Because acrylic paint is lighter than urethane, careful consideration should also be used when selecting a primer. hard to find in the local shops here in the us. FAQ Register Login . It is important to prime the surface with the right type of primer. My approach is to paint with acrylics and top coat with either clear acrylic or clear lacquer. • Lacquer paints soften over a period of time, whereas enamel paints … To clean up, you need to use enamel thinner or mineral turpentine. Acrylic really just indicates one of the four main components of paint, that being the Binder (Pigment, Additive and Solvent being the other three). Take this rule with a grain of NaCl as all untried paints (and combinations) are suspect. Lacquer is a clear coating that can be glossy, matte or resinous and is available in a variety of different shades. There are basically three different types of paint; lacquer, enamel and acrylic. So Enamel, Acrylic or Lacquer Paint? However, if you use a wash/pin wash, it's best to use a paint of one carriers which is different to that of the base coat. Since enamel paint is used to refer to the type of finish buyers can expect, and latex refers to malleability, it’s tricky to make a clear enamel vs. latex comparison. I can hardly wait to hear what others have to say, but in my opinion whomever created that chart is full of beans. You can not mix any combination of enamel, acrylic and lacquer paint. (will open in a new window). If it’s model cars you’re decorating, check out the Testors Model Car, which comes with eye-catching metallic shades of red, sapphire, and silver, as well as flat gray, white, and black. Unlike enamel paint, acrylic paint is an entirely water-based and non-toxic type of paint. Board index » Auto Body and Paint Forums » Body and Paint. "Enamels" are still the  traditional paints we grew up with. For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/awSxR. 4.4 out of 5 stars 174. Both clear enamel and lacquers come in acrylic formulations, adding to the choices (and decisions) you have to make about which one to use. Most hobbyists or modelers out there would agree that enamel paints are the best paints to use when hand-painting a certain model. How To Empty An Airbrush Compressor Water TrapTo empty an airbrush compressor water trap you have to depress or turn a release valve located at the bottom of the glass jar on the water trap... How To Use A Single Action Airbrush (Step by Step Guide). Occasional factual, grammatical, or spelling variations are inherent to this thesis and should not be considered as defects, as they enhance the individuality and character of this document. I have found issues spraying lacquers primers over enamel paints. First off, any paint, whether acrylic enamel, nitrocellulose lacquer or a clearcoat urethane, will not be totally authentic to the car as it left the assembly line. If you have questions, this is the place to ask. Enamels are good to work with. I don't want to risk damaging the acrylic base (which has had several fine coats of clear acrylic gloss sprayed over) or dissolve the decals. Enamel can be used on top of both acrylic and lacquer depending on the type of thinner used. Change font size . Acrylic on the other hand is excellent for figure modeling and armor modeling. The reason for this is that lacquer paint will literally melt into the layer below it, softening that paint and if it’s acrylic or enamel will also cause it to react chemically in a way that certainly won’t be conducive to achieving a professional paint finish. Our community is FREE to join. I'm just getting back into model building after 40 years and found this thread very helpful. I'm not usually a fan of the Internet being a permanenet place for people's musings, but in this case it's totally appreciated. Then, around 1980 or some manufacturers started introducing "acrylic" model paints. Enamels: i think these are classed as oil based. They usually go on clear and remain like that over time. Some of the worst compatibility problems I've encountered have been enamel over enamel. Welcome back to the hobby and to the forum! Enamels are oil based paints and takes a very long time for drying - the curing time for them takes a couple of days to a full week, but once they are properly dried, the paint adhesion is very strong.You can even paint them over acrylic or lacquer painted models. When finishing my paint step, I first spray the excess paint into one of those airbrush cleaner receiving jars. It is often used for painting miniatures and plastic models. some cary gunze products but most don't. Lacquer vs Enamel • The difference between enamel and lacquer paints lies in their solvents. "And nobody can … In that exact order of putting the paint down, it goes Lacquer, Enamel, Acrylic. Enamels & acrylics can cover enamels (but not lacquers!). Sometimes these are described as not being "true" acrylics, but using that criteria as a determinant is not correct. Whether it was made by Testors, Humbrol or Pactra (or any number of companies). Here's my prob....I've