I have been using Testors for over 30 years harkening back to my teen years painting tanks and planes. Those bottle haven't really changed much. One trick I (still) use to mix is putting a couple of BBs in each jar. They shake up pretty easy and are mixed in a jiffy.
Me too, all I know really coming back after 30 years. Testors was all I could get local. Hate those paper seals!! Always thought they’d eventually be the end of me when mom found paint on the carpet from prying those freakin things off.
Barbatos Rex, I just wanted to thank you very much for all your videos, and just the same for this one. I recently started building models and even more recently got an airbrush. I have a bunch of testors and this tutorial has made my models much more beautiful and easier to assemble. I look forward to every video you post as they are helping me enjoy this new hobby. They take the confusion of paint and throw it out the window!
I was amazed when I came across a couple of bottles of Testor's paints I bought from the 80's. I uncapped them and they still flowed really well. The big thing I noticed was the text on the labels have gotten much smaller.
@@gjan1761 not here in Australia. Only the two main brands. Citadel in the 90's but I only found them when I walked into a GW store and they didn't have the military colours needed.
I’m 80+ years old and just getting back into airbrushing plastic models. Your video are the BEST in showing various techniques in thinning various paints and proper spraying. Thank you so much for your time in prepairing these videos.
I made a ton of models when I was a kid. I used to stir the paint with a toothpick but it took quite a while to mix. Then I hit on the answer. I didn't have a mini paint mixer because they didn't make such a think back then. So, I solved the problem as simply and as cheaply as I could. I just added three BBs to each jar and then a little shaking and "viola," problem solved.
I'll tell you, testors is a great paint. Doesn't get enough credit anymore, it's good to see you doing it justice. I'm pretty sure the testors enamel was an industry standard way back before acrylic technology improved. I love the coating and look of airbrushed enamels/testors
I wholeheartedly disagree. For it's price and marketing, it is in fact the WORST paint you could POSSIBLY learn to paint miniatures/scale models with. Enamels are a giant fucking waste of time and way too toxic. Acrylics do everything Enamels do, but better as long as you're willing to learn how to layer and wash which are very basic techniques taught for miniatures like warhammer. Enamels are something that has only stuck around in boomer crowds who don't realize that a 6 dollar pot of citadel leadbelcher while more expensive than the 3 dollar testors gun metal, will last longer, apply easier, and require absolutely no thinning if you use a wet pallet which you should be. I learned with testors and it made everything way fucking harder than it needed to be when I wanted to paint and the only trade off is that you don't have to prime or varnish your models which takes like 2 seconds and gives you way more control over layers and showing off the details you want to be seen. Acrylics give you control. Enamels are not worth it almost ever unless you're going for a VERY specific look and you're ok with destroying tons of cheapo brushes. Enamels are also insanely hard on your airbrush and you're shortenning it's life by at least half and then you're spraying about the worst chemicals ever rright into your immediate vicinity which means you need to be wearing a properly rated mask and be in a ventillated area. If you're learning to paint, avoid enamels, especially testors like the plague. Even Testors Acrylics are worse than what you can buy at walmart for half the price and mix with a medium.
@@Southboundpachyderm You are as ignorant as you are clueless. Acrylics do not have the self leveling properties of Enamels or the base hardness and resistance. Acrylics are for children and those too lazy to clean up the heftier paints. There's a reason car makers use enamels and older times used lacquers. Never will you see a vehicle painted with acrylics in the real world and this is for good reasons. Do a little studying before making stupid comments based on laziness and ignorance.
Wow! Thank you! I’ve been using Testors products all my life and just recently got into airbrushing. Of course I’ve run into all sorts of problems and you probably just solved 99% of them with your very informative video! I will be following you and using your expertise! Your video is top notch and I … for one loved it!!!
I just recently got back into modeling after 20 something years and just wanted to say thank you. I have learned SO much watching your videos. I even went out and got a airbrush. I was always afraid of them not knowing what to do. We didn't have UA-cam back in the day and it was always stressful for me. Probably why I stopped. Keep the videos coming, with the heat there is nothing else to do. Lol thanks again!
Great video @Barbatos Rex! I know it's old now-and so am I! I am so glad I found your Channel and this video! I have boxes of Testor and was getting pretty anxious over the fact that they don't sell the Model Master Airbrush Thinner any longer. Never thought about Lacquer Thinner! Ironically, I'm retired now but I worked at The Testor Corporation from 1987 to 1999. Started as the Graphics Coordinator ( fancy title for Instruction Sheet writer and Illustrator), and worked my way up to becoming the Model Master Brand Manager in the last three of those 13 years. Always enjoyed making models, and built many of the military kits for the box photos in those years. My "claim to fame" was producing the Model Master II line of colors just before I left the company. Anyway, I really enjoy your videos, and now I can really enjoy using my Testor enamels again. Oh and I still have some 10 cent bottles in my collection, and they are still viable. To bad the company put all it's "eggs" in the Walmart "basket". Hence one of the reasons the company dried up. It is now just a small paint line of another major paint company!
I am SO EXCITED!!! My father had a stroke last year and he can’t talk anymore, and he’s got very little he can do these days but somehow he’s still able to play with his AMT & Revell models with me as his assistant. I have become his painter and I am not good at it using the spray cans. I picked up the Testor Air Brush kit on a whim thinking I might try it out, today I searched UA-cam and found your video and I just airbrushed a little pickup truck a nice bright red and WOW it was so much easier than I thought it would be. Now I need to learn how to keep it all clean without making myself a total mess but hey, I am not likely to need to strip half the things I paint badly to try again so cleaning my air brush is the easier solution by far! Thanks!
Been spraying testors since the 1970s and brushing since the 1960s great product and very good color assortment. Model master makes a really nice collection of oil base buffable metal colors that have there own clearcoat finnish for them. Then any clear coat of your choice after that.
