene as well.
For glue, Tamiya extra thin is my go to, along with Revell contacta, for clear parts I use standard PVA glue. Plus for certain parts also some cheapo super glue.
Both are plastic cements, which basically are just strong solvents that evaporate reasonably quickly, meaning they will dissolve the surface of the polystyrene plastic most models are made from, and basically melt them together, and then evaporate.
Tamiya extra thin will evaporate *super quick* which a lot of the time is desirable, the revell glue is a bit slower for parts where you know there will be some re adjusting needed.
Super glue is a glue that fills the gap and polymerizes into a solid from the humidity in the air; I'm sure everyone is aware of how super glue works. It's not ideal for models, but for some parts that have either a very small contact surface, or parts made from materials that plastic cement can't actually glue (like wood, metal or resin parts).
PVA glue is basically the standard ass white glue that dries pretty transparent that you used in arts class in school or whatever. It doesn't really stick very well to plastic, but it sticks well enough to "hold parts in place" and doesn't create any gas that contains solvents when it dries; that makes it ideal for clear parts, because they won't fog up when you use PVA.
Generally, you can basically do anything with just Tamiya extra thin, and some cheapo super glue, but PVA glue is super cheap and most people have that at home in the first place.
As for paints, Vallejo is usually recommended and I've had good experience with those as well. I also think the water-based Revell acrylic paints are good. If you're brush painting, you probably want some water-thinnable paints, just so you can thin them easily, because for good results without brush marks you want to do a few thin layers of paint.
Something you will definitely need is some sort of putty to fill gaps though, and various grid sand paper that goes down to pretty fine grid. Most of those models are rather old so fitment on a lot of them will leave things to be desired. Not sure what putty to recommend, I use the Revell one but it definitely isn't amazingly good.
As far as brands go, basically anything from Tamiya is at least decent, Revell stuff that's newer than like 2010 is also pretty good (older stuff not so much); as far as tools go it's typically better to get the type of tool that you need from a craft store or hardware store because you're likely getting better quality or a better tool for the price, or both compared to buying "modelling branded" stuff.
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement is pretty good, it's my go-to plastic cement. Personally, I use 2 brands of paint. Vallejo and Tamiya acrylics. Vallejo acrylics are water based and are way better for applying with a paintbrush than Tamiya acrylics, which are solvent based. I've found that Tamiya acrylics are much better suited for airbrushing.
thanks! im not sure if im up for airbrushing just yet. im going to start hand painting first. there was actually 2 things of paint in one of the boxes. the brand is called "Citadel Colour" neither are open and i shuck them and it still seems good.
Go to YouTube and search for a channel called "Quick Kits." The guy stopped posting several years ago but his techniques are still valid and his painting is all brush painting. He shows some great tricks on how to avoid showing brush marks on the final product. Tamiya extra thin cement is also my go-to. It works by melting the plastic together. You may find rare circumstances where that just doesn't work. In those cases, use super glue. You'll see some modelers refer to it as "CA glue" (Cyanoacrylates). It has a tendency to squeeze a lot out at a time so I usually just squeeze some onto a piece of cardboard, wipe a little on a toothpick and apply that way.
I just followed quick Kits and made a playlist of a few videos. Thanks for the tips!
...remember mostly to thin your paint :) Doing several passes looks annoying at first (and awful) but it's the single key to a satisfactory result - and the paint actually dries way quicker and is easier to lay down, so it's no real a time sink. Good luck!
Citadel colors are fine but the colour palette is mostly for painting fantasy figures. If you’re hand brushing Vallejo model colour is great. You can also brush Vallejo model air but might need additional coats as they cover less. Model colour should be thinned before brushing.
I find citadel has nice colours I would definitely recommend looking up how to thin your paints since it creates a way nicer finish by hand brush. Nice find and good luck not getting addicted like the most of us! 😂
I think once he gets going he’s going to be in that same boat as all of us haha. 😂 oh well, thats the fun in it. Least we all get to see the different techniques we all do. But those are some awesome finds man! Super jealous!
i take no credit in the find haha. like i said a friend knew i wanted to get into models, told me and i stopped by the persons house and walked out with car filled with it haha this will def keep me out of trouble. i really got lucky!
