Monday 21 June 2021

VMS or Vantage Modelling Solutions

Introduction

I tried to remember where I first heard of this companies products and I think it was from reading an article in one of the model magazines that I subscribe to. Which one or which article I am afraid to say I really can't remember however I do remember which product and model I first used a VMS product on: the Airfix Challenger tank build that I did a while ago (here's the link if you're interested). I remembered that they made a product that could replicate the anti-slip coating that can be found on many modern tanks and AFV's. A short internet search later and I had ordered Hull-tex air from VMS. It was easy to use; relatively inexpensive for what it is and the effect it created was brilliant. Fast forward a few more models and I was faced with another dilemma of surface finish for another model; the Revell space shuttle that I had bought. The main fuel tank is made with a thick foam coating that is best described as "crunchy" and irregular. The hull-tex air that I still had would not really provide a deep finish that I wanted so I bought another variation of the same product that is applied with a brush; hull-tex original. Once again I was extremely impressed with the ease of use and the quality of finish. So impressed with the performance of VMS products; I then bought their decal fix and decal softener solutions to use on the shuttle as well. 


Hull Tex Air

This is a two stage application that requires an airbrush to apply the cement onto the surface that you want and then squeezing the bottle that contains the texture onto the model to create the surface that you want. Once cured you can then carefully scrape away any unwanted texture (carefully) using a small sharp blade. With this completed you can then "seal" the whole finish in by applying the top coat of paint colour of your choice. The effect is subtle but effective and perfect for 1/35 scale vehicles. I have honestly not found a better solution for anti-slip paint effects on a military vehicle. It's also really good value for money and so far has demonstrated an exceptional shelf life. 


Hull Tex Original


This is again a two stage application however the adhesive is applied with a brush and then the texture which is a lot more course than the air finish is then applied directly from the bottle. Again once dry it can be top coated in the colour of your choice to seal the product onto the model. Again I am really impressed with the finish that this product provides and can see a great many applications for 1/35 military vehicles that have a rough paint finish applied to them. I used this product on the main tank for the Revell Space shuttle that I built and as a representation of the rough insulation foam it performed an amazing job. 



Decal fix & Decal Softener


This is I must admit a product that I don't have experience of in another make to discuss in comparative terms. I can however talk about the quality of this product. I used it on the space shuttle that required a few paint adjustments and resulting masking over the already applied decals (my mistake entirely). I was really afraid that the low adhesion masking tape that I use would tear sections of the decals off. With the application of this decal fix; not one decal suffered any losses from the application of tape over them. I have also noticed very little to almost no silvering of the decals post application. Admittedly this is the first use of this product for me and if this changes with different models and colours I will of course update this review, however so far it has proved an excellent product and great value for money when compared with the cost of other well known products that perform the same task.  The decal softener I can provide a direct comparison for having used Micro Sol for a number of years: I cannot see any discernible difference between either product save for the lower cost of the VMS product. It simply does exactly what it says it will. I will probably stick with both the fix and softener based solely on its cost in comparison to other similar products.  

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