I have been using Testors for over 20 years. I have, however, always brush painted. This stuff is thick and does take forever to dry, but man what a durable and beautiful coat it leaves. I am finally taking a dip into airbrushing thanks to this channel and THE handy $40 airbrush though.
@Barbatos Rex I'm definitely going to have to try it out. I thinned it a little to smooth it out, nowhere near 50/50. I'm not shocked at the way the glosses turned out, they always look great. Bright and shiny! They also have another pair of metallics I love, steel and aluminum.
I dont know how you are doing it, buying all your own paints which are pretty expensive! If its not already a thing every one of the paint companies should be sending you their paints because of the great service you are doing for the model community and very excellent reviews/tests. I have learned so much from your videos! THANK YOU!!!
There's a few very important reasons why Automakers use Enamels and not cheap Acrylics. There's also a reason why they use Clear coats and not floor polish. Some Hobby butchers aren't clued into these reasons and spread that clueless-ness all over the internet. I Love that BRex goes over all these different paints and lets us see what they can look like before buying a paint line. Rex has fast become the Premier channel to check out a paint line when choosing your next project. Great video as always!
RIP to Donn Yost of Lone Wolf Custom Painting who taught many of us over the years through his instructional videos and DVDs (pre-UA-cam) that it was perfectly fine to use lacquer thinner for Testors enamels
Great video as usual. You can also use oderless mineral spirits to mix in with and clean enamels. It's a good alternative to lacquer thinner if you don't like the smell of the chemicals. But I still like lacquer thinner better most of the time. Plus, under certain circumstances, I've heard that you can run into trouble mixing Lacquer in with metallic enamels. Enamels are oil based and can take a very long time to dry and then much longer to cure. To speed up the dry time, you can add Japan Drier to the paint. It can be had at the hardware store. Read the label for proportions - it's almost nothing. On the other hand, you can add Flood flow improver if you're applying with a paint brush. This will allow the paint to flow out and make it easier for the brush strokes to go away. But I'm sure this will make dry times go up as well. Also at the hardware store. You mentioned that the .25oz Testers enamels are cheap. To be honest, they're quite expensive by volume. I'll probably never use them again for that reason. This is what I do instead of Testers enamels: I can buy 8oz of 1Shot enamel for $25 bucks and that'll last a very long time. 8oz of Testers will cost $63.68 at a dollar ninety nine. I can get 16oz of some name-brand automotive urethanes for less than that. Plus, Testers are compatible with the $10 dollar quarts of Rustoleum enamels at the hardware store. I can't tell the difference between them and I've mixed them to see if I had to take anything into consideration. I'm not saying nobody should ever use Testers - but cost ain't a reason to use them if you go through a lot of paint.
I was nervous to try this but just mixed up some testors aluminum and sprayed some engine parts. First time and it was actually very easy. I don't know why I was so nervous. It came out great.
Take a shot every time he says “And that’s it.” Lol 😅 Great video! So glad I stocked up on Testors when I found a hobby shop blowing out all their paints on eBay a few years back for $0.25/jar and 0.50 for Model Master. I bought like $75 worth which will last me a lifetime guaranteed lol. I bought at least 4 of those Pearls and they are indeed spectacular!
I'm going to try this on my yellow Mustang which has a few very minor scuffs and scratches. I was looking for the correct amount and type of paint thinner to use so your showing the lacquer thinner 50/50 for airbrushing with the end result was very helpful, especially showing the gloss which should match the car. With a little bit of rubbing / polishing compound, hope it blends well without needing clear coat. Body shops want hundreds o $$$ to repair these spots. Hope this works.
Thanks, just put together an airbrush setup and all I have are a dozen Testors paints. (And a bottle of mr color clear). Just came back to the hobby after 30 years. Went with what was familiar but suddenly remembered as a kid always dreaming of an airbrush. My dad told me that’s how they got those paint jobs on the boxes when I got frustrated trying to brush them on (I got pretty damn good as a 10 year old kid, with better eyes). Youve been a huge help in breaking my noob uncertainty. Thanks, had it a month and I think I’m going to actually practice this weekend. Can I just spray something like thinner or something cheaper than paint for a bit until I get used to it? Skim milk maybe?? 😂
Have been using Testors paints since my first days of model building in the 80's. Testors enamels still hold up against more expensive options! I've only brush painted with them though. Going to adventure into airbrushing later this year.
Over 40 yrs ago I was taught by my modelling mentor to pour off the top liquid and add mineral spirits to allow the paint to dry flat instead of gloss when we were applying with a brush. Never tried lacquer thinner, would assume the same result but dry faster.
Excellent Excellent video. I build model ships for a living and I didnt know much of what you showed. I love your tests, on a white plastic spoon, brilliant! I built a 'Hot Box,' for drying painted surfaces. It's just a wooden box about 2 feet by 2 feet, with a couple of small shelfs in it and a 65 watt light bulb does the trick. New subscriber mate. Thank you.
You have just become my go to channel for anything related to painting models! Loved the tour of your shop. Did you purchase all of those products or are they from sponsors?
I purchased most of it myself. Call it an investment in the channel if you will. I try to get products sent to me for testing but I get no reply. It's sad because I will do the product justice and probably sell a bunch for the brand
@@barbatosrex9473 keep trying, i just looked at your channel on socialblade and your graphs are going up. if i had to make a suggestion, I'd try to crank out a bunch of short videos, like quick tips or something (maybe some specific masking techniques, or some hints about chipping or using removable masks or chipping mediums, or perhaps give some of the createfx testors stain paints a test, etc) so you can keep a steady pace of videos up, and do some of the longer-form comparisons on a similar or slower schedule. You obviously know a ton of stuff and have a ton of cool toys and products to compare with so I'm sure you could make a list of things you can crank out in no time. That would let you manage a very consistent upload schedule, which would make you look better to the companies and maybe get some sponsorships or at least fun new products to check out.
