What's the best paint to use please?

[widget2k4]

Just bought a Mills Castle Front in need of restoration and wondered if any of you guys could recommend what paint to use as it looks like a small paintbrush job and not my usual spray cans.

Would it be the little pots of enamel you get for airfix models etc.?

I would really like a nice hard lasting finish on it.

[marktol]

Sounds Nice.

Can we have some piccies...!

I have not personally used the enamel pots before but I think that's what a number of other members on here use. I'm sure someone will advise soon!

Best of luck,
Mark.

[coppinpr]

You can't really beat the small Humbrol paints although good model shops (if there are any left now Modelzone have gone) do sell others, Tamiya for one. There are several makes all about the same but some have a better color range than others.

[widget2k4]

Cheers, I think I will have to get some small pots of enamel. It might take a few of them tiny pots though
I'm still awaiting delivery, so will post pics when it turns up.

[coppinpr]

They are available in larger pots.

[widget2k4]

cool

Picture as promised

[treefrog]

Well, the paint you have on that fine looking machine looks just perfect. Looks to me a very nice original machine with a whole host of patina you cannot replace.... Personally, that look on your machine looks a million dollars Save the paint and finish and the few quid you will spend and hours of effort.

[widget2k4]

I totally get what you mean by leaving it original but, if I did that, it would just spend it's life sitting in a shed as there would be no way in the world it would be allowed in the house looking like that. Although we men understand, it's the women that don't.

[aristomatic]

Looks a nice machine....

New v patinated original:
Treefrog makes a valid point to him and maybe to lots of other collectors too.
Widget makes a valid point for his own personal circumstances/requirements.

Twist or stick? Tough call.

Lots of options to think about before buying all those different Revell/Humbrol paints.

GP

[coppinpr]

This one IS a close call. I'm usually for restoring but this one does look nice. Widge is right though - only true collectors understand (and not all of them) about leaving original. If it's going in a man cave, dedicated machine room or for selling on, then I'd leave it; if its going indoors where the wife, family and guests will marvel at it, then restore

Or you could sell it to me and avoid all the worry

[widget2k4]

I take all your comments on board but I really had been looking forward to this resto since I bought it several weeks ago. Just got delivered yesterday and seeing it there in front of me makes it a hard decision.

I just love restoring them, that's the problem.

[polaris]

I also think unrestored Keith - get rid of the missus. Should you ever decide to sell, I would think the vast majority would love to get their hands on it in that condition.

[treefrog]

Sounds like decision made, I will find you a true rough Castle front and will buy your machine, fair swap...

Need to get a campaign going to save the castle, especially as most castles have preservation order 1 on them.

[coppinpr]

I will find you a true rough Castle front and will buy your machine

Sounds like you're laying siege to his castle.

[tazmantic]

Very nice looking machine

[widget2k4]

Sorry to everyone who disagreed but I finally did the restoration on the Castle. Here it is if anyone wants to see it?

Sorry about the light reflecting off it.

[silverbitz]

Great looking machine Widget....nice job. I agree that yours was a close call. I think if more turned up like yours originally was, it may be an easier decision to leave alone. I tend to target machines that leave me no choice. Usually reflected in the price too...

[widget2k4]

very nice mate, well done

[radiochrissie]

Hi widget, can you tell me what paint you used and the colour names please, I am restoring a similar machine and like the colours you have used.

[widget2k4]

Hi mate, can't remember the names of the colours was a long time ago but deffo would be umbrol paints