Humbrol powders v Vallejo pigments

[spikey]

Bearing in mind that I'm a weathering newbie and (for the time being) this relates to buildings and structures rather than rolling stock, what's the difference between Humbrol Weathering Powders and Vallejo Pigments apart from unit price and range of colours?

[brossard]

Probably not a lot for weathering purposes Spikey.  All very subjective of course.  I bought a jar of black and a jar of umber (earth) pigment from an art supplies store for a lot less than the model product prices.  These are my basic weathering colours.  I also have various powders from other sources.  Another good source of weathering colour is pastels, again from your art store.

 

I think an essential tool is an airbrush and compressor.

 

John

Edited February 7, 2018 by brossard

[Mick Bonwick]

Humbrol powders are coarser than Vallejo. This is not a problem unless you want really subtle effects like rust stains on a locomotive firebox, which Humbrol powders can't handle as well as Vallejo, MIG, AMMO and AK Interactive. What are your buildings and structures made of? 

[spikey]

 What are your buildings and structures made of? 

Some plastic kits (Ratio and Wills), some scratchbuilt with embossed plasticard skins.  All finished in Vallejo acrylics.

[Mick Bonwick]

Some plastic kits (Ratio and Wills), some scratchbuilt with embossed plasticard skins.  All finished in Vallejo acrylics.

 

Humbrol will work on Vallejo acrylics, but the others that were mentioned will work better, as well as giving you a larger range of colours from which to make your choice. But it is your choice.

[Brocp]

Go for MIG, AK Interactive or Ammo by Mig powders, I've found that they are by far the best. Humbrol ones are fairly course and the colours seem way too intense. The three companies (which in a round about way are sort of one) are much finer and the colours are more subtle. They also seem to stick better too.

[spikey]

Thank you gentlemen.  Points taken.

[Pinehill]

2 excellent colours are MIG Dark Mud (for subtle rust colouring rather than rust colour itself) & MIG Rubbel Dust (great for ash colouring). Both are very fine powders superior to any Humbrol or Carrs products.