9 replies to this topic

[Dinoman87]

Been looking at buy Formula P3 paints to replace most of my Citadel paints. Was wondering what some of you guys who have used them thought about them?

[haldir]

They are nice

metallics are bit bleh, but overall they remind me of the really old pot Citadel paints (now the Coat d'arms brand).

While not trying to do a sale here, I have a complete set (well minus a paint or two) that I've been wanting to get rid of. If your interested PM for info.

[Mercius]

Haldir, I am pretty sure that the same company that makes Coat d'arms makes the P3 paints...they are even in the same bottles with a differing paper label. I could be wrong, but they seem very VERY similar.

[Inarah]

I have sampled them from time to time. I'd liken them to the early Reaper ProPaints. Thicker paint, good one coat coverage, but colors that are a bit muddy. Wasn't my thing, but I talked to other painters who really liked those features and were happy with it.

I got to try out their brushes at GenCon last year and really liked those. They hold a lot of paint and have good tips.

[Angorak]

More accurately the P3 are made by the same company that produces the Foundry System. And they are more like the Faoundry than the old Citadel pots.
I use the P3 almost exclusively now the Propaints have been discontinued. And I like the metals unlike Haldir..:P..:)

[Bruunwald]

I use a bit of everything, but if I had to be stuck on an island with one brand only, it would be P3. Bright, great coverage, good flow, even before thinning. Thinned down, they make great washes. Color really stays. Good, broad color selection, considering how few there are compared to a line like Vallejo.

I would never call the paints "muddy," and am not sure how that word applies to the line.

My complaints would be that the metallics really need improving, as they gunk at the drop of a hat. And their brown ink is too red. But then, rust is a big factor in the IK, so I guess that's handy for the application.

[Mercius]

From everyone I talked to I would say 90% hate the P3 metallics and still use GW metals when metallic paint is needed. I personally have never used any metals other than GW.

[scotty kahn]

As far as my experience with the P3's goes. I like the paint. It has good coverage and is very smooth. I needs thinning quite a bit more than other paints but that does not bother me. The pots they come in are by far(imo) the worst in the industry. The tops break off, or they get gummed up to the point of not being able to close all the way.

you do get more paint for your dollar versus GW paints as well.

[Angorak]

As far as my experience with the P3's goes. I like the paint. It has good coverage and is very smooth. I needs thinning quite a bit more than other paints but that does not bother me. The pots they come in are by far(imo) the worst in the industry. The tops break off, or they get gummed up to the point of not being able to close all the way.

you do get more paint for your dollar versus GW paints as well.

The flip lids are easy enough to clean out so that not being able to close them should never be an issue. Since I always use a wet pallette and transfer paint to the said pallette drying is a non-issue...bottle open time is minimal.
Maybe it's just me but I despise dropper bottles...clogging/splitting at the tip/the nozzle popping out with just a little too much squeeze pressure.

[Bruunwald]

The pots they come in are by far(imo) the worst in the industry. The tops break off, or they get gummed up to the point of not being able to close all the way.

Though I love the paint, I'll second this. They do get gummed up sometimes, despite being very on top of cleaning up.

But, more importantly, they break at the drop of a hat. I mean, look nasty at one across a crowded room and it shatters in two kind of drop of a hat. They sometimes snap off their hinges just opening them up for the first time. Then, the tabs break off and you break a nail trying to get it open from now on.

Once, a fellow came onto the Privateer site and asked where he could get those great pots, and I nearly read him the riot act I was so frustrated with them (poor guy - I had just broke another one only moments before).

That's why I buy these cool Artist's Loft paint pots from Michael's. For about $5 you get a whole mess of small, empty pots. I transfer about 2/3 of the paint from the P3 pot to the empty one, and then I can actually fit more paints in my box when I go on trips, as they are slightly smaller.