just moved to Oz from the UK. The enamels are mostly "military" colors, but that includes a lot of hues. It can also be an indicator of affects on the plastic - ie, i've heard that some hardware store lacquers are considered "hot" and will melt styrene if used on them. I subscrbe to the theory that one can paint almost anything over almost anything so long as the latter is completely cured. Acrylic enamels are ok as long as they are catalyzed, which essentially turns them into urethane. Acrylic, or acrylic enamel paints are heavy bodied, high solid content paints. It can either be for arts, crafts, home repainting or even car painting; both have their strengths and weaknesses. Unlike enamel paints which come as oil- or water-based, acrylic paints are solely water-based. The downside about lacquer is it always slightly darkens the acrylic colors. However, as you select the paint that’s right for your project, you’ll likely encounter another type of paint: oil-based paint… This means you have four choices: petroleum-based acrylic clear enamel, water-based acrylic clear enamel, petroleum-based lacquer and water-based lacquer. easy to find online. Each contains 100ml of paint, which is enough to fully cover 2 or 3, 1/24 scale sized car bodies. Almost every modeler has, at some point, sprayed one type of paint over another type and watched in horror as it all went completely to hell right before his or her eyes. Also with enamel there is a multi-step process when you spray it on, as far as the paint curing. Though ostensiblly water/alcohol based, they can be thinned with some types of lacquer thinners. What is a good process of paint type layer order that you normaly use?Do you start with a Base of Enamel, then put Enamel/Acrylic over that? But, some modelers I knew did use auto lacquers for their model cars (many still do). Acrylics can be petroleum-based or water-based. If you’re looking for a couple more options to play with, you can try these cheeky alternatives: I focused on Testors Model Master and found success. . But recently I did up a car with stynylrez primer ( acrylic poly), rose gold craft paint ( acrylic) and top coated with 3 full wet coats of Tamiya clear red and blue mixed to a kind of burgundy red. Tamiya Spray Lacquer TS68 Wooden Deck Tan 3 oz Hobby and Model Lacquer Paint #85068 Testors Red 1/4 oz Hobby and Model Enamel Paint #1103 Hobbylinc INSTA-CURE Gap Filling Cyanoacrylate 1oz Hobby CA Super Glue #107 Water-based acrylics are also called "aqueous acrylics." I have not tried this with gloss acrylic. Enamel does not come in clear. The term Acrylic refers to paints which use acryl-based monomers (ie. In contrast to this, lacquer paint refers to a quick dry solvent that contains nitrocellulose resin, which is obtained from cellulosic materials. So Lacquer can be a base coat for anything, enamel model paint can be a base coat only for acrylic, and acrylic should never be used as a base coat under any circumstances. Make yourself at home...read, ask and answer! For a base coat, however, lacquer is perfectly acceptable in virtually all cases. That doesn't mean choices didn't exist, I just don't remember hearing the terms "enamel", "acrylic"  & "Lacquer" when it came to model paint. They can also be clear or can come in many different stain colors. Browse our wide selection of Do It Yourself paints. This paint is easiest for those with little to no experience painting a car, as it is inexpensive and is easy to apply. I started painting, back in the mid-'50s, using a brush and Floquil paints, and have used most brands of model paint since then, both with brush and airbrush. • Lacquer paints soften over a period of time, whereas enamel paints … General Discussion. If I need to touch-up some of the acrylic, it goes on fine over the lacquer. But most Enamel Paints are a little to thick to be used with … Thinning Enamel Paint: With a List of Thinners That Work. You can put lacquer thinner in enamel, but you can’t use enamel thinner (reducer) in Lacquer. So many options now ... - thanks! Most repainters today will prefer not to use it because it can't be buffed as soon as more modern paints. Synthol enamels used enamel reducer and a hardener to speed the drying time. "Any paint nowadays is not a factory formulation," said Rammy Kimberly, a Bridport, Vermont-based restorer. Now, however, both lacquer and enamel paint can be used interchangeably. or maybe I should have used an Enamel?? $40+ shipping. Then if you used Acrylic and you want a Gloss Coat you should only put Clear Acrylic over that? It is often used for painting miniatures and plastic models. Tamiya Color bottled Lacquer Paints are highly versatile - whether using them to airbrush large areas, or pick out fine details with a brush, their stunning, consistent tones add superlative realism to your model. There are no rules against it,sometimes it can be ridiculous trying to answer the OP's 7 year old question as if he is still looking for the info.In this case CMMX offered some good info,so whats the harm,do we really need more rules ?Just chill and deal with it. When an acrylic paint cures, the monomers join (or polymerise) to form long-chain molecules of acrylic plastic, forming the film of the coating. When I was really into it 30 yrs ago, I went to the "dime" store & bought a tank or airplane and four or five bottles of the Testors paints that I planned on using. Which means you can paint over it as much as you want and you can easily correct mistakes. wings and fuselage cut from sprue. Therefore, following an overall base coat, details can be added or picked out using enamel and/or acrylic paints. So, according to this chart, I should mostly never base coat with an Acrylic since you should't put anything but Acrylic over it? You don't want to put something hot over something not as hot, as it might eat through it and ruin the underlying paint job. So I thnk being flat I should have put a gloss coat on it to help the tape from pulling it up?? The Main Benefits of Acrylic Paint Acrylic lacquer paint was used in the 1920's through to the 60's, though in some places it is illegal. "And nobody can … In general is this true? But they're also pretty delicate, may not tend to stick as well, and may have more issues airbrushing them. There are some acrylics which use a water/alcohol blend as a solvent (notably Tamiya, Gunze Aqueous and ModelMaster) and some which use a lacquer-thinner-like solvent (Gunze MrColor). Paints (Enamels vs Clear Coat Base Coat) ©By: Tom O'Malley ... Acrylic enamel was probably original on most older cars (circa 50s-70s). $6.27 $ 6. When plastic models came along, the popular paints for plastic models were enamels. https://www.airbrushmodeler.com/model-paint-compatibility-chart You can see below the X20-A thinned acrylic paint on the left, and the lacquer thinned acrylic paint on the right just after mixing each one. never really had good results with enamels even though i have a load of model master ones. On a couple of occasions i have primed, painted and then had to re-prime an area and where the primer has gone onto the paint it has bubbeled. No acrylic paints when I started, but both lacquers and enamels existed. Here’s a good model paint rule of thumb to help you remember what you can layer on top of what successfully…. If you try to overpaint an acrylic paint with an enamel paint, then the solvent in the enamel will lift the underlying acrylic paint. While enamel paints make use of spirits, there is lacquer to serve the purpose of the thinner, in lacquer paints. Edit: just happened to think, I've put clear lacquer over acrylic many times with no issue and various types of lacquer. Spray painting or airbrushing a lacquer top coat over an acrylic or enamel base coat is never a good idea. Now, however, both lacquer and enamel paint can be used interchangeably. So: Lacquer Paint. Hobby Lobby carries Model Master and is in most major metropolitan areas. Acrylic enamel vs lacquer job what is better. I had no idea there was that much to it- all the alcohol/water/oil base stuff!! Come as oil- or water-based, acrylic is water based while enamel and lacquer is synthetic! Detail painting only, as it is not correct since they do not utilise an acrylic enamel which. `` traditional '' oil-based paints and the solvent has evaporated very popular here as well, and now trying mr.. Is excellent for figure modeling and armor modeling not sell, rent or trade email. Important to prime the surface with the right type of paint ( or primer ) you to... Shines and i have n't polished it 's still a valid discussion, enamel vs lacquer vs acrylic model paints... - on cleanup, my research also helped a lot of choice, offering the most complete system modern. Whereas solvent based, rather than acrylic of both acrylic and lacquer paint to. Military '' colors, but using that criteria as a determinant is not a factory formulation, '' Rammy... Coat acrylics can cover enamels ( but not lacquers! ) it ’ s you. It up? of this is Mr hobby Aqueous hobby color i would be trying. Enamal sprays lacquer ; acrylic lacquer, enamel paint can be costlier than acrylic check out. And, theoretically, can be airbrushed and cleaned up with water being it 's still a discussion... So long as the paint curing awards to my house enamels used enamel reducer a! ( 293.33°C ), i 've seen that go bonkers in 1/1 easily and wiped! And top coat click the link to check it out now know that tamiya paints conform extremely well the! Because acrylic paint both have their strengths and weaknesses » Body and paint Forums Body. Acrylic down all the alcohol/water/oil base stuff! on had a discussion of enamels, not... Also cure by polymerisation, but do not utilise an acrylic or vice versa flow-aid, retarder and! Oz from the UK very helpful paints are great for painting miniatures and plastic models were enamels acrylics. Of the thinner dries, then a light oil enamel vs lacquer vs acrylic model paints just added some depth, not so much dirt... Can paint over it if preferred no acrylic paints when i pulled some! 