Testors Spray Enamel

This will only be my second model and i am not spending money on Tamiya products until my skill level is to the point where results would be worth it. With that said, I am planning on purchasing Testors Spray Enamels to do my next model. Has anyone had good or horrendously terrible experiences with these products so I know whether or not it would be accaptable to buy. I figure that if I can get a decent finish with these then I'll go Tamiya

I'd suggest you start with the Tamiya paint. The Testors spray paints are notoriously difficult to work with and take a very long time to dry and cure. The added expense of the Tamiya is well worth it. Plus, why use a product that you will discard in favor of a better one down the road? Learn with it and apply what you learn to future projects, you will be glad you did... - Mark

testors takes a little skill as it LOVES to spray a gallon of paint in a few presses of the nozzle.. I get good results with any paint.. Just have to experiement and see what works best for you.

testors takes a little skill as it LOVES to spray a gallon of paint in a few presses of the nozzle.. I get good results with any paint.. Just have to experiement and see what works best for you.


u can use a different nozzle from other paint cans to get better spray

I agree with Scale Master. Go ahead and start with Tami sprays, they're not that much more expensive (what, $1? $2 more per can?) and are much more forgiving. You're right, they aren't a magic bullet, but they will help you learn better than will the Testors cans. It's like saying "Well, I don't want to use a nice X-acto knife just yet, so I'm going to wait until I can cut perfectly with a butter knife before I move on to the better tool." In reality, it should be the other way around; learn on the easier tool and progress to the harder one.

That said, I've had a couple great paint jobs from Testors cans, and more than a couple awful ones. Their QA is spotty, and some paints are better than others, and some days are better than others. It's pretty much the luck of the draw.

Whatever paint you decide to use, read the FAQ on painting, it will save you a lot of heartache! Use primer, spray mist coats before wet coats, and let them set up between coats. Spray a bit closer to the model and with quicker strokes than you may initially think is appropriate. Good luck!

You have a MUCH better chance of success w/Tamiya sprays vs. Testors spray enamels. Testors spraycan enamels are notoriously difficult, notoriously of poor quality, yada yada. They historically have created a ton of complaints from users. They've probably been responsible for more people giving up on the hobby vs. having success.

Don't skimp on the paint. If you can't afford an extra dollar or two to make your model look 10 times better, perhaps you need to find another hobby until you can better afford quality materials. Shooting Testors spraycan enamels is like a crap shoot (pun intended) and Russian Roulette...one can you might get good results, the next can could ruin a model. Tamiya paint has never, ever caused me to ruin a model. Listen to Scale Master and Willimo; they aren't just whistling Dixie.

BTW, Testors spray LACQUER is far superior to their enamel, but the metallics are more like Kustom Metalflake than in-scale metallic. The solid colors are nice. You have to clearcoat, and Testors Lacquer Clear works quite well. If you MUST use Testors, go w/the lacquers and not the enamels.

Hmmm weird. . .

I've used Testors for years and find them far better than Tamiya. The only exception being the semi transparent colors are a little hard to work with when sprayed from a can.

Before I switched to using automotive paint exclusively, I would replace the nozzles with better "fan pattern" nozzles that you can usually buy at better auto supply stores or just steal them from an existing can you may have lying around.

Just practice beforehand to get a handle on the volume of paint that the can sprays.

Good luck which ever way you go!

you should go to your local auto parts store, and pick up some dupli-color spray paints. best paint around for a good price, its the only paint I use on my models.

you should go to your local auto parts store, and pick up some dupli-color spray paints. best paint around for a good price, its the only paint I use on my models.


Good suggestion, JTRACING!!!

Don't forget that all important primer to seal that plastic up and to let it cure for a couple of days too!