Mission Model Paints Iridescent Colors

Mission Model Paints has added some beautiful iridescent colors to their excellent line of acrylic paints. These luminous paints seem to change color when seen from different angles. The iridescent paints have a silver base and produce a display of lustrous, prismatic, rainbow-like colors. MMP has also issued Pearl paint colors. The Pearl colors have a translucent pearl-like depth, either in color or luster.

These iridescent paints are like Mission Models other water-based acrylics that are odorless, fast drying, don’t clog airbrush tips, and produce a smooth, durable finish. Information on Mission Model Paints is available on their website. Click here for a full IPMS review of Mission Model Paints.

Colors included with this review sample:

• MMP-156 Iridescent Blue
• MMP-157 Iridescent Plum Purple
• MMP-158 Iridescent Candy Red
• MMP-160 Iridescent Duck Teal
• MMP-161 Iridescent Turquoise

Paint Application

The iridescent colors mix just like MMP’s other colors. I used a mix of one part MMP thinner to 5 parts paint for the review samples, and no poly used. I applied the paints in four thin, wet coats. All of the paints were applied over Mission Model’s Gloss White Base MMGWB-002. The paint was also applied to the black caps of the MMP bottles which obviously made the color appear much darker. MMP also suggests applying the iridescent paints over a silver or chrome base.

I let the paint dry for a few minutes between coats until the wet sheen disappeared. All of these paint samples are metallic and have a sheen which is more apparent in the lighter colors. The pigment grain on all of the colors is very fine and will look nice on scale automotive finishes. The paint dries to a satin sheen when used without the poly additive. Using MMP’s Polyurethane Mix Additive will produce an eggshell finish.

I applied Mission Model’s Gloss Clear Coat MMA-006 on some of the paint samples. The Clear Coat further emphasized the shifting iridescent colors.

Paint Colors

Iridescent Candy Red

This color definitely has both red and blue pigments which revealed themselves when the paint sample is viewed at different angles. Straight on the color appears more reddish and has a blue tinge when viewed at an angle. The color changes beautifully from red to red/blue as the sample is rotated.

Iridescent blue

This color also has some red pigment so the paint has a slight reddish or purple cast when viewed at an angle.

Iridescent Plum Purple

This is a beautiful deep color has a reddish tint when viewed at an angle.

Iridescent Duck Teal and Turquoise

These are lighter colors that change to a silver tint when viewed at an angle.

Summary

These are some excellent new paints that produce beautiful iridescent finishes that change colors when viewed at different angles. The paints are easy to use and produce a very fine grain to the metallic finishes. Model car builders can use these paints to produce bright iridescent colors with very fine grain. Gloss finishes are easier to produce as the paints are quick drying to reduce exposure to surface contaminates.

Thanks to Mission Models for making these paints and supplying review samples to IPMS.