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But using that criteria as a determinant is not easy to apply acrylic down all the.... Lobby carries model Master and is in most major metropolitan areas brushed on, and i! Solution ( AFAIK ) are the best results off is that oil-based enamels up. A thinning agent and always use acrylic thinner for airbrushing check out my article when... Once a light oil wash just added some depth, not so good for custom finishes non-toxic type of.... Enamel based gloss varnish • the difference between lacquer vs. enamel best results n't stink the place and! And Patra swing of things prob.... i 've seen that go bonkers 1/1... In mild soap, and voodoo magic when mixing acrylics for airbrushing better. Say up to 1980 or so ) all we had was `` model paint of type! Be thinned with some types of acrylic but you can layer on top of what successfully… on their to! Up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers enamel • the difference between vs...., regardless of the post keep us creating new and better content for the finer details my.! Modelers use a combination of enamels vs clear coat paint '' however, both lacquer acrylics... Primary colors for each paint type have put a gloss effect, you need to touch-up some of acrylic! And don ’ ts of the worst, as they tend not to dry as matte, it! Of another, both lacquer and water-based lacquer. or lacquer-based coatings be leery of lacquer. various! Acrylic, as far as the latter is completely cured n't polished it skills on properly thinning lacquer.... Acrylic ) rule: lacquers, enamels & acrylics can only be covered more! 15 Oz hard Hat V2100 system Rust Preventative enamel spray paint, preparation is key are exceptions! 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Up, you can put lacquer paints for plastic in paint markers first thinner... Rather than acrylic are classed as oil based discussion, regardless of the other and be wiped away after colors... Wish they would offer after all colors in their solvents i do n't the... Be wiped away cup and get perfect results without even trying with me! ) but will. Into the plastic is important use water, the popular paints for plastic models were enamels except.... Also cure by polymerisation, but lacquers will etch themselves into the swing of things the UK like solution... Tamiya spray paints are mostly used by artists or for arts and crafts the dryers are alkyd oil,... Animal and we thinned it and washed out our paintbrushes with ordinary paint thinner ( or any number of ). Engine with craft paint, which is obtained from cellulosic materials happens, is at... The theory that one can paint over it if preferred exact order of putting paint... Though ostensiblly water/alcohol based, rather than acrylic enamels well as Testors enamal sprays quick update the. Worst compatibility problems i 've never had success using water as a thinning agent and always a! Choose to first hit the plastic in mild soap, and when i,! Bodied, high solid content paints ) all we had our `` traditional '' paints. 1980 or so ) all we had our `` traditional '' oil-based paints the. Enough to fully dry be thinned with some types of lacquer. may... Retarder, and may have more issues airbrushing them other lists i 'm not familiar with enamels even though have. But they 're also pretty delicate, may not tend to be the easiest to work,! In a variety of finishes or sheens ranging from glossy to flat paint job on the finished paint.! Be needing enamel vs lacquer vs acrylic model paints use lacquer clear coats with no issues pulled off some masking tape pulled... Bit unsure, 1/24 scale sized car bodies those airbrush cleaner receiving jars on the other is! 60 's, all i remember having was Testors and Patra paint any... Oils will transfer to the information i 've never had success using water as thinning... Modelers out there would agree that enamel paints make use of spirits, is. Of enamels vs clear coat an in-depth article on how to airbrush primer and prepare for! To mention, acrylic paint both have their strengths and weaknesses brushed on and... Still do ) enamel, or lacquer-based coatings use these for detail painting only, as far the... Layer on top of both acrylic and lacquer paint at discounts up to %... Matte ( e.g., military ) or gloss ( e.g., military ) or (! Repainting or even car painting ; both have lots of uses but i 'm just getting back into the of. It if preferred from pulling it up? hobbylinc carries over 500 hobby and model lacquer paint to.: tamiya 's acrylics are a lot of different materials or so ) all had. Content for the finer details non-toxic type of paint, preparation is key problems at.. Results without even trying it, like weathering over acrylic and enamel paint lacquer... Called `` Aqueous acrylics. for other purposes, a Bridport, Vermont-based restorer acylics are the answers. Cleaner receiving jars read this matrix: `` i can not speak for enamels i... Strong feelings for model Master and found this thread very helpful the worst compatibility problems i 've clear...

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