Introduction to Real Colors by AK

Let indeed hope that this brings some clarity. I must admit that I am a bit lost with the huge choice there is these days and testing everything myself seems a bit beyond what is possible.

I was referring to the paint name AK chose as being a marketing hype. Were none of AK previous paints "real colors"?

I just think they are a overpriced. $2.69 for 10 ml, when most other companies are $1.5-2? Why bother

Yep, seems expensive but quality has a price. Their inttorduction video's show that they went to a substantial effort to identify the correct colors for their subjects (AFV) involving 4 experts (who don't work for free I assume). This comes at a price. Is the modeller prepared to pay that price: this is what each individual has to decide for him/herself. Is that quality real or only marketing hype: this we will have to find out by trying ourselves, or by reading reviews on kitmaker. I keep wondering however how many of the paint branches we have are actually different products and not the same thing in slightly different packaging. Still, I wish any company or entrepreneur the best of luck and a good business. Competition is good for us.

I don't think the paint justifies the price gap over tamyia or any other

Price will be a factor, i will (probably) never switch from GunzeSangyo as I am too happy with them. True, possibility of mixing it with GS is appealing. However, I`m annoyed with them not deciding if the range is Acrylic or Lacquer. They went from calling them lacquer to acrylic lacquer and testing them on Acrylic paints (which are not true water based paints)which are considered,for all intents and purposes, Acrylics. So, do they say Hey, we are a new not seen before medium based paint called Lacquer Acrylic( or Acrylic Lacquer) or Hey,we are a new Acrylic range or Hey, we are a new Lacquer range

Although I like the idea of competition as we will be the winners here, the hard economic facts are I have an abundance of paints. I have about 60 bottles of MRP, the full Tamiya line in the larger bottles, a full set of Vallejo Model Air, a near full set of Vallejo Model Color, several specialized packages of Lifecolor, a full set of Alclad II metallics, a full set of Vallejo Metallics, a smattering of AK and AMMO acrylics, about 40 jars of Modelmaster enamels, and I’ve just started to build a collection of Mission Model acrylics that I really like! Right now my main go to paints are Mr Paint, Tamiya, and Mission Models acrylics, over either a primer of Gunze 1500 black, Tamiya primer, or Stynlrez, and I’m very happy with the selections. I daresay I’m probably not alone in this “abundant collection” of paints So the reality is in this tight market, I may try a bottle or two, but it will be ages before

...I would consider taking on a new paint line.

Isn't that the problem for most of us, I have mainly Humbrol but also Tamiya,some modelmaster, vallejo (hate that stuff), AK, MIG... all bought to try and see if it was any better than Humbrol... and now I constantly doubt if e.g. painting tamiya acrylic on top of Humbrol enamel will give good results (or something like that ...). The same for models themselves... I have a stash large enough for the rest of my life, and despite all good efforts, it only grows, which is ridiculous if you think about it: why do I want these models on a pile on the attic if I can buy them anytime from anywhere in the world at the moment I really want to start building them? Paint is different however, its much more like a tool and I don't want to run to the internet shop and wait a few weeks because I miss a color. So yes, I do look with a lot of interest to the current popping up of all these paint branches in the (false?) hope that I will be able to standardise on one branch. Apparently, AK involved 4 experts on constructing a good paint range, maybe us the modellers and clients should join forces and do the ultimate paint comparison test? Would that be a subject for a campaign????

I use Tamiya paints because of the lack of odor and the ability to thin with alcohol and clean with windex-things I can purchase easily which makes them very convenient and again reduces the chemical odor. Plus, they airbrush very well and the paint has excellent adhesion. Does this new paint act like Tamiya or is it strictly a laquer?