AMMO has an extensive line of paints and a selection of “How To” publications that are familiar to modelers. IPMS/USA recently received for review three of AMMO’s “DIO Drybrush Paint” products. The review samples include A.MIG-0608 Light Olive Green, A. MIG-0626 Light Brick, and A.MIG-0620 Dark Sand. These three items are a part of AMMO’s line of Dio Drybrush Paints. There are 27 paints in this series. Each sell for about $3.50.

There does not seem to be a single “set” that includes all 27 colors, but it is not difficult to submit a purchase order on the AMMO website to purchase each of the 27 colors as a “group” purchase. Note that the “Direct Link to Product” associated with this review opens a page which shows all 27 of the colors grouped together. Hopefully, that will make your “search” for these products less time consuming.

Painting

I asked for the opportunity to try this new product from the imaginative modeling studios of Mig Jimenez. As many modelers realize, Mr. Jimenez has a vast collection of modeling paints and primers. However, with these new Dio Drybrush paints, he has unleashed a great new line of special effects into the world of dry brushing. This new line comes in a variety of 27 paint products which will allow most modelers the opportunity to further our dry brushing skills.

Two colors were initially sent to me to preview: Light Grey, A.MIG-0601 and Panzer Grey, A.MIG-0604.

I quickly set up a model with three different base colors to see my initial impressions and what results I could get using DIO DRYBRUSH paints. I should also admit being reasonably new to the world of dry brushing and recognize I have much yet to learn about this art form.

This review covers the following standing sticks from the AMMO line

• Standard sanding stick with grits 180/320/600/2000; MSRP: $1.50
• Large Surfaces sanding stick with grits: 320/600/4000; MSRP: $2.10
• Multipurpose sanding stick with grits 150/240/320/600/1200/2000; MSRP: $2.30

All these sticks have the different grits identified by color coding each surface of half-surface. Their size is large enough to fit well and comfortable in your hand.

They are flexible, so you can use them in any task that requires following curved surfaces. They are padded (in particular the Large Surfaces one), which means your hand does not need to follow a curved path, the padding of the sanding stick will do that for you.

The Multipurpose stick is a workbench workhouse that could be used from shaping parts with its 150/240 grit, all the way to polishing parts with its 2000 grit.

As I sit writing this review, I cannot help but think that I should just be returning from seeing some of you at the IPMS Nationals in San Marcos. Well, hopefully there are better days ahead, and I do already have my hotel reservation set for Las Vegas next year. Like many of you, I have met some great folks over the years and look forward to seeing at least some of those folks again in the future, and meeting even more fellow modelers.

So how much can you really say about masking sheets? Well, this new set from Mig contains five sheets measuring 280 by 195mm or roughly 7-11/16 by 11-1/16 inches, which seems to be a pretty good value for the price. The sheets are yellow in color for the masking material with a slightly rough texture. I measure the masking material as 0.0035 inch or 0.08 mm in thickness with an adhesive similar to that used by Tamiya on their masking tapes as far as “stickiness” is concerned.

Anyone who has used AMMO products knows that the company is prolific in the endless useful and specific sets of paints, washes, and pigments they release. Their range of acrylics for figures are designed to make painting a breeze thanks to the ease of application, with the 17mL dropper bottles. All colors in the range can be mixed with each other and with the full range of AMMO by Mig Jimenez acrylic colors. Each adapts perfectly to the traditional techniques of painting in layers or wet pallet blending as well as new mixed techniques. Each color is suitable for both brush and airbrush application. These acrylics are water-soluble and formulated to be safe and non-toxic. If airbrushing, I would suggest thinning first as the paints are thick out of the bottle which make them great for brush painting.