@@barbatosrex9473 I'm just an IT guy who got an airbrush for christmas, lol. But I've followed enough small channels and seen some of them blow up that I can see at least some of what works. I would actually suggest contacting Finn McKenty, he runs the Punk Rock MBA channel and social media and marketing is one of his main gigs too, both professionally and as a hobby. He gives advice, and is extremely responsive on instagram for questions and so on. He's a cool dude and he loves creative people so I'm sure he'd have some pointers for you - a channel run by a talented, personable dude i think would be right up his alley, especially as he can see that you're already hustling and getting a bigger audience.
Watching an older video you were stirring with sticks. I thought for sure you were the one who sold me on that badger mixer. It's a little much ($20 for $5 in parts) but it does such an awesome job. It will bring back paint you think was long gone from setting. Glad I didn't spend $$ on a shaker to do the same thing. Im sure a person could make an easy 3V DIY disk on a stick from Amazon racing parts. No more excuses. 100hrs of instruction. Have 4 airbrushes, 2 compressors. It's time to hit the garage and not quit until I can not ruin what Im painting. Ill stare at my Harley the whole time. The #1 reason I got into all this stuff.
If you want a hand held paint mixer that stronger or with adjustable speeds get a ginger nail buffer from any makeup department. I find they work much better and they can buff models without being over powerful for small projects 😊
Great video! I'm new to airbrushing and really needed to know how much to thin the testor's enamel. This video was exactly what i needed to know. Thanks so much!
My wife picked me up a jar of testors metallic copper from hobby lobby about 2 years ago an I can't get myself to use it cause the color is beautiful + my favorite color
Very nice! I have been building various kinds of models for about 60 years. It's so easy to get excited about the "new paint" that one forgets to appreciate the old classics. When I was a lad I would get the Testors enamel for about $0.10 to $0.15 per bottle to brush paint the details of my models. It's nice to see that the quality still stands up well. I DO have an emotional problem with Testors' parent company, RPM. The Rustoleum guys have gutted the Testors line of military and aircraft paints, both enamel and acryl. They also bought up the Floquil brand and killed them off years ago. So it is hard to support Testors, BUT they DO make some god product. On the metallics, I remember Testors being notorious for slow drying metallics, both bottle or spray can. You can handle them in a short time but the full cure takes quite a while. Testors classic "Metallic Silver" in the spray can is STILL my personal favorite for a basic silver on many of my projects. I am really looking forward to the nipper/sprue cutter testing. The UA-cam channel "Scale Model Workshop" (Paul Budzik) did a very nice review a couple years ago but I am also interested in your results.
I came across a Curtis Helldiver kit that I had started around 30 years ago, but never finished and put in storage. I had brush painted it with Testors flat dark navy blue, sky blue, and white. After all that time the paint still held the color and was hard as rock. All for a paint that probably cost around $0.79 a bottle then.
I use testors alot and have almost every color hobbylobby sells, i pick up the glass jars they sell and mix the paint:thinner ratios in those bottles as i get a 1:1 ratio which is perfect for 90% of their paints. Only one ive had issues with is the flat brass cause the metal flakes are too large.
@@barbatosrex9473 the flat brass is a new one i got it recently but even at 3:1 thinner to paint it keeps clogging so im trying to figure out what ratio i need for it
@@fuqua626 you'll need a larger needle/nozzle for your airbrush. Any time I'm spraying heavier paints such as the one you mentioned I switch to my 0.5mm airbrush
@@barbatosrex9473 shoot, i only have .3mm as my largest besides the i believe its .8mm that came with the kit. Ill need to invest in a .5mm then cause i have a zero paint that would benifit from that as well.
@@fuqua626 Get a Badger Patriot 105, it's my go to for hard to spray paints. It sprays everything. And at $70 it's a bargain. I use it every day. See it here spraygunner.com?aff=10
This is A great Vid on testers Enamel Paint. I would just like to say that as soon as i open a new bottle I carefully wipe the top and add an extra homemade cork ring into the lid in case i don't want to mix the entire bottle. I also use the ratio mix method you use and spray through my Iwata Neo CS
That's a great tip. I'm posting a video tonight on the Badger 105 Patriot Airbrush and I spray Testors Model Master pearl grape with it. Came out awesome
Great video, I'm right with you. Never tried blowing these before this morning, only used brushes waaaay back. I just resurrected my airbrush and tried a cadet red and a gold metallic with 50/50 mineral spirits for some transparency on a couple clear parts, spraying them out of a Badger Model 175 Crescendo at 15psi. They painted like a dream! The gold is lustrous, the red is glossy and even. Clean up a snap with some mineral spirits followed by isopropanol as a rinse/drying agent.
New to the airbrush on model cars and getting ready to try this out. So 50/50 with a good shake and all should be good. Well I can't wait to give it a go.
I started with Testors in my youth. I don't use them anymore since I've been using Tamiya and Mr Hobby. Personally, I got better results when I changed from Testors.
if I use the testors enamel thinner I use one bottle of testors colors and then fill that bottle up with the enamel paint thinner and their is my 50/50 mix ?
@@barbatosrex9473 Amazon prices on small bottles of enamels in sets is quite high - I think there is a definite niche there for a .5 to 1 oz set of primary black white and "mud" - whatever the brown mix is. Especially in Low VOC, in gloss, with thinner in a 2x size, and 'flattener' (de-glosser) available. Every shop air brusher will want that who never touch models of any kind specifically to match any paint they can't find in the can.
Niice Wing Zero you have there. 15 years ago I straight brushed my model with the testors basic colors and learned about the long drying time. So I flash cured them in a microwave. Dry in 15 seconds
Great post again! I have a model that has part enamel and part acrylic paint used on it. What should I do as prep to hand paint over the enamel with acrylics?
Best Airbrush Enamel Hands On DIE CAST CLEANER N' ACRYCLIC PAINT THINNER RECIPES-GRUMPY MODELLER Best UA-cam Airbrush Enamel Comparison Hands On Video Yet Thus Far...In My Opinion Thumbs Up/Like X Infinity!!
