Tamiya vs AK 3rd Gen

Transcript*

Intro

Tamiya acrylics versus AK third generation. Two heavyweight giants. A comparison that no one has asked for. So why am I doing it? Sunward Hobbies is filmed in front of a live studio audience. Hey there, my name is Paul. Welcome to another Sunward Hobbies YouTube video. [music] Uh, and before we get started, I just like to quickly point out that every single item shown in this video, [music] including all AK Third Gen paints and Tamiya acrylic paints, are available on our website right [music] now, sunwardhobby.ca. Links in the description down below. Let’s get to it. This comparison is a best of five. And here are the categories. ease of use, variety, airbrushing, hand [music] brushing, and finally durability. We could go on and on, but [music] I feel like these are the five most important. And yeah, let’s [music] get started.

Ease of Use

AK Third Gen paints come in dropper bottles, which is very convenient. It is basically pure water-based, just water, a little [music] bit of the resin carrier, and the pigments themselves. And it is water [music] soluble, meaning you can just go to your tap and just dab on water [music] and you’ll thin down the paint. Whereas Tamiya comes in a bucket. [music] Yeah, it’s a classic the bucket, but it’s not convenient like the dropper. They also smell [music] quite bad. I won’t say enamel terrible or lacquer terrible, but it’s still there. The fumes. [music] And finally, nearly every single step you do with Tamiya acrylics, because of its solvent nature, needs some sort of thinner. In this case, X20A thinner.

You can even use Mr. Hobby leveling, but you need thinner regardless. Some people claim that they use water, but you’d have to drown it in substantial amounts. And because of the added need of a thinner, it does add [music] to the cost. Now, the thinner itself is not expensive, but it is definitely [music] more expensive than just tap water. Don’t get me wrong, both are no brainers to use, but there’s [music] less barrier to entry with AK third gen. For ease of use, this easily goes to AK third generation paints. [music]

Variety

To me, it has a pretty decent collection, but it’s pretty outdated at this point in terms of selection. 100 paints split across two categories, X and XF. But AK Third Generation 500 paints split across three paint lines. You have their main line, the biggest rack. You have a small rack of air force and [music] navy colors. And you have the other rack right below it, army and figures. For variety, it easily goes to AK Third Generation. [music] This is where Tamiya comes back in a very big way. [music] for airbrushing.

Airbrush

It’s not even worth discussing AK Third Gen because Tamiya [music] takes the cake. It’s an obliteration for one reason only. Tamiya out of the two is the [music] only paint line that can take. Mr. Color leveling thinner, [music] the greatest thinner the hobby has ever seen in my opinion. From its leveling functionality to its retarder functionality, it’s [music] unparalleled. And it’s a lacquer thinner that works with solvent based acrylics without compromise. It is smooth as [music] butter.

Durability

In terms of durability, you can probably guess who wins, but let’s This is the Tamiya [music] demo piece I just showed. Let me just try to scrub it off. No primer, by the way. No primer. So, I’m literally trying my hardest [music] here. [music] So, nothing on my finger, no damage. [music] Now, let’s test out AK Carmine Red from AK Third Gen. Let’s put a little bit of water to thin it down. Remember, two thin coats. Uh, and [music] to make it fair, to me, I had no primer. This one will apply with no primer as well. It’s dried. Here comes the moment of truth. [music] Oh, no. [laughter]

But you’re like, Paul, there’s silver backing [music] on this one right here from Tamiya, right? [music] Okay. Well, then let’s grab one marine that I painted [music] silver off screen here. [music] Nope. Nothing. Nope. Nothing. [laughter] [music] So, durability obviously goes to Tamiya. It’s two to two. What could possibly swing this in anyone’s favor?

Hand Brush

We’ve come to it, the final category, and both these brands are premier here as well. Neck and neck. You have Tamiya needing plethora of [music] thinners to be as buttery smooth as possible. And you have AK Third Gen with either water or mediums. Regardless of what you choose, [music] there are no wrong options here. But I’m giving the edge to one brand here. All because of this one product, wet pallets. Whether you’re using the AK to coincide [music] with AK Third Gen, Vallejo, Army Painters, it doesn’t matter. [music]

Only one line gear is directly compatible with a wet pallet and that is AK third generation. You can store your paints while wet in the wet pallet [music] and leave it for hours, even days. Come back and it’s just as smooth as it was prior to you leaving. It’s incredible. And for you to replicate that feat [music] with Tamiya is shouldn’t even be considered. It is wildly impractical. The amount of thinners and/or water you’ll need to replicate it. Don’t bother. It’s not even close. Uh [music] and because of this tiny little advantage with wet pallets, I’m giving the edge to this category over to AK third generation. [music] 3 to 2 AK wins. You didn’t mention cost, [music] bro. Who wins versus cost?

Cost

You’re not wrong. I hate that you’re not wrong. So, because he’s not wrong, I’m giving the slight edge here to Tamiya. They do need thinners all the way, but they have three thinner sizes and the largest [music] is on par with AK Third Generations primer and thinner prices. And each Tamiya bottle is like a dollar cheaper. So, that goes a long way. It’s just a slight edge, but it’s enough for me to give it [music] to Tamiya in the long run. So yeah, they both have strengths and weaknesses, [music] but it is three and three. They’re both good at different things. So pick your poison. They will not lead you astray.

Paul’s Outro

So yeah, that’s it for me today. Thank you guys so much for watching. My name is Paul. Hopefully you enjoyed that video. Was I right or wrong? Let me know in the comments. Also, uh down below is our social [music] media accounts. Pick Your Poison. Follow us. We’re all active in all the accounts, including LinkedIn, funnily enough. Also down below is our website as well, sunwardhobbies.ca. And finally, if you enjoy this video, like and [music] subscribe. We’re trying to hit 20K. We’re almost there. Almost there. So, yeah. Thank you guys.

About the Author:

Paul Catindig As someone who’s been building model kits since he was 8 years old, Paul is very knowledgeable and adept at model kit building! When he’s not building or painting kits, he spends his free time cooking, playing video games with friends, or at a restaurant patio somewhere. Hopes to make his very own movie one day.

*Video by Paul Catindig
Video Edited by
Daniela Castellano
Transcript generated by youtube
Edited by Angelo Castellano