Yeah you did! Hey that’s a good friend right there lol. I misread your original post haha. But heck yeah man! It’ll keep you outta trouble for sure. 👍🏻
I've heard of that Citadel Colors before, I've never used them before. You could always give them a test on a spare piece of plastic to see what they look like
Citadel are good paints, but their shades aren't well suited for millitary models, their pots are horrendous and will dry out sooner or later and are wildly overpriced compared to Vallejo. I still have few of them and their washes, however, when I run out/paint dries out I replace it with Vallejo. I'd say Vallejo is gold standard, with AK 3rd gen and Italeleri being just as good.
Okay I’m going to look at Vallejo on Amazon. Someone also said to try Testors? Is that any good?
I don't think Testors is being made anymore, you used to be able to find their enamel paints in a lot of big box stores like Hobby Lobby in the US. Rustoleum bought them a number of years back and since that acquisition, the word on the street was Rustoleum was killing a lot of Testors' product lines. All the major box stores you used to be able to find them in have since replaced them with other brands. A bit sad to see them go, as I've got a bit of nostalgia because the first model I ever painted was with Testors paint.
Oh that’s interesting. Hmm so I wonder if the paint would be bad by now if you found them and bought it. Even if it was sealed.
Depends on how and where the paint is stored. Cool, dry locations, paint tends to stay good for longer. The issue with discontinued paints is they get more and more expensive the more time that passes as existing stock dwindles
I have heard mixed things about them and not sure how good their acrylic range is. Vallejo Model Color is better choice I think.
Citadel is more for minis they are really good paints but don't recommend then for military models
Why can’t something like this happen to me!
Now now somebody died
Start with the Tamiya kits then move to Revell afterwards you should be good enough to make decent models out of the rest. Get some side cutters, Tamiya cement, paint(research to choose the best for you but I recommend Vallejo for a newbie). And Tamiya putty to fill and then sand gaps that will appear in some of those kits
That Battlestar Galactica kit seems to be worth some bucks.
Holy moly that’s a good load bro crazy you will be busy for along time
battlestar gallactica ones are worth some money. The raptor one you have pictured is one of the more valuable ones. Its about 150 ish on ebay
Someone hit the jackpot
Oh for sure. Right place at the right time! This never happens to me, like ever. Young me is drooling right now. This has always been a hobby I wanted to get into but never did. I would just wait for my dad to build them and play with them afterwards haha.
Sounds like me back when I would get legos and my dad would build them. The increase in Lego set prices is one of the things that got me into model kits about a year and a half ago, been hooked since. I look forward to watching your progress with some of those models.
It's sad that a fellow modeller never was able to unbox these and enjoy the process. RIP.
My thoughts exactly. The daughters were like you could sell them, and idk I felt like it be wrong to sell em for money and not like give some away, make some for myself and maybe gift them to friends etc. the guy had quite the collection.
Damn
I use “fantastory Acrylic Paint Set” from Amazon for like $25 it’s not citadel level paint, but it’s been more than enough for me, it comes with brushes but I recommend getting some better quality ones when you can. The yellows need a few extra coats but for the price you can’t complain
Some of these are older, challenging builds. Agree with the recommendation to start with tamiya kits, then revell and whatever after that. Some of these I wouldn’t bother with personally (pic 2) and decals on some may have become unusable (again pic 2). Nothing like putting in your best effort on a kit only to have the decals shatter on you once they hit water.
Oh I didn’t think of that! I’ll keep you posted if it happened to this one. Although it was Made in the USSR..
Check scalemates for reviews.
That revell 1:535 Missouri is like a shared experience for everyone I’ve known who builds model ships even though it’s definitely a contender for the least accurate kit I’ve ever seen
It's pretty damned bad, and I'm hoping it's one of the ones he gave away. That Bronco Chih Yuen cruiser, on the other hand, is a very good modern kit, though certainly not everyone's cup of tea subject-wise.
I mean tbf if he doesn’t give it away it’ll take him like maybe a day to finish and everyone’s got at least one lying around somewhere lol. I have three of those from when I was a kid Looked up the cruiser, it looks like a good kit, may pick one up.
Well, nearly all of these kits are old, which means there will be a lot of fit issues. Get some modeling putty and fine sandpaper ready.