I grew up with brush painting models with Testors enamels. However, for air brushing models now, I'd rather spend more money on brands that dry/cure more quickly. Recommendations?
your right about the shine on model cars did a 69 nova in model master black looked like my first ride no sanding no nuttin just a great paint thanks dou p,s would love to see one of your builds
How long before coats do have to wait to tape for two tone paint job on model car. Also can you layer these like low rider paint styles. I'm trying to learn all I can, since I am still new to the hobby. Thank you for a y help you can give me
We just got the Revell rack in our shop. I've tried the Aqua for brush painting and it coats in one coat very nicely. I've a few colors to play around with so I can help my customers out with them and see how they play! Nice work on the last few videos man!
I've been spraying testors enamel through my airbrush for years. Yes them dam stickers. I use the same lacquer thinner and my mix is 1:1. Lol ok you said 50-50. If I go a little heavy on the thinner it speeds up my dry time too
Hi a great video and great comment. I was wondering why you guys use lacquer thinner instead of paint thinner that’s mineral spirits-based. I’m not sure what lacquer thinner is based on...Would you guys be willing to share? I am new to the airbrush Painting and I’m trying to figure things out.
Want to get into airbrushing. Great video. Thanks for the info. Can you recommend what should be done for clean up? Just assume I know nothing about airbrushing. :)
Should last a few years if kept air tight. I store mine in high quality sealed containers like Tupperware with a rubber seal, the ones I showed in my Q&A video
Believe or not, the small Testors paint bottles used to cost 30 cents a bottle. I used to buy them at a local convenient store, and that was a very long time ago.
Hi Rex....not sure if you are going to read this but I just subscibed. Actually just found you because i am going to try my hand at air brushing. I build models during the winter months and i have a guitar repair business out of my home, so i figured....why not try air brushing. Watching for tips and tricks and must do's and never do's. Will stay tuned.
Thanks for all the videos, you're very helpful Rex. I wanted to know if after converting the paint to a thinner consistency, can you still hand brush the paint if needed? Thinking of converting all of my Testors paints on hand to be ready to be airbrushed using your method, but will I lose anything of the way of needing to use that same paint for hand brushing. Thanks in advance, keep those awesome vids coming!!
I wonder if you can put some felt or even just a layer or two of masking tape over the plate for the paint mixer to help dampen the sound of the glass rattling against it. Thanks for the great videos.
I have been using Testors for over 30 years harkening back to my teen years painting tanks and planes. Those bottle haven't really changed much. One trick I (still) use to mix is putting a couple of BBs in each jar. They shake up pretty easy and are mixed in a jiffy.
Me too, all I know really coming back after 30 years. Testors was all I could get local. Hate those paper seals!! Always thought they’d eventually be the end of me when mom found paint on the carpet from prying those freakin things off.
Great idea with the bb's.
Usually use ball bearings but bbs are a much better idea because of the cost efficiency.
Great advice, never thought of mixing them this way
Barbatos Rex, I just wanted to thank you very much for all your videos, and just the same for this one. I recently started building models and even more recently got an airbrush. I have a bunch of testors and this tutorial has made my models much more beautiful and easier to assemble. I look forward to every video you post as they are helping me enjoy this new hobby. They take the confusion of paint and throw it out the window!
Thanks for the kind words and thanks for the sub 👍
I was amazed when I came across a couple of bottles of Testor's paints I bought from the 80's. I uncapped them and they still flowed really well. The big thing I noticed was the text on the labels have gotten much smaller.
When I was a kid, in the 70s, those small bottles of Pactra and Testors went for .15 cents.
Sometimes 10 for a dollar!
@@jenniferwhitewolf3784 I had forgotten about that.
Yes.... I remember that. And I was frustrated when the price was increased to 19 cents a bottle!
damn, 50 years ago was a lot cheaper
It’s because testors went out of business
I really enjoy your videos, they are very helpful and informative.
Thanks Larry, much appreciated 👍
80/90's - testors and humbrol enamels were all we had. Good times.
RalPartha/Citadel, Polly S acrylics were out there.
@@gjan1761 not here in Australia. Only the two main brands. Citadel in the 90's but I only found them when I walked into a GW store and they didn't have the military colours needed.
Cool. Got tons of Testors. Been using them for brush painting for 40 years. Nice to see the spray so well.
I’m 80+ years old and just getting back into airbrushing plastic models.
Your video are the BEST in showing various techniques in thinning various paints and proper spraying. Thank you so much for your time in prepairing these videos.
You're never too old 😉 thanks for watching my friend. Many more to come
I made a ton of models when I was a kid. I used to stir the paint with a toothpick but it took quite a while to mix. Then I hit on the answer. I didn't have a mini paint mixer because they didn't make such a think back then. So, I solved the problem as simply and as cheaply as I could. I just added three BBs to each jar and then a little shaking and "viola," problem solved.
Did the same in the 80s😊
I'll tell you, testors is a great paint. Doesn't get enough credit anymore, it's good to see you doing it justice. I'm pretty sure the testors enamel was an industry standard way back before acrylic technology improved. I love the coating and look of airbrushed enamels/testors
Testers is the only brand I knew about for a long time. I have always been pleased with how they turn out.
@@thadrepairsitall1278 same here never seen vallejo until hobby lobby opened a store in my city.
Tamyia was around also but testors won me over.
