Some of you probably already know one way (someone posted here) or another (rainbowten) that Japan has finally banned the exportation of spray cans (it is reluctantly understandable…). This means model spray paints and… *GASP* TOP COAT! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! TToTT /Darth Vader
*ahem* Anyway… well, this means that I’m SOL if I need more top coat and whatever I have left in my room will be the last I’ll ever have in the US (6 fresh cans). I also have yet to see any American topcoat spray cans in shops. This ban reeks of major suckage because now I have to scrap many “refurbish” projects, possibly my Force Impulse project (repaint), and rationalize what I have left. With six cans and more models than I can remember, I’m gonna have to skimp on some and use this stuff only on the best/most expensive one. This also means I now have to shuffle my model schedule around too… so expect some changes for the next few planned reviews.
I was somewhat expecting this to happen one day…but not this soon. Since last year, I’ve already been seeing imported Japanese hairspray and household chemicals being banned from Asian supermarkets here… so it was only a matter of time. On the bright side, this just gives one more reason (among hundreds…) to move to Japan :D
July 3, 2009 at 12:11 AM
When did the ban start?
July 3, 2009 at 12:13 AM
You can always try American Top-Coat, I havn’t tried it yet, but I hear that Krylon Matte top coat works well. You can find it at Fred Meyer in the spray paints section, good luck and please post about it if you get some, so I can see if it works XD
July 3, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Chaosblade, last month
Gamedingo, o0o… Fred Meyer? I’ll go check them out! Though last time (years ago) I checked their hobby section, it was….uhh.. let’s just say I have better quanities and quality in my own room and garage.
July 3, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Hopefully my 4 cans of topcoat i ordered get here fast. I wonder why they could have done that? By the way, when i spray too much topcoat on a model, some white marks appear (like when you apply superglue)
July 3, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Hm…an American friend of mine mentioned he gets some matte clear spray at Walmart. Sure, it’s not Mr. Hobby, but it apparently does the job.
Personally, I used to use the “official” Gundam color spray and Mr. Hobby topcoats, but they drained my wallet waaaaay too fast for so little paint. So now I use topcoats and epoxy acrylic spray paints available at local hardware/home depot stores.
Mr. Hobby/Gundam paints in tiny cans – $5.30 each
VS
Acrylic epoxy clear/colored sprays in cans more than twice the size of the previous paints – $2.50 each
No contest.
Just my two cents, though. Use whatever looks best on your model, but I believe high quality for less offers the best value overall. These days, the only paints I buy other than sprays are Tamiya’s, since they’re easy to hand paint with, and the occasional Gundam Markers.
July 3, 2009 at 2:02 AM
Say what? o_0
Wish the hobby shop owner I frequently go to ‘does’ go personally to Japan.. Last time I went there they’re out of stock (mr. hobby matte topcoat).
Tried some other brand of matte topcoat, while they are cheaper (about $2 a can, twice the size) and does produce good results there are times when they get a some small air bubbles.. Anyone know why that happens?
July 3, 2009 at 2:57 AM
why did they ban spray cans? terrorism prevention?
July 3, 2009 at 3:14 AM
Aerin, try spraying from at least 30cm away from your model kit or parts, and make sure you shake the can really, really well (for a good minute or more, depending on how long the can was sitting unused on a shelf). Otherwise, the liquid may come out unevenly or in spattered chunks. And always start spraying AWAY from your kit and sweep over it with side-to-side motions.
Wait for like 5 minutes or so between coats then leave the kit to dry for several hours once you think there are enough coats. That’s what I do, I dunno about other modellers. I haven’t had much problems with these spray cans so long as I mix the liquid well.
July 3, 2009 at 4:15 AM
@ckai cydek
spray paints dont have problems when used properly… that’s why i dont have problems using industrial spray paints over tamiya spray paints…. and there’s a lot of cheap spray paints out there that produce the same or better results than that of tamiya spray paints…. im glad there are other people here who loves industrial spray paints…. rock on cheapskates(including me of course)… XD
July 3, 2009 at 6:40 AM
@Chaosblade: Though Z has answered your question already, to be more specific, the spray paints are banned from export on 19th June. My birthday!!
I’ve grown accustomed to not using topcoats because I’ve just started using them when my local shop stop importing new ones.
This is gonna be hard on you, Z, since you’ve been using them often. Saving them for the special version MGs and PG (maybe only sufficient for one PG?) is difficult since you cannot estimate how much topcoat is left when you leave those to be built at the end. Then, when all is built and you have topcoat left, you’ll wish you’ve used them on some MGs you’ve built before those special ones.
Quite a dilemma, I see…
Well, maybe you can use the leftovers for future MGs like the next incoming “special version MG”, or find another brand like other people suggested. Sorry, my rant is too long already. XP
July 3, 2009 at 6:53 AM
Wrll, not much to say about that except that it blows. :(
July 3, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Looks like I had to buy airbrush set to do my topcoat jobs….
