MRP paints, they're great yes, but not really worth it in my opinion

[Maketar Productions]

On 4/26/2026 at 8:29 PM, Hubert Boillot said:

Even though I recognize that a paint work can make or break a model, I have never been a great practitioner in painting, and it’s never been my favorite part of modeling …

I have nevertheless learned to use, passably, an airbrush …

But the thinning of the paint for airbrushing is certainly the least likeable part of preparing an airbrush session : select the paint, get a plastic pipette to suck-in some paint, pour the paint in a jar, get another pipette for the thinner, gauge what you need to get the proper consistency, pour it on the paint in the jar, close the jar, shake and mix, take another pipette to transfer the mix into the airbrush, start spraying, discover that the mix is not thin enough - or too thin - empty the airbrush cup in the jar, adjust the mix, use the pipette to put the new mix in the airbrush cup, do another spray trial … You see the drift. Plus, you have to prepare enough mix to make sure you will not have to prepare another batch. So, if you have prepared too much, what do you do with the extra in the jar ? You keep it, just in case you need to do some touch-ups. And when the model is finished, do you keep the jar, empty it in the original paint tin or bottle, or throw it away ? Add to that all the opportunities for a mess that  these multiple liquids’ transfers entail … 😱 

 

So, with any non-airbrush-ready paint brand, it’s three pipettes, a spare jar, a lot of hassle, and some waste because the quantities are never right …

 

With MRP paints, on the other hand, just pour some in the airbrush cup, try and spray … You can put too little in the cup, and it’s no problem, because you can just add one more drop if needed, without wasting paint …And the result is fairly fool-proof in all cases … Ditto for touch-ups : just a drop from the same bottle, et voilà !

 

So, IMHO, MRP paints are very expensive, yes, but not so much more expensive than other paints, when you add the accessories needed and the almost inevitable waste … And the convenience, for a very average painter like me, is worth the extra expense …

 

Hubert

 

This part in particular i dont understand: So, with any non-airbrush-ready paint brand, it’s three pipettes, a spare jar, a lot of hassle, and some waste because the quantities are never right …

 

Why so much hassle? A few drops of thinner first into the airbrush cup, a few drops of un-thinned paint using tamiya metal paint stirrer, use the same stirrer to stir a bit and spray... after a couple of times you will get a hang of the exact paint to thinner ratio, never failed me at least.

 

Yes, pre-thinned paint is ideal in theory, not always in practice, again, at least for me :-)

 

All the best,

Alek 

 

 

[Out2gtcha]

25 minutes ago, Maketar Productions said:

 

This part in particular i dont understand: So, with any non-airbrush-ready paint brand, it’s three pipettes, a spare jar, a lot of hassle, and some waste because the quantities are never right …

 

Why so much hassle? A few drops of thinner first into the airbrush cup, a few drops of un-thinned paint using tamiya metal paint stirrer, use the same stirrer to stir a bit and spray... after a couple of times you will get a hang of the exact paint to thinner ratio, never failed me at least.

 

Yes, pre-thinned paint is ideal in theory, not always in practice, again, at least for me 🙂

 

All the best,

Alek 

 

You must be a better man than I.

 

Every time I used Tamiya-like paints the mix seems different because I don't tend to mix ratios the same each time, as a lot of paints like Tamiya have issues if you don't add things like retarder. 

Once you start having to mix more than 2 things together I'm out. 

 

IMHO, why mess with absolute success; each and every time I use MRP it just sprays correctly.

No need to worry about how much thinner I added or didn't add, no need to worry about the air brush tip drying out, no need to worry about adding retarder, no mixing cups, no stir sticks.

 

Just take it off the shelf, shake it for a few min, squirt some in your air brush cup and away you go; and it sprays perfectly for me every single time.

 

That right there is the main thing for me personally.

Its not just that other paints need mixing...

If they ended up spraying nicer than MRP you'd better believe I'd be swapping over, mixing or no. But they don't.

Generally, a lot of other paints seem like you dont end up with quite as smooth of a paint finish, even when the mix is perfect and sprays perfectly. I found that the case with other paints with the exception of other acrylic lacquer or lacquer paints like Mr Color, which is one reason I switched to lacquer or acrylic lacquer paints exclusively.

 

[quang]

Where’s the fun in painting without the joy of diluting and mixing colours? 🤔 

[Out2gtcha]

3 minutes ago, quang said:

Where’s the fun in painting without the joy of diluting and mixing colours? 🤔 

 

I honestly wouldn't mind it at all if the end result was better than what Im currently using!

[RCPlym]

25 minutes ago, Out2gtcha said:

I found that the case with other paints with the exception of other acrylic lacquer or lacquer paints like Mr Color, which is one reason I switched to lacquer or acrylic lacquer paints exclusively.

 

 

Hear hear!

