Question About Zero Paints

What exactly is the kind of paint that Zero Paints sells? I read "acrylic basecoat" in their FAQ, but I'm not exactly sure what that means.

It's automotive acrylic basecoat, just the same paint as they use on full size cars. A lot stronger solvents than in hobby paints. It dries matt finish too, so it needs clear coating to get a shine. Hope that helps..

I just bougt a few bottles for the first time. It says solvent based acrylic. Very nice to use and in my current weather dries instantly.

I just bougt a few bottles for the first time. It says solvent based acrylic. Very nice to use and in my current weather dries instantly.

Hemi killer - I also use "Zero" paints exclusively now. - the shipping gets a little expensive but I think they're worth it when you consider the outcomes and the ease of use - storage - mixing - compatibility - etc and their 2K clear is the best. - John

you can go to your nearest body shop and get the same

yes one can go to a body shop or even a paint retailer shop, but without the paint codes you wouldn't necessarily get the correct color - then there's the issue of what is the smallest quantity you can buy - then you need to reduce the paint with reducers for airbrush consistency then you have to store all that - "Zero" works because you get it all premixed in a glass bottle with a metal lid it's labeled - it's enough to do the model - very easy to use - and if you have to, stores well. The only down side is the shipping costs.. - John

I agree with John. The thing you get with Zero is convenience. If you went into a local paint supplier and asked for 60ml of Camel Yellow or 60ml of Rothmans Blue you would most probably get blank looks. Sure they can mix it, but they need the codes to do that. Zero just takes the hassle out of buying colour matched paint. I'm lucky because living in the UK the shipping costs are very reasonable. I know they can be very expensive to ship abroad because of the weight and the fact that some countries even won't allow them to pass through customs as they deem them as dangerous goods..

other thing is that its hard to see for example camel yellow in real life so you dont exactly know if its true matched.

I know they can be very expensive to ship abroad because of the weight and the fact that some countries even won't allow them to pass through customs as they deem them as dangerous goods..

Unfortunately that's the sad truth. I got a quote to ship to Australia and I just couldn't justify the cost. But I would certainly love to give them a go.

What about Scale Finishes?? Are they a viable alternative? They may be not quite as popular as zero but ive heard nothing but good things about them!!!

What about Scale Finishes?? Are they a viable alternative? They may be not quite as popular as zero but ive heard nothing but good things about them!!!

Scale Finishes wont ship to those of us outside the USA.Their website also says they are currently out of business

Scale Finishes wont ship to those of us outside the USA.Their website also says they are currently out of business

I'm hoping that Scale Finishes will reopen as I am wanting to do the Flying Lizard cars and they have always had great prices and ship free in the US. The only alternative that I know of is Model Car World which can get expensive very fast, but it is still way cheaper than the cost to ship Zero paints. I wish there was a US distributor as they have several colors I would like to try.
Nic

Hey Guys - I just read Mac's newsletter "Mac's Modeling" and it says in there he met with Hiroboy's Steve while over in the UK - and that Mac is working on carrying the paints here - PM me if you want me to forward Mac's newsletter to you - email what address you want it sent to. - John

Nic - I bought the 2011 Flying Lizard paints from Hiroboy along with a bunch of other paint up to the 2Kg shipping limit and they worked out to be $20 for the 3 60ml (2oz) bottles which is not bad when you consider the positives of the paint. - John

What about Scale Finishes?? Are they a viable alternative? They may be not quite as popular as zero but ive heard nothing but good things about them!!!



I believe Scale Finishes are also "lacquer" paints

I'm hoping that Scale Finishes will reopen as I am wanting to do the Flying Lizard cars and they have always had great prices and ship free in the US. The only alternative that I know of is Model Car World which can get expensive very fast, but it is still way cheaper than the cost to ship Zero paints. I wish there was a US distributor as they have several colors I would like to try.
Nic

I spoke with Jameston from Scale Finishes 2 days ago and he will continue business. I asked for international shipping because I also wanted to try these paints but he says that it's not possible. Don't understand why when I receive paints from China, from Japan and the Zero Paints from Hiroboy without problems. Wouldn't anybody want to send me a bottle or two well packed in a box? I would pay first by PayPal.

