acrylics

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

well i was just thinking i have been using enamels for every model that i have done and i am about to start a new one are acrylics better or easier to use i would just like the clean up probably and if i do switch how do i clean and thin for airbrushing water

thanks

2

Check out this article:
http://www.craigcentral.com/models/paint.asp

I use acrlyics…but it all depends on what your needs are. Each has advantages & disadvantages.

3

I’m on the acrylic bandwagon, too. Easy to clean, less smell, tad tempermental at times, but in all good results and you clean up with water and windex!

4

same here… I use about 90% acrylics when painting. When handbrushing sometimes I use enamels, but the acrylics I use (MM, Vallejo made “Color of Eagles” and Boyds) all handbrush just as well as enamel. and ditto on Bills comment on being easier to clean and no smell… It was a bit of a learning curve learning to spray the correctly (nothing horrible, just readjusting pressures and thinning and the sort) but all in all I find it easier now with acrylics…

5

well thanks for the help but could i ask one more question. can u mix the two paints? like could u use acrylics and enamels on the same model or do they affect eachother cause i know alot of the clears i use can be used over both

thanks again

6

Yes, you can use both, but be careful. Enamels are “hotter” (read: stronger solvent) than acrylics. If you spray enamel over uncured acrylics, or spray a heavy coat of enamel over acrylic, the enamel might eat away the acrylic base coat.

7

I love acrylics. The most important rule to follow with them is use a primer. It gives the acrylic a good surface to stick to.

8

I made the switch to acrylics about a year ago in my AB anyway and I havent regretted it. I use Tamiya exclusively and I am getting better at mixing paint if they dont have it available. I still brush with enamel though.

9

Acrylics for me as well. About the only time I use enamel or laquer these days is for a primer or for metallizers.

10

Another vote for Acrylic, I’m sure its better for my health long term (but I still wear a mask).

I mix acrylic & Enamel all the time as I use a enmal primer, or sometimes I use enamel spray can to cover large monochrome areas.

11

I got a couple questions, Is it true you can just use acrylics straight out of the bottle when useing an airbrush? And can you thin ALL acrylics with water or just some?

12

Rob - a some of them can be shot straight out of the bottle, Vallejo Model Air, Color of Eagles and some MM Acryl paints to name a few. Others like Tamiya need thinning.

As far as thinning with water, I know Vallejo, Color of Eagles and I believe Gunze can be thinned with water, while MM, Boyds and Tamiya have an alcohol based thinner (you can even use 91% isopropyl from the drug store to thin them. Can’t comment on the others though…

13

Some…but it really depends a bunch of other factors when you are airbrushing. The viscosity of the paint, is just one factor. You also need to be aware of pressure, distance from the model, needle size (if applicable)…among other things.

No. Just some. But, acrylics tend to dry fast, so I would use an acrylic thinner made specifically for your paint. They are made for the job and usually have a “retarder” mixed in. I spend too many hours on my models to skimp on thinner.