I wholeheartedly disagree. For it's price and marketing, it is in fact the WORST paint you could POSSIBLY learn to paint miniatures/scale models with. Enamels are a giant fucking waste of time and way too toxic. Acrylics do everything Enamels do, but better as long as you're willing to learn how to layer and wash which are very basic techniques taught for miniatures like warhammer. Enamels are something that has only stuck around in boomer crowds who don't realize that a 6 dollar pot of citadel leadbelcher while more expensive than the 3 dollar testors gun metal, will last longer, apply easier, and require absolutely no thinning if you use a wet pallet which you should be. I learned with testors and it made everything way fucking harder than it needed to be when I wanted to paint and the only trade off is that you don't have to prime or varnish your models which takes like 2 seconds and gives you way more control over layers and showing off the details you want to be seen. Acrylics give you control. Enamels are not worth it almost ever unless you're going for a VERY specific look and you're ok with destroying tons of cheapo brushes. Enamels are also insanely hard on your airbrush and you're shortenning it's life by at least half and then you're spraying about the worst chemicals ever rright into your immediate vicinity which means you need to be wearing a properly rated mask and be in a ventillated area. If you're learning to paint, avoid enamels, especially testors like the plague. Even Testors Acrylics are worse than what you can buy at walmart for half the price and mix with a medium.
@@Southboundpachyderm You are as ignorant as you are clueless. Acrylics do not have the self leveling properties of Enamels or the base hardness and resistance. Acrylics are for children and those too lazy to clean up the heftier paints. There's a reason car makers use enamels and older times used lacquers. Never will you see a vehicle painted with acrylics in the real world and this is for good reasons. Do a little studying before making stupid comments based on laziness and ignorance.
Wow! Thank you! I’ve been using Testors products all my life and just recently got into airbrushing. Of course I’ve run into all sorts of problems and you probably just solved 99% of them with your very informative video! I will be following you and using your expertise! Your video is top notch and I … for one loved it!!!
I just recently got back into modeling after 20 something years and just wanted to say thank you. I have learned SO much watching your videos. I even went out and got a airbrush. I was always afraid of them not knowing what to do. We didn't have UA-cam back in the day and it was always stressful for me. Probably why I stopped. Keep the videos coming, with the heat there is nothing else to do. Lol thanks again!
Great video @Barbatos Rex! I know it's old now-and so am I! I am so glad I found your Channel and this video! I have boxes of Testor and was getting pretty anxious over the fact that they don't sell the Model Master Airbrush Thinner any longer. Never thought about Lacquer Thinner! Ironically, I'm retired now but I worked at The Testor Corporation from 1987 to 1999. Started as the Graphics Coordinator ( fancy title for Instruction Sheet writer and Illustrator), and worked my way up to becoming the Model Master Brand Manager in the last three of those 13 years. Always enjoyed making models, and built many of the military kits for the box photos in those years. My "claim to fame" was producing the Model Master II line of colors just before I left the company. Anyway, I really enjoy your videos, and now I can really enjoy using my Testor enamels again. Oh and I still have some 10 cent bottles in my collection, and they are still viable. To bad the company put all it's "eggs" in the Walmart "basket". Hence one of the reasons the company dried up. It is now just a small paint line of another major paint company!
I am SO EXCITED!!! My father had a stroke last year and he can’t talk anymore, and he’s got very little he can do these days but somehow he’s still able to play with his AMT & Revell models with me as his assistant. I have become his painter and I am not good at it using the spray cans. I picked up the Testor Air Brush kit on a whim thinking I might try it out, today I searched UA-cam and found your video and I just airbrushed a little pickup truck a nice bright red and WOW it was so much easier than I thought it would be. Now I need to learn how to keep it all clean without making myself a total mess but hey, I am not likely to need to strip half the things I paint badly to try again so cleaning my air brush is the easier solution by far! Thanks!
That's awesome buddy, thanks for watching 👍
Been spraying testors since the 1970s and brushing since the 1960s great product and very good color assortment.
Model master makes a really nice collection of oil base buffable metal colors that have there own clearcoat finnish for them.
Then any clear coat of your choice after that.
BARBATOS REX IS RIGHT! THOSE TINY BOTTLES OF TESTOR PAINTS ARE EASY TO USE, BEST RESULTS YOU CAN GET!
I have been using Testors for over 20 years. I have, however, always brush painted. This stuff is thick and does take forever to dry, but man what a durable and beautiful coat it leaves. I am finally taking a dip into airbrushing thanks to this channel and THE handy $40 airbrush though.
The drying time is cut in half when you use lacquer thinner
@Barbatos Rex I'm definitely going to have to try it out. I thinned it a little to smooth it out, nowhere near 50/50. I'm not shocked at the way the glosses turned out, they always look great. Bright and shiny! They also have another pair of metallics I love, steel and aluminum.
I dont know how you are doing it, buying all your own paints which are pretty expensive! If its not already a thing every one of the paint companies should be sending you their paints because of the great service you are doing for the model community and very excellent reviews/tests. I have learned so much from your videos! THANK YOU!!!
There's a few very important reasons why Automakers use Enamels and not cheap Acrylics. There's also a reason why they use Clear coats and not floor polish. Some Hobby butchers aren't clued into these reasons and spread that clueless-ness all over the internet. I Love that BRex goes over all these different paints and lets us see what they can look like before buying a paint line. Rex has fast become the Premier channel to check out a paint line when choosing your next project. Great video as always!
RIP to Donn Yost of Lone Wolf Custom Painting who taught many of us over the years through his instructional videos and DVDs (pre-UA-cam) that it was perfectly fine to use lacquer thinner for Testors enamels
I had to watch twice because I was admiring your setup.
Great video as usual.
You can also use oderless mineral spirits to mix in with and clean enamels. It's a good alternative to lacquer thinner if you don't like the smell of the chemicals. But I still like lacquer thinner better most of the time. Plus, under certain circumstances, I've heard that you can run into trouble mixing Lacquer in with metallic enamels.
Enamels are oil based and can take a very long time to dry and then much longer to cure. To speed up the dry time, you can add Japan Drier to the paint. It can be had at the hardware store. Read the label for proportions - it's almost nothing.
On the other hand, you can add Flood flow improver if you're applying with a paint brush. This will allow the paint to flow out and make it easier for the brush strokes to go away. But I'm sure this will make dry times go up as well. Also at the hardware store.
