Automotive Radiator Paint

[CRL]

Has anyone used this in their modeling where very thin paint would be useful?

This is the thinnest paint I’ve ever seen... almost ink-like thin.

Unfortunately, I’ve only seen black color available.

[C855B]

Try these:

https://www.dickblick.com/products/jacquard-pinata-colors/

Basically a heavily-pigmented alcohol-based ink. Very thin, very durable. I have the basic set and have experimented with reasonable success in brush painting including white and other light colors, but no full projects. Main caution is it dries quite fast, so haven't risked airbrushing yet.

[peteski]

Accu-paint (discontinued), and Tru-Color paints also go on very thinly, and are specifically geared towards model RR hobby.  I was told that they are type of pigmented ink.

I have not tried radiator paint on my models.  Doesn't that paint need to be heat-hardened?

[Santa Fe Guy]

Try Tamiya Panel Line Accent Colour Paint.
It comes in Black, Brown, Dark Brown, and two shades of grey.
It is used by military modelers, drys quite quickly and I have used it now for a few years and love it.
Ideal for grills, accenting panel lines around doors, bonnets (hoods) on all sorts of models.
It does exactly what you want.
Rod.

[CRL]

Thanks. Those sound like they’d work.

[peteski]

I  assumed the  question was  about using it as a regular paint (which won't hide surface details), but then other responses imply usage as a weathering medium (as a wash, for darkening grills, etc.).  Which use did you have in mind?

[CRL]

Small details that can’t stand thick build-up. Handrails, grab irons & such.

[peteski]

Small details that can’t stand thick build-up. Handrails, grab irons & such.

Then as long as those are supposed to be black, then I guess the radiator paint should work. Otherwise, my earlier recommendation still stands. I also think that Badger ModelFlex paints go on in thin layer.