Decent quality rattle cans

[Iain]

So, considering that I literally don't have the space for an airbrush and related equipment, I was wondering if there were rattle cans that provided good quality.  I used to be able to get good results with the Floquil rattle cans.  Does anyone have suggestions for someone that does as well?

[Lemosteam]

@Iain , Their railroad colors may be limited, but Tamiya has the best atomizer nozzle I have ever used so if you can find something close and plan to weather anyway, they get my vote.  I only wish i could swap their nozzle onto other products (which might be too thick for the nozzle anyway).

[nickelplate759]

I recently used Scalecoat II in a rattle can (for my Arnold FA resurrection project).  It seemed pretty good, although the paint comes out faster than I'd like.  I found I had to move the can quickly to compensate.

[MVW]

So, considering that I literally don't have the space for an airbrush and related equipment, I was wondering if there were rattle cans that provided good quality.  I used to be able to get good results with the Floquil rattle cans.  Does anyone have suggestions for someone that does as well?

I've been wondering the same, and would also appreciate recommendations.

Jim

[DKS]

...Tamiya has the best atomizer nozzle I have ever used so if you can find something close and plan to weather anyway, they get my vote.

This.

[Doug G.]

Back in the late nineteen sixties, My dad and I brush-painted our 1950 Ford pickup. It was a mustard yellow and a car enthusiast, in town, said he thought we did a good job (we rubbed it down to smooth it out, of course) When I got my license, in 1969, that truck was known all over town.

I know this is useless information for this thread.

Back when Floquil was widely available, it was perfectly feasible to brush-paint a model, it evened out so well. More useless information, I know.



Doug

[Cajonpassfan]

Anyone has any experience with Liquitex artist's rattle cans available at Dick Blick and elsewhere? Nice range of colors, if not necessarily railroad equipment colors. At  $6 a 400ml can, I'm thinking of trying some but have to mail order them and don't want to pay shipping for one test can....
Thoughts?
Otto K.

[nkalanaga]

I've had excellent results with both Tamiya and Scalecoat, and the Model Master cans generally work well.

[DKS]

Anyone has any experience with Liquitex artist's rattle cans available at Dick Blick and elsewhere? Nice range of colors, if not necessarily railroad equipment colors. At  $6 a 400ml can, I'm thinking of trying some but have to mail order them and don't want to pay shipping for one test can....
Thoughts?
Otto K.

I have quite a few of the Liquitex sprays. Basically OK--good colors, nice flat finish, but the paint goes on quite thick. I wouldn't use it for rolling stock, but for structures it's acceptable. I use them mostly to create a range of brick colors.

[Mark5]

Tamiya link:

https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/paints/sprays/

https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/paints/sprays/spray-ts-plastics/

[Cajonpassfan]

I have quite a few of the Liquitex sprays. Basically OK--good colors, nice flat finish, but the paint goes on quite thick. I wouldn't use it for rolling stock, but for structures it's acceptable. I use them mostly to create a range of brick colors.

Thanks DKS, I'll try some. I mostly need them to tweak foliage colors to match my photo-based backdrops. I'm sure I'll use them on buildings, too; being an art store, they seem to have quite a range of real world colors.
Otto

[wazzou]

Thanks DKS, I'll try some. I mostly need them to tweak foliage colors to match my photo-based backdrops. I'm sure I'll use them on buildings, too; being an art store, they seem to have quite a range of real world colors.
Otto

@Cajonpassfan If you have a Michael's nearby, go into the paint section where the cans are all locked up and ask about Floral Spray Paint. 
They have all kinds of different natural colors.
I'll try to remember to snap a photo of a tree that I sprayed some of the Orange on to mimic late Summer/early Fall foliage.
Much more natural than using colored foam.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Bryan, we do have a Michaels nearby.
 I'll give that a try!
Otto

[chicken45]

An airbrush is much smaller than a rattle can. The compressor is the biggest thing and even then, it takes up less space then 6 or 8 cans. I suppose it depends on how big your compressor is and how many rattle cans you are going to store.
I suppose it depends on how big your working/storage space is.

[Cajonpassfan]

Josh, you're right of course, and I do have a paintbooth and a compressor/tank combo along with a couple of air brushes for those things that require it. For a quick hit on structure parts or some foliage overspray, nothing beats the convenience of a rattle can. Besides, I'm looking for multiple artist's colors here to match my photobased backdrops, and the notion of mixing and matching leaves me cold as it will require come experimentation. Rattle cans seem like a qood way to go, if I can find the right colors. (So far I failed, see below)...
Otto