Acrylic Paint

[kinnies]

Yup, got one of those always on standby, not for plumbing tho. Use them a fair bit on those pesky little Testors' jars that I still have hanging around.
John

[Hannover]

For opening Gunze and Tamiya jars one of these is invaluable -





Fairly easy to obtain, best place probably Ebay.  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MR-HOBBY-GUNZE-GUNDAM-COLOR-PAINT-CAP-OPENER-GT56-/190530248581

P

[Dave Brewer]

I just use a cheap pair of nutcrackers I pinched from the kitchen.
Cheers,
Dave.

[Ian from Doncaster]

Or wear a rubber glove - great for extra grip on difficult lids...

[kinnies]

Well, well, there is a gizmo for just about anything ...

Of course, Tamiya could switch to the eyedropper bottle

John

[Von Schlepp]

I use a hammer.

Kidding, just some hot water and they come right open.
Works on jars of Mr. Surfacer too.
-Rog

[Des]

Thanks PDH for the link to the Gunze opener, I just ordered one, this little tool will make life a lot easier.

Des.

[Hannover]

Thanks PDH for the link to the Gunze opener, I just ordered one, this little tool will make life a lot easier.

Des.

You won't regret it Des. I thought that was a good price as well, mine cast me nearly £10 a couple of years ago at Telford.

Peter

[drdave]

Not a Hammer Des, a Birmingham Screwdriver!

[Todd Holaday]

I also like Tamiya for spraying.  I tried Humbrol enamel but those #$@ tins...plus I hate using oil based thinners.

I disagree with people who say Tamiya acrylics brush well though.  I use Tamiya thinner and still hate it for brushing.  It's like some alien blood that instantly coagulates.

But for spraying it's the bees knees.

I'm getting one of those openers.  Thanks for the pic.  Channel locks tear up my lids.

[Von Schlepp]

I have sprayed Vallejo at 18-22 psi. I usually have no problems and only occasionally add their  thinner. Tamiya I like way better and Gunze is hard to find in these here parts.
All of the above are easily cleaned with windex or alcohol.
Vallejo does take some getting used to.

-Roger

[Chris Johnson]

I disagree with people who say Tamiya acrylics brush well though.  I use Tamiya thinner and still hate it for brushing.  It's like some alien blood that instantly coagulates.

The cure is to add a drop or two of acrylic retarder to your paint and it'll put an end to that issue. It should be available at any art supply store.

Cheers,

Chris

[Todd Holaday]

Thanks Chris.  I will try that.  When I was struggling at first to brush paint with the Tamiya acrylics all I kept reading from the many internet threads was to make sure to use Tamiya thinner and dip your brush frequently in it.  That helps but it still has issues for me so I went back to only using the brush for very small items and often using oil instead.  I will track down the item you mentioned and try again.

[uncletony]

Yep, you can find it (acrylic retarder, that is) at any art supply store that stocks artist's acrylics. Liquitex is the brand I use. Just a dab is all it takes.

I think once you master them you will never want to go back -- the fast drying and simple cleanup are huge assets imo.

[michael]

has anyone tried tamiya's own retarder?

and if so is it any good?

michael