In M’sia I only tried local spray cans Samurai, color quite nice, but yeah, problem is on the uncontrolled amount of blows….
July 3, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Well, it only gives your models more of that “home look” to be so plastic-looking without that precious top coat of yours. :P I forgot to actually take a picture or two of my GP02A so I’ll do that and maybe take some pictures of my “painted” (though I used markers and not paint) Altron and you can see how alright a job I’ve done on either.
I wish I could say I feel for ya, but I’d be rightfully dismissed as not understanding since I don’t have top coats for my relatively few models. But I’m glad people are suggesting alternatives here. Maybe I could just get something and use some topcoat, for a change. *shrug*
July 3, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Z, you could try to use it only on the armor panels. Maybe that would help reduce the use of the Top Coat.
July 3, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Wow, time to invest in an airbrush. This huge panic sounds like beer imports have been banned.
I used to use Mr Color’s top coats and covered a PG or 3x 1/100 models with 1 can. 6 cans is plenty in my opinion. But there are some fine substitutes.
July 3, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Wow did OB(Obama) do this or Japan? Haven’t used Topcoats but was gonna start trying it out on upcoming models :( At least japanese topies anyways :/ Guess I’m gonna have to find another solution mentioned here if I find it in a store
July 3, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Um, why not just try Michael’s or Hobby Lobby? I picked up a Testors Flatcoat and it works great.
I don’t understand why most modelers rely on Japanese products. Sure, they may be the “best” over there, but we have model shops too. Just not for gunpla.
July 3, 2009 at 10:16 AM
The ban was by the Japan Post International Exchange Center. My concern is does this effect hobby shops that do sell spray cans. I’ll have to find out and I’ll get back to you guys, though I have a bad feeling I already know the answer…
July 3, 2009 at 10:18 AM
ercjohn,
Now only if I could find a cheaper alternative to Tamiya paint…
July 3, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Wow Theres too much banning from Jap, First minorin , then some other site, then topcoats. With all of these irrational bannings, hell I fear that gunpla and figures are next in the merciless bannings list >_<
July 3, 2009 at 3:43 PM
@Gunstray now THAT would certainly please my parents…. no more spending money on plastics…XD
July 3, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Chaosblade, yes… when you spray too much on one area, the top coat will build up. Excessive top coat takes very long to dry and make the model look crappy afterwards. At that point, you need to wipe it off with alcohol and respray. I had to do that every now and then.
Ckai, the cans might be small but they get the job done for a little more than one model… and that is good enough for me. Proven quality for double the price is fine with me than skimping… and then have a mess to fix later. Though the only other brand I am willing to use as an alternative is Testor.
Arein, need to do some more shaking and faster spraying. Too slow and top coat will build up.
Chris, exactly why I am shuffling my project schedule around so I can hopefully cover at least the ones I want to put most of my effort in ^^;
sbhboi, the top coats I find locally needs to be used with an airbrush too. It comes in a bottle but it needs to be diluted as well.. way too troublesome @_@
Siroh, no picture I take can show completely just how much of a difference topcoat make. Not just topcoat but spray paints as well. I used to think “pff… big deal” about top coat as I was fine with straight-build… well, I am still fine with it but a little extra step doesn’t hurt ^^.
Aptkane, I’ve always been only spraying the outer parts ^^. No point spraying the inner frame besides the elbows and knees.
Darkage, I MIGHT just barely be able to finish the models I currently have…. but not sure if I can help a couple extra new models later down ^^;
Roy, it’s Japan this time though the FDA here has a hand in banning MANY other harmless things from Japan over the years…
J-Dub, the problem in my case specifically is… there isn’t any model shops here that have what I want.
Zro, it’s not like hobby shops outside of Japan get exceptions from the Japanese gov to allow them to continue importing spray cans… ^^;
Gunstray, Bandai will just have to stick a piece of candy in them and they’ll be good again for import.
July 3, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Finally…Some freedom!!
But what is this news?? I even ever tried using spray paint/top coat yet……T.T
does it apply only to US or world??
July 3, 2009 at 9:05 PM
@eyeshield30: Sadly, it applies to Japan, which in turn affects the world. Because the ban is not on the import of paints from Japan, but instead on the export of spray paints from Japan. XP
July 3, 2009 at 10:05 PM
i use american matte topcoat from hobby lobby and they work fine. any hobby store should carry some form of paint and coat, try them out some time. =)
July 3, 2009 at 10:43 PM
@z
there are a lot of other brand of spray paints that do the job better than those double-the-price-quality-proven sprays…. for example are pylox,bosny and rj london…. they are half the price of tamiya spray paints and are double the size and you cant tell the difference… XD
July 4, 2009 at 2:30 AM
Ah, Bosny is my brand of choice, as it’s the one that coats good and stinks the least ^^ I just recently got some Chrome and Gold metallic spray – I’ll test it a bit on some of my SD kits for the moment before I try them on the MGs.
