MTN makes three distinct spray paints — Hardcore, 94, and Mega — and they're not interchangeable. Each is built for a different kind of work. Here's how they compare so you can buy the right one for what you're doing.
MTN Hardcore 400ml
Hardcore is MTN's flagship. It runs at high pressure, sprays fast, and dries to a high-gloss finish. It's designed for outdoor, large-scale work where you need coverage speed and a durable, weather-resistant result.
- Pressure: High
- Finish: Gloss
- Volume: 400ml
- Colour range: 200+ colours
- Best for: Fills, full pieces, outdoor walls, fast coverage
The high pressure makes it fast but also means it's less forgiving for detail work — keep your skinny caps for outlines and use fat caps for fills. Hardcore is what most New Zealand writers use as their main paint. It's the standard.
MTN 94 400ml
MTN 94 is the low-pressure alternative. The "94" refers to the spray pressure in millibars — significantly lower than Hardcore's output. That lower pressure means more control, finer detail, and the ability to use very thin lines without the can getting away from you.
- Pressure: Low
- Finish: Semi-matte / satin
- Volume: 400ml
- Colour range: 200+ colours
- Best for: Detail work, stencils, character painting, fine outlines, indoor pieces
The lower pressure also means MTN 94 is quieter and has less overspray — important in tighter spaces or when working near other colours. The semi-matte finish gives it a different look to Hardcore; some writers prefer it for characters and portrait work because of the flatter, more painterly quality.
MTN 94 is the choice for more technical, controlled work. If you're doing stencil art, complex characters, or anything requiring a fine level of detail, this is where to start.
MTN Mega 600ml
Mega is exactly what it sounds like — a larger can with more paint. It runs at a similar high pressure to Hardcore but with 50% more volume, making it suited for large backgrounds, big fills, and anywhere you need maximum coverage without constantly swapping cans.
- Pressure: High
- Finish: Gloss
- Volume: 600ml
- Colour range: Narrower (around 60 core colours)
- Best for: Large background fills, whole-car work, outdoor murals, heavy coverage applications
The wider cap and larger can size means you move faster on big surfaces. The trade-off is less colour variety and less precision — Mega isn't the tool for detail work. It's a background and fill can.
Which Should You Buy?
The honest answer: most writers end up using all three for different purposes. But if you're choosing one to start with:
- Starting out / general use: MTN Hardcore. The widest colour range, the most consistent results, and what the majority of local writers use.
- Detail-focused work / stencils / characters: MTN 94. The control you get from low pressure is a genuine advantage.
- Large murals, backgrounds, or heavy coverage: MTN Mega. More paint per can, less time swapping.
If you're unsure, grab a few cans of each in a neutral colour (white or grey) and compare how they feel and cover on cardboard. Pressure preference is personal — you'll know quickly which suits your style.
All three are stocked at Cartel Paint Supplies, shipped nationwide from Tauranga.