"Wargames Foundry recent paint experiences" Topic

I'm hoping this doesn't develop into one of those "paint threads" that go on forever with everyone chiming in about what sort of paint they use, etc. I just hope to get any recent experiences on Foundry paint. I have gotten in the last couple years some replacement triads for my colors that have run out. I had many of the Foundry paints starting in the early 2000s and used them for many years successfully. Of course there were a few bad colors, etc. Overall, I was always happy.

Since about 2016 these newer purchases seemed always to contain paint that didn't resemble the original. More watery, less opaque, and harder to explain but lower color value or less vivid hues. I cannot say if this is just a one off as I only got a few replacements over the last few years but with my intention to purchase a number of their sets I'm curious if that investment is as sound as it was over 15 years ago.

Strangely I used my first ever Foundry paints today. I'd been searching for a good flesh tone for my Zanzibari Arabs and Foundry had a middle eastern skin tone triad. They seemed to work ok, they seemed a little more watery than the Revell Aqua colour paints I use a lot, but they gave me a nice contrast between the African and European skin tones of my other miniatures. Of course I have no idea how the compare to older foundry paints but they did the job I wanted them to do.

Good to know you were happy! I think there is no other range of paints that has so many of the perfect pre designed shades for painting historical or fantasy miniatures meant for the tabletop. Of course you can do this with Vallejo but you need to calculate the color and then remember it next painting session! As time is the most expensive part of this hobby I try to do the most with it.

I've found the same thing. While it's been convenient to pick up Foundry Triads from Badger Games at the shows, the recently purchased pots don't even remotely deliver the same coverage as those I've purchased a few years before. The pigment saturation is much lower and they are pretty much always separating even with frequent use. The flesh tones which used to be great are now not good at all to the point that I've stopped using them.

Wow, that's really too bad. A great range it was at one time. Wonder what happened.

I bought a few triads about a year ago, but I was never happy with them. I experienced poor coverage too, but also had a problem with the paints drying with a glossy finish. After sitting unused in a box for about a year, I went ahead and tossed them.

I have to echo Extrabio's statement. I didn't find the triads I ordered last year very good, and found that no mater how much mixing I did, they tended to have a gloss finish even when dried. Not impressed.

Yes, much can be said about the good idea behind this range and how unique it is, but something went awry at the factory it seems. We will likely never know. A guess: from my limited experience with Coat D'Arms the same situation is occurring. They are touted as the old Citadel from the Good Old days, etc. I have found this far from true and they resemble Foundry with the same watery paint that doesn't cover like it used to and lackluster hues. I think it's all the same factory.

If I remember correctly, the factory that originally made the paint used in CdA and Foundry bottles closed or change target market many many years ago and slowly the contents are being replaced colour by colour with newer materials.

I'm sure it used to be HMG Paints in Manchester that did the Citadel line way way back and a glance at the site does not show anything in the model range.

HMG still make Foundry, Cd'A amongst others (RailMatch, P3, ModelMates, and possibly the 'new' Humbrol acrylics). They aren't advertised on their website. There used to be an image reference on the services page of the website, but nothing overt.

I've seen a few posts where the current quality of these ranges is questioned. My own experience is I've had the odd sub-par bottle but nothing major. If you take the lid off a sub-par bottle and leave it overnight, they seem to thicken up and coverage gets better. Almost as if they haven't been mixed properly and bad bottles are a bit too watery.

I haven't had any issues with any Citadel paint that I've bought in the last year. At least in my experience their color and coverage has been consistently very good.

Keep Your Powder Dry: Thanks that is good advice, I will try it with my Crimson Shade and Conker Brown.

Don Manser: We are talking about Wargames Foundry, you might have meant that but you wrote Citadel.

Wealdmaster – hope it works for you. Don't leave it somewhere too warm, and make sure it is out of the reach of cats.

Yours
a voice of experience ;-)

Hey WM,
I mentioned Citadel as a comparison to Foundry in that there has been no change in quality over the same period of time. It was in response to the comments regarding manufacturers and their associated brands.

I will let you guys know how it works!

Are they using a cheaper paint with less pigment?

Good question

I use them frequently and they are generally fine even after several years. I have noticed inconsistency in the hues for some of them. Some of the "B" pots don't always match.
I love the horse tones.
As long as the inside of the lids don't get dried paint, they last for a long time.

That gloss finish problem I have only had with some Vallejo Game Colour paints. A good mixing (not shaking) solved that.

But do your pots say Nottingham or Newark on them? The old ones say Nottingham.

Bandolier, when you say mixing not shaking, you mean you stirred them?

Strangely my aged bottles of Coat d'Arms brush on varnishes are a bit odd: the matt dries glossy, and the gloss dries matt.

Wealdmaster – I never thought to look before, but I have a mix of Nottingham and Newark pots.
And yes, I pop the top off the Vallejo bottle and stick a bit of brass rod and stir for 30 seconds. Seems to do the trick.