Mr. Hobby Paints (GSI Creos)
In the last issue of Info Eduard, we took a detailed look at a new product on the market - Mr. Color GGX paints from GSI Creos/Mr. Hobby, which offer exceptional coverage with a significantly lower odor than we’re used to with lacquer paints. However, to fully harness the potential of this new generation of lacquers, it’s important to understand where they fit within the Japanese manufacturer’s extensive product lineup. In today’s article, we’ll therefore focus on the key differences between individual Mr. Hobby products and their compatibility.
MR. HOBBY PAINTS (GSI CREOS) - JOSEF BLAŽEK
Mr. Hobby Paints (GSI Creos)
Josef Blažek
In the last issue of Info Eduard,
we took a detailed look at a new
product on the market - Mr. Color
GGX paints from GSI Creos/Mr. Hobby,
which offer exceptional coverage with
a significantly lower odor than we’re
used to with lacquer paints. However,
to fully harness the potential of this
new generation of lacquers, it’s
important to understand where they fit
within the Japanese manufacturer’s
extensive product lineup. In today’s
article, we’ll therefore focus on the
key differences between individual
Mr. Hobby products and their
compatibility. We’ll take a closer
look at the traditional and well-
known Mr. Color lacquers (classic
synthetic lacquer paints) from the
C series and their premium GX variants.
At the same time, we’ll compare them
with the user-friendly Aqueous Hobby
Color acrylics (H series).
The Legendary “C Series”
The basic Mr. Color line (known among
modelers as the C Series) embodies an
absolute classic and has formed the backbone
of many modelers’ kits for decades. The history
of these paints is quite long. The roots of this
series date back to the 1960s, when interest
in plastic model building was growing rapidly
in Japan, but there were no paints designed
specifically for plastic modelers, so they had
to mix everything themselves. The company
Gunze Sangyo released a solvent-based
acrylic resin paint called Level Color, designed
specifically for them. In 1977, these paints were
rebranded under the name Mr. Color, which is
still used today. From a chemical standpoint,
these are so-called lacquers. The pigment is
dissolved in a mixture of organic solvents and
strong synthetic resins. While this results in
a characteristic pungent odor, it also delivers
uncompromising properties, characterized
primarily by high surface durability and fast
drying. A major benefit of the C series is its vast
color palette, comprising hundreds of shades,
which covers the colors needed by modelers
specializing in aircraft and military vehicles.
These are primarily shades based on the RLM,
Federal Standard, RAF, and IJN standards.
Drying, Durability, and Layering
As already mentioned, a major advantage
is the speed of drying. When applying with
an airbrush, we can literally say that the
paints dry before your eyes. The liquid layer
evaporates from the surface within a few
seconds after spraying and is touch-dry. Once
fully cured, the paint forms an extremely
hard surface that is exceptionally resistant to
mechanical abrasion. This is a major benefit
when handling the model and when using
a wide variety of chemical weathering agents.
It also handles rough handling with masking
tape, the application of decal setting solutions
(e.g., Mr. Mark Setter and Mr. Mark Softer),
and subsequent weathering using synthetic
(enamel) or oil-based washes exceptionally
well. Furthermore, the layer is so thin that it
does not flood even the finest details, rivets,
and engravings on the model. Another point
worth mentioning is the ability to sand the
Mr. Color paints (C series)
INFO Eduard8
September 2026