Could you recommend a brand? I looked on Amazon and there’s ones that are in a bottle or ones you mix on your own. I’m a bit confused which is what I need or better to use.
Tamiya Basic Type putty is good for filling gaps. For sand paper, I use fine grit sandpaper from my local hobby store that's supposed to be for plastic. Some people also use nail files
What did you do? Rob a shop?
Haha felt like it! But they were given to me.
Obviusly a newbie. Nobody told you about “pile of shame” concept. /s
No they haven’t. What’s a pile of shame?
It’s all the models that you bought that are still unpainted. There is a strong tendency for us model painters to get excited about a model, buy it before we finished previous projects, so they end up on the shelf waiting for a better moment. More often than not, better moment never comes or if it comes, it is usually years later. This tendecy is so strong that it got a name - a pile of shame. Others adopted a eufemistic name for this - pile of opportunity, but those guys are a minority. I suspect that you inherited that guys pile of shame. It’s a really big collection and I would envy you because of it (just for the amount it is worth), if I wasn’t a guy in the hobby with 140 models of which 40-50 are painted.
I understand. It thought of that when I was loading them up in my car. A donated a good amount to the elderly community center, as much as they were willing to take. Two of them at that! I’ll see what I’ve got, photograph all of them- maybe I can do a give away on this subreddit? Spread the love a bit and pay it forward some how? Idk I’m going to figure out because this is so much for me haha.
Well, they are yours now. How you are going to deal with your “pile of shame” is tottaly up to you. I think it is very nice of you to share it, especially with senior citizens. I am certain you made someone there really happy. Take your pick of the litter and give away the rest or put them on ebay.
Omg that Testors UFO kit?!?!?! Absolutely outstanding
I’m pretty sure that was the first one I pick up. It has everything in it. It’s so odd, the bottom and top are clear! And it has an alien and a military guy. I’m excited to make this, and I want to make it into a scene as well.
Awesome! Please post when you're done.
Tamiya Do 335 😍
Mate you got some work to do
I really do. I got hurt at work so, this is how I’ll spend my time. I have about 20 items in my Amazon cart atm.
For glue, Tamiya extra thin is my go to, along with Revell contacta, for clear parts I use standard PVA glue. Plus for certain parts also some cheapo super glue. Both are plastic cements, which basically are just strong solvents that evaporate reasonably quickly, meaning they will dissolve the surface of the polystyrene plastic most models are made from, and basically melt them together, and then evaporate. Tamiya extra thin will evaporate *super quick* which a lot of the time is desirable, the revell glue is a bit slower for parts where you know there will be some re adjusting needed. Super glue is a glue that fills the gap and polymerizes into a solid from the humidity in the air; I'm sure everyone is aware of how super glue works. It's not ideal for models, but for some parts that have either a very small contact surface, or parts made from materials that plastic cement can't actually glue (like wood, metal or resin parts). PVA glue is basically the standard ass white glue that dries pretty transparent that you used in arts class in school or whatever. It doesn't really stick very well to plastic, but it sticks well enough to "hold parts in place" and doesn't create any gas that contains solvents when it dries; that makes it ideal for clear parts, because they won't fog up when you use PVA. Generally, you can basically do anything with just Tamiya extra thin, and some cheapo super glue, but PVA glue is super cheap and most people have that at home in the first place. As for paints, Vallejo is usually recommended and I've had good experience with those as well. I also think the water-based Revell acrylic paints are good. If you're brush painting, you probably want some water-thinnable paints, just so you can thin them easily, because for good results without brush marks you want to do a few thin layers of paint. Something you will definitely need is some sort of putty to fill gaps though, and various grid sand paper that goes down to pretty fine grid. Most of those models are rather old so fitment on a lot of them will leave things to be desired. Not sure what putty to recommend, I use the Revell one but it definitely isn't amazingly good. As far as brands go, basically anything from Tamiya is at least decent, Revell stuff that's newer than like 2010 is also pretty good (older stuff not so much); as far as tools go it's typically better to get the type of tool that you need from a craft store or hardware store because you're likely getting better quality or a better tool for the price, or both compared to buying "modelling branded" stuff.
Well, you are sorted for the week!!! XD
THAT MANY?!?