You mentioned that the .25oz Testers enamels are cheap. To be honest, they're quite expensive by volume. I'll probably never use them again for that reason. This is what I do instead of Testers enamels: I can buy 8oz of 1Shot enamel for $25 bucks and that'll last a very long time. 8oz of Testers will cost $63.68 at a dollar ninety nine. I can get 16oz of some name-brand automotive urethanes for less than that. Plus, Testers are compatible with the $10 dollar quarts of Rustoleum enamels at the hardware store. I can't tell the difference between them and I've mixed them to see if I had to take anything into consideration. I'm not saying nobody should ever use Testers - but cost ain't a reason to use them if you go through a lot of paint.
I've had troubles with Mission paints peeling off with tape too. Maybe add a bit more poly to it
I was nervous to try this but just mixed up some testors aluminum and sprayed some engine parts. First time and it was actually very easy. I don't know why I was so nervous. It came out great.
mannnn! that paint room looks AMAZING!
Take a shot every time he says “And that’s it.” Lol 😅 Great video! So glad I stocked up on Testors when I found a hobby shop blowing out all their paints on eBay a few years back for $0.25/jar and 0.50 for Model Master. I bought like $75 worth which will last me a lifetime guaranteed lol. I bought at least 4 of those Pearls and they are indeed spectacular!
I still have my testors from the late 70s as a kid modeling, now I’m starting again after retiring
Will the paint store well if sealed well after mixed 50/50 with the lacquer?
Yes it will be fine. I do the same
I'm going to try this on my yellow Mustang which has a few very minor scuffs and scratches. I was looking for the correct amount and type of paint thinner to use so your showing the lacquer thinner 50/50 for airbrushing with the end result was very helpful, especially showing the gloss which should match the car. With a little bit of rubbing / polishing compound, hope it blends well without needing clear coat. Body shops want hundreds o $$$ to repair these spots. Hope this works.
Thanks, just put together an airbrush setup and all I have are a dozen Testors paints. (And a bottle of mr color clear). Just came back to the hobby after 30 years. Went with what was familiar but suddenly remembered as a kid always dreaming of an airbrush. My dad told me that’s how they got those paint jobs on the boxes when I got frustrated trying to brush them on (I got pretty damn good as a 10 year old kid, with better eyes).
Youve been a huge help in breaking my noob uncertainty. Thanks, had it a month and I think I’m going to actually practice this weekend. Can I just spray something like thinner or something cheaper than paint for a bit until I get used to it? Skim milk maybe?? 😂
Have been using Testors paints since my first days of model building in the 80's. Testors enamels still hold up against more expensive options! I've only brush painted with them though. Going to adventure into airbrushing later this year.
I really appreciate you giving your time and experience for these videos you do! Thank you much! JP
Thank you for the kind words and thanks for watching.
I was just about to ask for this EXACT video! Can't wait to watch it later! Thanks, B-Rex!!
GREAT video! Great tip with the 1to1 mixing. Thanks again!
Thanks bubby 👍
What is your tip size and air pressure when spraying these? I love Testors paints but never sprayed them. Great job.
i just watched the video it answered alot of questions i had . i have a lot of the testers an model masters paints. very helpful video
Thanks Mike
Over 40 yrs ago I was taught by my modelling mentor to pour off the top liquid and add mineral spirits to allow the paint to dry flat instead of gloss when we were applying with a brush. Never tried lacquer thinner, would assume the same result but dry faster.
That's a new one for me. I will try that 👍 thanks for the tip
Really enjoy your videos. Watch them regularly. I am getting ready to do a Dodge p.u. With testors enamel guards red. Thanks again. Wayne Perry
April 2023. Now the tiny 1/4 oz. Bottles cost $3.50. Unreal. I remember them being .79 cents. Anywho, ty for the vid.
Excellent Excellent video. I build model ships for a living and I didnt know much of what you showed. I love your tests, on a white plastic spoon, brilliant! I built a 'Hot Box,' for drying painted surfaces. It's just a wooden box about 2 feet by 2 feet, with a couple of small shelfs in it and a 65 watt light bulb does the trick. New subscriber mate. Thank you.
That paint shaker is so satisfying!
Thank you for the 50/50 blend mix I greatly appreciate that information
Anytime my friend
@@barbatosrex9473 I'm trying for the first time on a air brush and I really appreciate your vido's,tip's,and trick's
Tell you what, this channel is an amazing resource! Great information for those of us old guys just getting started.
Thanks for the tips along with the tutorial. Much appreciated 🤝
Thank you my friend 👍
That shaker is the coolest thing I've seen in ages!
Another great educational video thanks for the information
Anytime buddy 👍
You have just become my go to channel for anything related to painting models! Loved the tour of your shop. Did you purchase all of those products or are they from sponsors?
I purchased most of it myself. Call it an investment in the channel if you will. I try to get products sent to me for testing but I get no reply. It's sad because I will do the product justice and probably sell a bunch for the brand
@@barbatosrex9473 keep trying, i just looked at your channel on socialblade and your graphs are going up. if i had to make a suggestion, I'd try to crank out a bunch of short videos, like quick tips or something (maybe some specific masking techniques, or some hints about chipping or using removable masks or chipping mediums, or perhaps give some of the createfx testors stain paints a test, etc) so you can keep a steady pace of videos up, and do some of the longer-form comparisons on a similar or slower schedule. You obviously know a ton of stuff and have a ton of cool toys and products to compare with so I'm sure you could make a list of things you can crank out in no time. That would let you manage a very consistent upload schedule, which would make you look better to the companies and maybe get some sponsorships or at least fun new products to check out.
@@witeshade thanks for the info. Are you just a fan or are you in the UA-cam business?
@@barbatosrex9473 I'm just an IT guy who got an airbrush for christmas, lol. But I've followed enough small channels and seen some of them blow up that I can see at least some of what works. I would actually suggest contacting Finn McKenty, he runs the Punk Rock MBA channel and social media and marketing is one of his main gigs too, both professionally and as a hobby. He gives advice, and is extremely responsive on instagram for questions and so on. He's a cool dude and he loves creative people so I'm sure he'd have some pointers for you - a channel run by a talented, personable dude i think would be right up his alley, especially as he can see that you're already hustling and getting a bigger audience.