I spoke with Jameston from Scale Finishes 2 days ago and he will continue business. I asked for international shipping because I also wanted to try these paints but he says that it's not possible. Don't understand why when I receive paints from China, from Japan and the Zero Paints from Hiroboy without problems. Wouldn't anybody want to send me a bottle or two well packed in a box? I would pay first by PayPal.


My business is shipping equipment and chemicals for the stone business. They are very strict, and certain countries to not allow import from other countries, and some will not allow export to others.

it would probably be easy, but if youre caught, and they want to prosecute, you can wind up in deep trouble on top of paying fines.

My business is shipping equipment and chemicals for the stone business. They are very strict, and certain countries to not allow import from other countries, and some will not allow export to others.

it would probably be easy, but if youre caught, and they want to prosecute, you can wind up in deep trouble on top of paying fines.

Hemi Killer is correct - here in the USA to ship "flammables" via our USPS postal system it is punishable by a $10,000.00 fine if you're caught not to mention any prison time. Even UPS and FedEx will only ship them via ground. I have always questioned what is considered a "flammable" because given the correct situation and conditions - everything is FLAMMABLE. - John

Hemi Killer is correct - here in the USA to ship "flammables" via our USPS postal system it is punishable by a $10,000.00 fine if you're caught not to mention any prison time. Even UPS and FedEx will only ship them via ground. I have always questioned what is considered a "flammable" because given the correct situation and conditions - everything is FLAMMABLE. - John

Wow! Didn't know that the fines were so high and even prison would be considered. :headshake

Not even with a MSDS certificate? And as you say almost anything is flammable. Paper is extremely flammable with just a spark for example.

I understand (but don't share) the strict laws with shipping flammables by air.

Well I guess I might have to forget it then but luckily I can still use Zero Paints :cool:

Wow! Didn't know that the fines were so high and even prison would be considered. :headshake

Not even with a MSDS certificate? And as you say almost anything is flammable. Paper is extremely flammable with just a spark for example.

I understand (but don't share) the strict laws with shipping flammables by air.

Well I guess I might have to forget it then but luckily I can still use Zero Paints :cool:


tuningmaniacs - the USPS will not ship anything that requires a MSDS "hazardous" label - that's why they will not ship the paint. For any company it is too litigious if something went wrong as most everything USPS is shipped by air at some point. It could be shipped to you UPS or FedEx "surface" but many times surface takes too long or gets "lost" stolen by someone in the shipping link hoping it's something of value. I've ordered several things from Europe -Germany - France and every time the package has been broken into - sometimes things are missing sometimes it's all there - not sure what is going on but I think someone is opening packages hoping it has a value they can steal - the problem appears to be the international sorting facility in New York. I always ship with tracking and many times the package is located at the sorting facility for 2 or more weeks and when you submit a tracking request for a lost package suddenly the package arrives a few days later all taped up with a letter stating it was received open. Makes you want to say mmmmmmmm??????? - if you really need the paint from a company in the USA - PM me and I will see what I can do about getting it to you. I know I really like the Zero paints and I usually buy 2Kg packages at a time from Steve at Hiroboy to keep the shipping down but still it's 46 British pounds to ship 2Kg to the USA which is about $75 USD - so I will keep biting the bullet and paying the price. For all the USA "Zero" paint fans - Mac at Mac's Modelling (AZRM) is going to try to import them thru Steve at Hiroboy - PM me if you want a copy of the "newsletter" - John

... - if you really need the paint from a company in the USA - PM me and I will see what I can do about getting it to you. ...

Much appreciated but I don't want anybody to risk get in serious trouble because of some modelling paint. I'll stick to Zero Paints which I can buy without problems.

Thank you anyway.
Regards

I hope Scale Finishes is back up and running again soon. Jameston is a good guy, and his paints are great.

If you're in the US, I would also suggest checking out Coast Airbrush. Basically a custom automotive paint store that caters to smaller needs. The House of Kolor line is very nice with all the effects you can create. The downside is that they don't sell paint color-matched to racecars.

However, when you see what you can do with HOK paint, you might just put aside the racecars for a bit and say, "let's see what custom paint job I can do with this car."