As we all know the paint world is always changing. Oil base paints are not what they used to be. Acrylics look promising but some are bothered by second and third coating that is necessary in most cases. The search is on for the ideal paint is on.
We've been using Modern Masters metallic acrylics for a fair while with excellent success. The paints are top quality, cover superbly and stay brilliant for a long time. The colors are pure and mix well with others in their metallic line without going muddy or dull. In short I'm sold on them.
In perusing the Modern Masters site recently I was reminded once again that they also offer a line of theme paints. These paints are guaranteed to be light fast even when watered down of used in glazes, meaning they will not fade. The paints are used by the folks at the Disney and Universal parks among others. I would bet that these professionals test their paints thoroughly to say the least. What is good enough for them is good enough for me. I decided to give the tests a test run.
The quarts of paint arrived while we were in Florida. I could hardly wait to give them a try. The first project I tried them on was a barrel sign for the pub. The paints covered great, mixed into glazes superbly using the teeniest amount of color. THis paint has a lot of pigment in it. The white lettering was dry brushed on in only one coat.
Hung in place the barrel looked superb. Thanks Donna for the great picture!
But the test on the barrel was only a brief one. It was time for the next project. I decided to try them on the signs for the Fox and Hounds. The real test would be the red and brown paint - for these generally don't cover very well. I mixed up some reddish brown paint and then brushed it on the fox. It covered superbly in only one coat. It dried quickly. Then I added a little white and yellow to brighten them up. This color dry brushed on and covered the deep red in a snap. Then it was time for the real test... The white came out of the can thick and creamy. I loaded my brush and began the test...
The white covered the red effortlessly in only one coat. This is my kind of paint!
The paints are flat that is with no gloss. They offer a clear coat in flat or semigloss. This clear coat offers even more UV protection. I'll be giving these paints a full workout in the next while. So far I love them.
-grampa dan
[ November 28, 2011, 12:55 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
That is really good to know, I just did a repaint on some displays using a good quality Latex and in come cases had to do 3 coats... thanks for the info.
Everything looks awesome!
[ November 28, 2011, 08:12 AM: Message edited by: Neil D. Butler ]
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
I agree, this is good to know. I've already checked and there are a number of distributors around here. I only do sign work every know and then but I do like to stay informed. I've worked in the business for forty years. I've seldom had to double coat and never had to triple coat until I started using latex on a few jobs. Double coating really wastes time and time is money.
Posted by Craig Sjoquist (Member # 4684) on :
The vender I use..Star Scenic Supply is only a few blocks away and they supply all the theme parks here plus all the artist that deal in faux and theme murals etc.
I've been trying many paints, themed paints seem to work best but not tried that brand yet but it will surely be next. Thanks for the info.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I was at Star Scenic Supply a few weeks ago when I was picking up supplies for the workshop we held in Orlando... what an awesome resource to have near you! I wish that kind of store was by my house!!
-grampa dan
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
There is one Canadian Supplier in Quebec...they even give directions on how to get there when I take my Truck... it's just around the corner from us...lol....
Just 1277.97 Miles! I think I'll get them shipped thank you.
[ November 29, 2011, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: Neil D. Butler ]
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
What is "theme" paint?
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
To quote the information on their website...
Modern Masters Theme Paint™ is a highly specialized line of water base, color saturated, exterior/interior flat, satin and semi-gloss paints. They are specifically formulated with the finest ingredients that are resistant to the damaging effects of the sun’s ultra-violet rays resulting in a highly fade resistant paint. Versatile application properties go beyond the brush, roll or spray techniques of typical architectural paints, allowing for specialty finishes from subtle color washes for rockwork to bold saturated colors for high visibility and impact. It is perfect for scenic artists painting theme parks, themed hotels and restaurants, backdrops and façades, and entertainment venues. It is also perfect for commercial contractors painting retail store fronts, restaurant chains, educational institutions, and commercial properties when vibrant or deep long lasting colors are desired.
Modern Masters’ Theme Paints were created for the world’s largest theme park companies who happen to be the most demanding audience, when it comes to color and color branding. Fading color means fading interest and fading income, which is not an option for this discerning group. Now your themed project or color-branded commercial project can benefit from Theme Paint’s extraordinary colors with guaranteed staying power.
Posted by Steve Luck (Member # 5292) on :
Just curious Dan what is the cost for this amazing paint? Quarts or Gallons? I plan to search for their website but would welcome any information you may have!
Sign-cerely, Steve
I have a waterpark that I do signs for every year and this coming season in 2012 is going to get several themed signs so this paint may be what I have been looking for!
Posted by Doug Haffner (Member # 12445) on :
I know this...if the paint is even close to the quality of the metallic line, it's good stuff.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Quite frankly I don't yet know the cost of this paint. How much you buy at once would certainly effect the price I would think. But I do know this... if it does the job well and lasts a lot longer than the paint I am currently using it really does not matter. The expensive part of the equation is labor and my shop rate. The paint is the small number.
I know stocking it would require a lot less paint than what I stock currently because it mixes so beautifully. I would only buy the premis colors and then work from there. I already own a paint shaker so mixing my ow colors would be easy in larger quantities. The colors are pure and rich and easy the mix in small quantities as you would require on small projects like signs. You can create your own paint system easily with the investment of perhaps ten - twenty gallons of paint.
In my case the paint is about a week away, shipped from California to my local dealer. I would keep a stock of each color in my shop, topped up for each job. Because I would do a lot of the mixing on a custom basis as I needed it, unused stock paint colors would carry over to the next projects. I would also keep a stock of empty quart (and gallon) containers handy to store custom mixed colors. I already do this for the glazes we currently create and use.
I don't try and save money on paint... my reputation depends on quality!
-grampa dan
Posted by Nathan Rule (Member # 4887) on :
quote:Originally posted by Craig Sjoquist: The vender I use..Star Scenic Supply is only a few blocks away and they supply all the theme parks here plus all the artist that deal in faux and theme murals etc.
I've been trying many paints, themed paints seem to work best but not tried that brand yet but it will surely be next. Thanks for the info.
Wow when you said you were a few blocks away i clicked on your link to your website to see where you are and, Lo and behold you did the hand lettering at wildside - where i did the sign and the logo design!
very cool!
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
So....I guess now we will be seeing a blog on the website for Modern Masters.
Ka-Ching!!
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
I would be very Interested how it compares to Nova Color. I have switched most of my Dimensional painting over to them and have never been happier. But I do know MM Paints are great also as I do use their metallics like Doug Said since I can buy them Locally.
Have tried them out Side by side Dan or is Nova a Pain to get in your neighborhood.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I've used both paints with good success. In my opinion the Modern Masters Theme behaves a little more like the house acrylic I am used to.
In selecting the Nova paints you have to be careful you get the opaque colors as they cover much better. In Modern Masters they are all opaque. There is less variety of colors in Modern Masters but they mix superbly and easily to get any color I desire. I can also get Modern Masters paints though a local dealer which means I don't have to fuss with importing stuff.
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