RJ London has a nice selection of metallic paints, and their Metallic Gray is a near-equivalent of Gunmetal. Damn, Gunmetal’s fast becoming my favorite Tamiya paint…I’ve been using it on all my model’s rifles, guns, thrusters, and internal pistons!
July 4, 2009 at 4:02 AM
@ckai cydek
pylox stinks the most but it has the gunmetal color in its arsenal….both tamiya and pylox gunmetal are almost alike… XD
July 4, 2009 at 5:56 AM
i use bosny flat coat, it’s cheaper than mr. top coat, almost the same effect. i suggest you try it.
July 4, 2009 at 6:14 AM
I have to check the situation with Hong Kong – there’s still a lot around in hobby and model shops so it looks as if it’s not affected, but I need confirmation about the severity of the case.
July 4, 2009 at 6:37 AM
@Ako07
i agree…. almost the same results… XD
July 4, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Ercjohn, thanks for the tip on Pylox. So it has Gunmetal? Hm, that’s something to seriously consider, then. I’ve tried that brand before and it stinks to high heaven – one of my neighbors actually commented on that :(
I’m probably gonna have to start spraying well after midnight when everyone’s asleep ^^
Ako07, Bosny’s flat coat is pretty consistent, no? Though after several kits, especially MGs, I prefer to gloss them with Bosny Clear. Just my own taste, of course. I’d probably revert to flat if I do weathering.
July 4, 2009 at 8:50 AM
@ckai cydek
yes pylox has gunmetal but it’s not available most of the time…. the reults are quite good but as you pointed out it stinks a lot…. that’s why i stopped using it or now… XD
July 4, 2009 at 9:05 AM
@CKai: What if the smell is strong enough to wake them up? XD
July 4, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Rndm, I guess, I can always go to the roof of my house & spray there as a last resort.
Though I may be mistaken for some stalker or psycho if I’m seen late at night on the roof wearing goggles, gloves, and a face mask and holding a big metallic cylinder…
^^;;;
July 4, 2009 at 11:26 AM
sad news indeed :(((((
July 4, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Why do they want to ban these wanderful things?
July 5, 2009 at 5:43 AM
You can try floor wax like Future floor wax.
July 5, 2009 at 5:43 AM
@kkte
threats of terrorism i think… XD
July 5, 2009 at 5:51 AM
@mechwarrior
is that the acrylic wax that is used by a lot of other plamos???????? i think that’s for gloss coats only… XD
July 5, 2009 at 6:12 AM
Future is indeed a gloss coat-only finish. And to apply it evenly on a model kit, you’ll need an airbrush – I doubt a mere atomizer will do a decent job ^^;
It’s not so much a ban on PAINT, but a ban on aerosol cans, being highly pressurized and containing flammable liquid and all. I myself was barred from taking the local railway train when security found me carrying spraypaints. Apparently, they also don’t allow glass bottles. So I feel everybody’s pain on this.
July 5, 2009 at 6:29 AM
i dont feel the pain in this… XD
July 5, 2009 at 7:54 AM
Try this. Take an aerosol can, and write LIQUID NITROGEN on it. Then, take the can to a railway station or airport. See what happens XD
July 5, 2009 at 8:45 AM
haha… there’s no railway station here in our country… and nice one kkte… im pretty sure i’ll be surrounded with cops for a while if i do that… XD
July 5, 2009 at 2:40 PM
I’m not having any luck finding any of the brands mentioned above D:
July 5, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Like stated before, you can use Future Shine floor protection stuff. You can mix it with Tamiya flat base to give it that matte look that you like. In fact you have more control over how much gloss you prefer. You can go for a silky matte look, with just a slight hint of gloss. Ofcourse, this all requires the use of an airbrush, which kinda defeats the purpose of your modeling style I guess. It makes things a lot more complicated :)
July 5, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Z, do you have a Walmart or some kind of hardware/home depot store where you are? You could try there and see what kind of coating sprays they have. Check the brands available then check online to see what the popular opinion is on each of them. Since these sprays will likely be way cheaper than the Mr. Hobby stuff, you could probably afford to experiment with different brands.
When looking at the results of different sprays, I used old, shabbily-made 1/144s, SD Gundam kits and leftover runners.
July 6, 2009 at 5:08 AM
i just love cheap brands… XD
July 6, 2009 at 10:05 PM
OMG!!!.. WHY!!!..
July 8, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Would you believe that the store I went to didn’t even know about the ban?!
Regardless, as you stated Z, I don’t see an exception being made for international retailers that sell Japanese-manufactured spray cans. Time to stock up!
July 12, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Wait, this makes no sense. I just got my shipment of primer and top coat last week.
July 13, 2009 at 9:20 AM
They haven’t stop shipment at a local store is Los Angeles. They received a new batch of topcoat last week. whew….had me worried for a while.
July 13, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Hmm… then guess you guys are lucky ^^;. I’m just going by what I read at rainbowten. Nonetheless, I should pick up what I see now…