Humbrol Products Quality?

[6milPhil]

Living near to Hornby Hobbies as I do I've heard all kinds of rumours about them struggling, but recently I've experienced a severe decline in the quality of their Humbrol products (one of the lines they own alongside Airfix, etc.).

I bought a pot of paint which wasn't anywhere near full, and didn't seem to have been properly manufactured. There was pigment and a medium but they didn't mix.

Worse still is their spray varnish, so far this year I've had seven tins gum up on me in a way they never have before, and it's not like I'm using them any differently.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?




*Usual prayer to the Gods of LAF that I've put this in the right place.

[dijit]

I can't say I have. My experience has normally been pretty good with their products, but that said I don't think I've bought anything produced in the last year.

[zemjw]

I use Humbrol Matt Black spray for undercoating and their Matt varnish for, well, varnishing.

Can't say I've noticed any problems recently, and I find their cans a lot more reliable than they used to be. I haven't actually had one clog up on me in several years. And yes, I know I've just jinxed the heck out of that and I suspect the next time I even look at a can it will explode

I used to use their black from a pot to touch up where the spray had missed, but something changed with them. Where they used to be matt, the last couple I tried dried very satin, verging on gloss and didn't cover very well. Any other Humbrol pots I've tried haven't been up to much - although no where near as bad as the problem you describe.

The pot of paint you bought could have been a bad batch, so it may be worth another test. Having had two pots of black equally rubbish, I've given up on their pots. If I now start to get problems with their sprays, I'm blaming you

[6milPhil]

Thanks. 

[AndrewBeasley]

Sad to say but I agree.

The last lot of metallic paints I bought have been very poor compared to previous batches.  Like you I got a part filled pot, haphazard mixing and lack lustre coverage.

Not chuffed and will hunt around for another manufacturer next time.

[OSHIROmodels]

I haven't had a problem with the sprays (the only Humbrol product I use). Where are you keeping them Phil?

cheers

James

[6milPhil]

I keep them in my workshop in the house, so no extremes of temperature. I always shake them well. It's mainly been the varnishes esp. the enamel matt varnish, which I've heard is to be discontinued...

[OSHIROmodels]

I use the acrylic mat varnish and have done for a few years now and never had any problems (apart from humidity problems but that's not the product).

Maybe it's a bad batch from where you got it from 

cheers

James

[6milPhil]

I've had it from three places, one the Hornby shop.

They're tightening up their operation apparently, I went in there in January for some spray primer only to be told they'd just sold the last two cans. I asked when they'd have more and was told "March". 

[OSHIROmodels]

I've had it from three places, one the Hornby shop.

They're tightening up their operation apparently, I went in there in January for some spray primer only to be told they'd just sold the last two cans. I asked when they'd have more and was told "March". 

Well, you're just unlucky then 

cheers

James