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I’m officially done with Citadel paints

Citadel paint pots are bad

After sitting on the fence for about a year, I finally bit the bullet and decided that I will replace all my Citadel paints with Vallejo ones. The reason? The ‘new’ Citadel paint pots are defective. Don’t get me wrong, Citadel paint itself is great to work with, but what good is that when you have to throw half of it away because it has dried out again? 

The old hard plastic Citadel pots with their black lids kept the paint nice and fresh for years and years. The new rubbery monstrosities, however, only close properly the first couple of times that you use them. After about a dozen times opening and closing them, the hinges no longer work properly and your precious paints will start drying out. Honestly, I can’t even remember the last time that I’ve been able to use all the paint in a Citadel pot. I usually get about halfway before the paint becomes utterly unusable. 

Vallejo paints, on the other hand, are just as pleasant to work with and cover just as well, but come in properly sealable dropper bottles. Vallejo paints are also much cheaper. Citadel paints sell for about €3,- to €3,50 for a 12 ml pot, while Vallejo paints sell for €2,50 or €2,60 for a 17 ml pot. So per pot Citadel costs €1,- more for 5 ml less paint. And you don’t even get to use all of it! Vallejo paints also smell nicer ;-) 

So, after getting this off my chest I’m heading to my favourite online hobby supply store Scenery Workshop and ordering about 30 fresh new Vallejo pots. It’s a bit of an investment now, but worth every penny (or Eurocent) in the end.

Citadel paint pots are bad
An example of a defective Citadel lid. The lid is supposed to sit flush with the pot, but without the use of a vice grip or hammer that isn’t going to happen.

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  1. Woop woop! Louder for the people in the back! :-)

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