Question for hobbyists: Model paints

[1sikbITCH]

I am building my very first model ever. It's a cheap model (Babylon 5 space station) that will be hanging overhead from the ceiling, and so I'm not all that particular about having the most spectacular paint job.

I notice paints at the local hobby shop are $5 each, and you can pick up both acrylic and enamel paints at Michael's Crafts for 99 cents each.

Any reason I can't use these on the model?

 

[shortylickens]

I dunno but dont bother with regular Menards home spray paint.
I used that on some miniatures and they just looked like blobs when I was done.

 

[zinfamous]

paints have different bases. oil, water, acrylic, etc. they appear differently on various surfaces. oil on canvas vs oil on wood. some combos are better matched than others.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
paints have different bases. oil, water, acrylic, etc. they appear differently on various surfaces. oil on canvas vs oil on wood. some combos are better matched than others.

Yes. My question is: are the acrylic paints that cost $5 made specifically for models any better than the acrylic paints that cost 99 cents and are sold for arts and crafts?

And same question for enamels also sold in both types of stores.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Spend 99 cents on a bottle of gloss black and try it on some of the plastic connector pieces you won't be using. If it works, great. If not you've only spent 99 cents.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Hah reading your post reminded me that I already have a bottle of black gloss leftover from a previous project, and that's a great idea! I can't see what the difference would be.