Badger ModelFlex paint?

[kalbert]

Anyone have experience with ModelFlex? I've got a ton of questions about it. I see their catalog lists a wide array of colors, most importantly the railroad colors I am most likely to use. I have always used PolyScale and ModelMaster Acryl paints, but only because the local craft chain store carries some MM and I've been to stubborn to try anything besides PolyScale.

I see it claims to be ready to spray, is it? Is it too thin to brush for detail and touch up?
How about cleanup, do I need any special cleaner or can I still use Windex and water?
Cost for a 1oz bottle is a buck or two less than PollyScale, does 1oz of ModelFlex go as far?
Are they fairly consistent one bottle to the next?
Any special considerations for primer?
Any special considerations for decal application or clear coating?
Any special considerations?

[Nick Lorusso]

Model Flex is thin. It is airbrush ready right out of the bottle, and already has a gloss finish. I personally like the paint. Only if my local hobby shop would stock it on a normal basis, I would use it more. I've used Poly Scale prime when I use light colors just to give the paint something to bite onto.

Regards,
Nick

[jagged ben]

Although I've used it a bunch, I'm not a fan.  It is indeed thin, except when it pools up and dries thick, so it requires multiple thin coats (like 4-5) if painting details by brush.   I've sprayed it a few times and the results vary, but I've found it to bead up easily out of the bottle.   Also the bottles tend to not seal well and dry out.

[mcjaco]

I've used it for years.  It sprays right from the bottle. 

You do need to use multiple thin coats. 

[rschaffter]

I like it.  I use the Light Tuscan as freight car colour, sometimes adding some caboose red for variety...

[dougnelson]

I have used it for years and I like this paint for both spraying and brushing.  Some colors may be better than others.  I have not needed to do more than one coat except for yellow.  It is particularly good for N scale in that it dries to a very thin layer, preserving details.  One other think is the unique plastic bottles seal very well and the bottles seem to last forever.  I have many bottles in good condition that are over 10 years old.

Doug.

[Catt]

I like Model Flex only problem is there is only one shop here that carries the stuff anymore.

[CBQ Fan]

I have used it before several times and I have always been happy with the results every time.  My main issue with any paint from a hobby shop is they never seem to have all the colors I need in one brand and I don't like to mix colors/brands.

[wazzou]

Not that it will matter soon, but I have freely mixed Modelflex and Pollyscale.

[benderda]

I've also had good experiences using ModelFlex, but since my LHS has stopped carrying it, I can only find it online these days.  I asked my LHS owner why he stopped carrying ModelFlex and his reply was that they didn't have room.        Made no sense as he just remodeled and doubled the size of the store.

I both spray and brush the stuff with good results and I decal directly onto the paint.  Cleans up with just water.

[kalbert]

I've also had good experiences using ModelFlex, but since my LHS has stopped carrying it, I can only find it online these days.  I asked my LHS owner why he stopped carrying ModelFlex and his reply was that they didn't have room.        Made no sense as he just remodeled and doubled the size of the store.

I both spray and brush the stuff with good results and I decal directly onto the paint.  Cleans up with just water.

He'll have plenty of room for it now that he won't have all that PollyScale, Pactra, and Floquil hogging up shelf space 

Sounds like this paint is just like any other, an you mileage may vary  . Thanks for everybody's your input so far, I appreciate all of it!

[ljudice]

Loved it for a while, especially freight cars, but it is just seems to sit on the shelf at the LHS forever and I've had some problems with some batches.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I use it a lot. Their Conrail Blue is right on the money for the lighter still stripe units. (I'm not crazy, I sware they started using lighter blue in 1989 when they added the still stripe.)

Most colors go on well, do not run and are opaque. The main exception is yellow, which seems to be translucent. It needs a very light gray primer. The paint drys to a nice satin finish almost the same sheen as Microscale decal film.

You can mix Modelflex, Tamiya and Model Master Acryl paints easilly. Tamiya paint thinner is the best for any thinning you may need.

The paints do dry over time. They can also gum up more than PolyScale.

[nkalanaga]

The few bottles I've used didn't seem to reseal well, but I solved that by covering them with a piece of clear plastic and a rubber band.  Nothing fancy, just drape the plastic over the lid and wrap the band around the neck, under the lid.  There's no need to use fancy plastic wrap, either, the bags magazines come in work fine, and are both free and quite tough.

[casmmr]

This paint is gloss or semi-gloss which means that all buildings you use it for need to be dull coated.  However, dull coated buildings never in my opinion look correct.  ModelFlex is great for engines/freight cars but not for buildings.  We need flat for buildings.  Vallejo might be the only way to go for buildings.  Now instead of one paint, you will need one for engines/cars and another for buildings.  2 inventories of paint instead of just one.