Games Workshop paint name changes

NARSES2 · December 18, 2019, 05:47:43 AM

For many years my go to acrylic paint for Gun Metal was Games Workshops "Bolt Gun Metal". Now a few years ago they changed the names of their paints and I've no idea what it's now called. Does anyone know ?

I have had a look at their website and am even more confused with all the varieties of paints they make/sell. No idea what half of them are intended for. I think you have to be inducted into a secret society before they tell you

Mossie · December 18, 2019, 08:34:38 AM

Posted this on the Airfix thread Chris:
http://www.tabletopgamer.com/citadel-paint-conversion-chart-your-ultimate-guide/

Metallics:
Boltgun metal: Leadbelcher
Chainmail: Ironbreaker
Mithril silver: Runefang Steel
Tinbitz: Warplock Bronze
Dwarf Bronze: Hashut Copper
Shining gold: Gehenna's Gold
Burnished Gold: Auric armour Gold

I've only got experience with the newer grey shades, similar but there's a little more difference between the ironbreaker and runefang, I felt chainmail and mithril silver were too similar.

GW's system is a bit convoluted, with different kind's of paint for different purposes (the cynic in me says it was created to sell more paint).

You start with the base paint, then there's a 'matching' paints each for layering, highlighting and shadow. There's a contrast paint as well which is billed as all singing and dancing (does the lot in one go), I imagine these are aimed at the beginner.

There are metallic base paints which I'm not familiar with so I haven't included them above, apparently they cover better and are similar in colour.

NARSES2 · December 20, 2019, 06:33:22 AM

Thanks Mossie. Duly noted

NARSES2 · March 11, 2020, 06:54:14 AM

Another thing about Games Workshop paints I've noticed is that they tend to cling to the brush for dear life when it comes to cleaning.

My usual cleaning routine of white spirit/water takes 4 or 5 times longer to clean the brush then with any other acrylic brand. Especially with some of their primary colours. Wondering if they are formulated for their own brand thinners/cleaner ?

Steel Penguin · March 11, 2020, 11:01:59 AM

Narses they are pure water based, with them designed and marketed at the younger market, anything more than water and maybe a little dish soap, is not needed. Normaly all youd need to do is give it a good swirl round with the previous ones I've had, and those are from the first issues up till a couple of years ago.

NARSES2 · March 12, 2020, 07:06:34 AM

Cheers mate. Maybe it's just mine getting a tad thick in the pot ? Odd though, they definitely take a lot more cleaning then either Xtracrylic or Hataka my main "go to" ranges.

Nefetiti · April 03, 2023, 07:04:40 AM

Hey there! It's been a long time since you started this thread, but I still wanted to share my 2 cents in case it could still help someone here. First off, have you tried looking at the Games Workshop website? They have a lot of different paints, and it can be confusing, but if you look around you can usually find what you're looking for. Plus, they have some great resources like tutorials and guides that can help you get started. If this post is a few years old and you haven't found the answer yet, it might be worth giving the website another look - things may have changed since then. Also, don't forget to check out the other forums and message boards here. There are a lot of great people here who can help you out, and you can even play bingo for cash too! So don't be afraid to ask around - someone will be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need any more help!

Steel Penguin · April 03, 2023, 08:02:13 AM

they have also done a rename / relaunch and the colours are not the same......
and not as covering, from work on an airframe recently i was not impressed.

PR19_Kit · April 03, 2023, 08:58:52 AM

They do make very nice paints for sure, but why, oh WHY do they keep on changing the names!

It's so stupid and only confuses people, plus it won't help their sales one jot as people will do the same as me and think 'STUFF THEM!'

Wardukw · April 05, 2023, 01:19:47 AM

Yrs ago when I had a 21000 point blood angles / imperial fists army the names for the paint was so easy ..blood angles red..chaos black..nurgle green and so on ..now as Kit mentioned the names make no sense to me at all and there not as good as they used to be..so thin now there more like washes for shading which is the new way to paint GW figures .
I watch a few channels on YouTube about the painting side of things..one guy called Nijon is a extremely good artist and he really knows how to throw paint around ...even he has mentioned about the quality of the new paints a few times ...it's like now GW is just working on the GW name and bugger all else...oh and of course the coin.

NARSES2 · April 05, 2023, 02:08:00 AM

Last time I popped into Games Workshop for some metallic paint I got totally confused as all the names had changed and there were at least, 3 different ranges/types (base, shade & one other ? ) The lads in there were very helpful but I doubt if I'll use them again.

Weaver · April 05, 2023, 05:04:46 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on April 03, 2023, 08:58:52 AMThey do make very nice paints for sure, but why, oh WHY do they keep on changing the names!

It's so stupid and only confuses people, plus it won't help their sales one jot as people will do the same as me and think 'STUFF THEM!'

Same reason they keep changing the rules: to make you re-buy all the stuff you've already bought all over again. It's the old 20-year lightbulb problem: once you've sold a customer everything they need, what do you sell them next? Remember that a lot of their customers are young enough to still regard any change as exciting and new, rather than having been around long enough to recognise the same old patterns.

Mossie · April 06, 2023, 05:18:56 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on April 05, 2023, 02:08:00 AMLast time I popped into Games Workshop for some metallic paint I got totally confused as all the names had changed and there were at least, 3 different ranges/types (base, shade & one other ? ) The lads in there were very helpful but I doubt if I'll use them again.

I recommend Vallejo's Model Air metallics, Chris. They go on nicely, I can find them locally which is a bonus. Their Metal Color range is supposed to be excellent, I haven't tried them yet. Slightly pricier though.

NARSES2 · April 06, 2023, 06:34:58 AM

Quote from: Mossie on April 06, 2023, 05:18:56 AM
Quote from: NARSES2 on April 05, 2023, 02:08:00 AMLast time I popped into Games Workshop for some metallic paint I got totally confused as all the names had changed and there were at least, 3 different ranges/types (base, shade & one other ? ) The lads in there were very helpful but I doubt if I'll use them again.

I recommend Vallejo's Model Air metallics, Chris. They go on nicely, I can find them locally which is a bonus. Their Metal Color range is supposed to be excellent, I haven't tried them yet. Slightly pricier though.

Do they brush paint ok Mossie ?

At the London Show in December I found Mr Models still had stocks of the old Humbrol Metal Cote shades, and they brush beautifully. So I bought a few and then again the other Saturday at the Spring show

Some of the Xtracolour metallic shades brush decently as well.

Mossie · April 07, 2023, 08:20:53 AM

Yes, they do mate, look good after a couple of coats. The standard paints in the Model Air range tend to take three or four.

Metalcote are some of my favourites, a little bit fickle but look good buffed up.