Watching an older video you were stirring with sticks. I thought for sure you were the one who sold me on that badger mixer. It's a little much ($20 for $5 in parts) but it does such an awesome job. It will bring back paint you think was long gone from setting. Glad I didn't spend $$ on a shaker to do the same thing. Im sure a person could make an easy 3V DIY disk on a stick from Amazon racing parts. No more excuses. 100hrs of instruction. Have 4 airbrushes, 2 compressors. It's time to hit the garage and not quit until I can not ruin what Im painting. Ill stare at my Harley the whole time. The #1 reason I got into all this stuff.
If you want a hand held paint mixer that stronger or with adjustable speeds get a ginger nail buffer from any makeup department.
I find they work much better and they can buff models without being over powerful for small projects 😊
Just found your channel and video,when it comes to the lids,I use PTFE tape or vaseline,seals perfectly and so easy to open them up
Great tip 👍
Great video! I'm new to airbrushing and really needed to know how much to thin the testor's enamel. This video was exactly what i needed to know. Thanks so much!
You're welcome buddy and thanks for watching
My wife picked me up a jar of testors metallic copper from hobby lobby about 2 years ago an I can't get myself to use it cause the color is beautiful + my favorite color
Very nice! I have been building various kinds of models for about 60 years. It's so easy to get excited about the "new paint" that one forgets to appreciate the old classics. When I was a lad I would get the Testors enamel for about $0.10 to $0.15 per bottle to brush paint the details of my models. It's nice to see that the quality still stands up well. I DO have an emotional problem with Testors' parent company, RPM. The Rustoleum guys have gutted the Testors line of military and aircraft paints, both enamel and acryl. They also bought up the Floquil brand and killed them off years ago. So it is hard to support Testors, BUT they DO make some god product. On the metallics, I remember Testors being notorious for slow drying metallics, both bottle or spray can. You can handle them in a short time but the full cure takes quite a while. Testors classic "Metallic Silver" in the spray can is STILL my personal favorite for a basic silver on many of my projects.
I am really looking forward to the nipper/sprue cutter testing. The UA-cam channel "Scale Model Workshop" (Paul Budzik) did a very nice review a couple years ago but I am also interested in your results.
I came across a Curtis Helldiver kit that I had started around 30 years ago, but never finished and put in storage. I had brush painted it with Testors flat dark navy blue, sky blue, and white. After all that time the paint still held the color and was hard as rock. All for a paint that probably cost around $0.79 a bottle then.
I use testors alot and have almost every color hobbylobby sells, i pick up the glass jars they sell and mix the paint:thinner ratios in those bottles as i get a 1:1 ratio which is perfect for 90% of their paints. Only one ive had issues with is the flat brass cause the metal flakes are too large.
Oh yeah, for sure some of their metal flakes do act differently for other paints. Some of the older paints in the line had real large flakes
@@barbatosrex9473 the flat brass is a new one i got it recently but even at 3:1 thinner to paint it keeps clogging so im trying to figure out what ratio i need for it
@@fuqua626 you'll need a larger needle/nozzle for your airbrush. Any time I'm spraying heavier paints such as the one you mentioned I switch to my 0.5mm airbrush
@@barbatosrex9473 shoot, i only have .3mm as my largest besides the i believe its .8mm that came with the kit. Ill need to invest in a .5mm then cause i have a zero paint that would benifit from that as well.
@@fuqua626 Get a Badger Patriot 105, it's my go to for hard to spray paints. It sprays everything. And at $70 it's a bargain. I use it every day. See it here spraygunner.com?aff=10
This is A great Vid on testers Enamel Paint. I would just like to say that as soon as i open a new bottle I carefully wipe the top and add an extra homemade cork ring into the lid in case i don't want to mix the entire bottle. I also use the ratio mix method you use and spray through my Iwata Neo CS
That's a great tip. I'm posting a video tonight on the Badger 105 Patriot Airbrush and I spray Testors Model Master pearl grape with it. Came out awesome
Great tips. Thanks for taking the time to make these informative videos. Much appreciated.
Great video, I'm right with you. Never tried blowing these before this morning, only used brushes waaaay back. I just resurrected my airbrush and tried a cadet red and a gold metallic with 50/50 mineral spirits for some transparency on a couple clear parts, spraying them out of a Badger Model 175 Crescendo at 15psi. They painted like a dream! The gold is lustrous, the red is glossy and even. Clean up a snap with some mineral spirits followed by isopropanol as a rinse/drying agent.
That's awesome. These are great overlooked paints for sure. Plus once fully cured they are super durable. Thanks for watching
New to the airbrush on model cars and getting ready to try this out. So 50/50 with a good shake and all should be good. Well I can't wait to give it a go.
I peel 3 of the labels off as soon as I get home. I only leave the label that says the color. They come off pretty easy.!
I love the inspire paint. They are awesome. I painted a motorcycle helmet. It’s awesome.
I started with Testors in my youth. I don't use them anymore since I've been using Tamiya and Mr Hobby. Personally, I got better results when I changed from Testors.
if I use the testors enamel thinner I use one bottle of testors colors and then fill that bottle up with the enamel paint thinner and their is my 50/50 mix ?
Yes
@@barbatosrex9473 thank you so much for your videos new to this stuff
Tex Rex , i just watched your Avanti / airbrush HFT review, never been good at painting, thank you for the lessons on mixing , 5 star
Thanks for the tutorials, I've got randomly to your channel and you got everything I needed to improve my painting skills, thanks man
Thanks buddy and thanks for watching
OMG - you've got to make more money with this. You're a lab and museum combined!
You are THE SOURCE!
I never thought of it that way. Thanks buddy and thanks for watching
@@barbatosrex9473 Yeah - a little self promotion would be great!