These water-based things are nothing but trouble for me. Simply do not like them, and it is not for want of trying. Different thinning, retarders or no retarders... Nope! 🤣🤔🤣 

 

Old-school enamels (Xtracolours or colourcoat) still hold firm with me, but the acrylic lacquers like Real Color, Tamiya, Mr.Color etc. (and about to try Hataka Orange Line when they arrive) that require thinning are now gaining ground.

I bought a lot of MRP, but I'm finding the pigment starts to fall out in a matter of minutes of inactivity - even a small 'ease springs' saw it happen. I have two bottles of one of their black colours here that are totally white at the bottom and no amount of shaking gets all of that white gone. I know a few ball bearings will deal with it, but nobody should need to buy bearings to stir paint! Plus there's the cleaning of them when the bottle is empty.

Yes, they spray well, but it takes several coats to get the colour depth I'm seeking (I don't belive in preshading as real aircraft don't have that!) and they don't last long, so with that and the separation issue, I simply have lost trust in them. So once they are gone, I'll not be replacing them, except for the silver metallics they do.

 

But, I'll not denounce and pillory anyone for using whatever they want or doing it whatever way they want - it is their hobby and their choices. 😁👍👍👍👍 

[Diz]

OK, point taken, pre-thinned paint is a feature for some, but not for me.  I have found that I need to pre-mix, based on current conditions (weather, humidity, airbrush, etc.) so not a fan.  But that is a personal choice of technique.  I prefer Mr. Color consistency because I get more paint, which I then thin myself.  

That being said, I still like MRP for their pre-mixed paint colors, and it's airbrushing quality.  Perhaps the price reflects the labor in more accurate color research, plus coming from Eastern Europe, as far as logistics, and tariffs.  If that is value-add for you, fine, but if not, then don't buy it.  

Posts like these are hard to evaluate, simply because we're not mates, and have no way of knowing whether you have an axe to grind with these chaps, or throwing shade on them because you are a fan boy of another product.  Notice I'm not saying that you are. Just merely pointing out there's really know way of me knowing what your intent here is.  Just as I see people throwing shade on Kotare; is it a valid criticism, or are they just casting aspersions to pimp up their chosen vendor. 

Again, not saying you have some hidden agenda, just it's very difficult to determine.  People do this sort of thing all the time.  And in fact, I agree with you on the pre-thinned aspect.  I just have reached a different conclusion, as to it's worth, to me.  

And I usually don't post something negative about a company, unless they've done something to REALLY piss me off.  And again, that's just me.  YMMV.

This not a personal attack.  Just to point out how a post like this may come across to others.

That is all.  Carry on.  

[RCPlym]

 

Great post! 👍👍👍 

Thanks for that. I'll carry on now. 🤣🤣🤣

 

No agenda from me - hidden or otherwise.

Tried MRP, like the finish. Absolutely do not like the very rapid pigment drop out in the batches I have. Other than that, nothing to write home about. Won't be replacing any in the future, bar the Super Silver which is very nice indeed! 

 

For me, Tamiya, Mr.Color, AK Real and, very recently, Hataka Orange range lacquer ranges are here to stay. 

 

 

[Diz]

Yeah for sure, anything beats those old bottles of Testor's enamel, which were the only flat paints available for a long time.  

Cheers Mate.

[wunwinglow]

On 4/26/2026 at 8:21 PM, RCPlym said:

 

Way too complicated.

 

One pipette. One small dropper bottle for thinners. One paint mixing jar/tray. Experience gives right mix ratios and minimises waste.

 

Too much 'ready to go' things only reduce skill sets in many disciplines.

 

Now, where'd I put that bottle of MRP Light Aircraft Grey... 🤣😜🤣😜🤣 

 

 

I hope you grind your own pigments!!😁

[RCPlym]

18 minutes ago, wunwinglow said:

I hope you grind your own pigments!!😁

 

Nope. Hataka Orange Line do it for me now! 😁😁🎶

[Furie]

It's been almost 3 years since I got back into the hobby.

When I restarted, I decided to begin from scratch with my paints (Gunze, Tamiya), and after doing a lot of reading on this forum, I bought some MRP paints.

I use MRP exclusively now, except when I need to paint small details with a brush and NMF.

All the models in my signature were painted with MRP, apart from the P-47 and the Ki-61.

And I have absolutely no regrets, because for me MRP paints are clearly a cut above the rest.

[Out2gtcha]

2 hours ago, Furie said:

It's been almost 3 years since I got back into the hobby.

When I restarted, I decided to begin from scratch with my paints (Gunze, Tamiya), and after doing a lot of reading on this forum, I bought some MRP paints.

I use MRP exclusively now, except when I need to paint small details with a brush and NMF.

All the models in my signature were painted with MRP, apart from the P-47 and the Ki-61.

And I have absolutely no regrets, because for me MRP paints are clearly a cut above the rest.

 

Pretty much exactly my experience. 

I like a lot of the other paints, but after a ton of experimenting, for me, MRP comes out on top every time.