@@MisterDivineAdVenture well I do have a line up of paints coming out soon and they're enamels like the Model Master line up
@@barbatosrex9473 Amazon prices on small bottles of enamels in sets is quite high - I think there is a definite niche there for a .5 to 1 oz set of primary black white and "mud" - whatever the brown mix is. Especially in Low VOC, in gloss, with thinner in a 2x size, and 'flattener' (de-glosser) available. Every shop air brusher will want that who never touch models of any kind specifically to match any paint they can't find in the can.
Would that be the same as 1 to 1 paint to thinner?
Yes
Yes, those little bottles of paint are kinda forgotten about now...... Great video!!!!! 👍👍👍
How long do you fully cure your enamel, and alclad paints in your dehydrator? And also do you even bother using it for your acrylic painting
I use it for everything. 100 degrees for 20 minutes seems to cure it all
@@barbatosrex9473 ty hey what type of dehydrator you got or can I use any type of one
@@rogerburdette4854 here's the one I use and here's the video review of it
amzn.to/43CTBhZ
ua-cam.com/video/kf9QdXZsgms/v-deo.html
Niice Wing Zero you have there. 15 years ago I straight brushed my model with the testors basic colors and learned about the long drying time. So I flash cured them in a microwave. Dry in 15 seconds
15 seconds, that beats my food dehydrator hands down 😉
@@barbatosrex9473
But will the Mrs. kill me , using the microwave??
@@brot5246 I will continue to play it safe with my dehydrator 😉
This video couldn't have came at a better time. I just recently bought a bunch of these $2 bottles and was curious how they would work out!!
Thanks. I've always had issues with enamels this will help me.
I've always liked Testor's, it is the last of the old-school model paints.
have you ever tested something like Rust-Oleum 7776730 on the channel?
Sorry if I missed it, what psi are you shooting the enamels at?
20psi
@@barbatosrex9473 you're the man, thank you for the reply!
Great post again!
I have a model that has part enamel and part acrylic paint used on it. What should I do as prep to hand paint over the enamel with acrylics?
The acrylics should go over the enamels no problem. It's the other way around you would have had troubles
Wish we could could paints and kits like the USA back hear in the UK .love your vids very helpful
Best Airbrush Enamel Hands On DIE CAST CLEANER N' ACRYCLIC PAINT THINNER RECIPES-GRUMPY MODELLER
Best UA-cam Airbrush Enamel Comparison Hands On Video Yet Thus Far...In My Opinion Thumbs Up/Like X Infinity!!
Thank you
I grew up with brush painting models with Testors enamels. However, for air brushing models now, I'd rather spend more money on brands that dry/cure more quickly. Recommendations?
your right about the shine on model cars did a 69 nova in model master black looked like my first ride no sanding no nuttin just a great paint thanks dou p,s would love to see one of your builds
How long before coats do have to wait to tape for two tone paint job on model car. Also can you layer these like low rider paint styles. I'm trying to learn all I can, since I am still new to the hobby. Thank you for a y help you can give me
Great info..just getting into airbrushing thks
Yet again another great informational video
We just got the Revell rack in our shop. I've tried the Aqua for brush painting and it coats in one coat very nicely. I've a few colors to play around with so I can help my customers out with them and see how they play! Nice work on the last few videos man!
I put a dot of paint on my testors lids so I can see what color they are and from the top.
I love the square jars so much! I use the empty ones to mix colors I don’t have.
Feel free to send me your empties!
Heck I build models and would love to have the paint ya got
I almost threw all my testors paint, but kept them just in case. Glad I did! Super enjoyable and informative video!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video I have always been frustrated with the testors paint. Thank you for posting
I've been spraying testors enamel through my airbrush for years. Yes them dam stickers. I use the same lacquer thinner and my mix is 1:1. Lol ok you said 50-50. If I go a little heavy on the thinner it speeds up my dry time too
Hi a great video and great comment. I was wondering why you guys use lacquer thinner instead of paint thinner that’s mineral spirits-based. I’m not sure what lacquer thinner is based on...Would you guys be willing to share? I am new to the airbrush Painting and I’m trying to figure things out.
Want to get into airbrushing. Great video. Thanks for the info. Can you recommend what should be done for clean up? Just assume I know nothing about airbrushing. :)
What’s the shelf life on the old school Testors enamels after mixing with the laquer thinner?
Should last a few years if kept air tight. I store mine in high quality sealed containers like Tupperware with a rubber seal, the ones I showed in my Q&A video
Huge thumbs up! Thanks!
You're welcome buddy
Believe or not, the small Testors paint bottles used to cost 30 cents a bottle. I used to buy them at a local convenient store, and that was a very long time ago.
Does this 7ml bottle last a good while or are they very little
Awesome results, great video.
Just ordered creosote ps 290 5mm trigger action. Going to give it a go. Your videos and recommendations have bee excellent. 👍 Artie
Hi Rex....not sure if you are going to read this but I just subscibed. Actually just found you because i am going to try my hand at air brushing. I build models during the winter months and i have a guitar repair business out of my home, so i figured....why not try air brushing. Watching for tips and tricks and must do's and never do's. Will stay tuned.
When I drop something like these bottles, I always say, "Shaken, not stirred!"
Thanks for all the videos, you're very helpful Rex. I wanted to know if after converting the paint to a thinner consistency, can you still hand brush the paint if needed? Thinking of converting all of my Testors paints on hand to be ready to be airbrushed using your method, but will I lose anything of the way of needing to use that same paint for hand brushing. Thanks in advance, keep those awesome vids coming!!
I wonder if you can put some felt or even just a layer or two of masking tape over the plate for the paint mixer to help dampen the sound of the glass rattling against it. Thanks for the great videos.
Thanks so much for this tutorial, very helpful!
Your welcome buddy 👍
I have waterbase paints you can clear over. It's called auto-air. I've used them on motorcycle art. Testers have always been a great option.