I haven’t yet moved to air brushing. Maybe soon. Anybody have an opinion on whether enamels or acrylics are better for brushing? Does thinning help with getting a uniform coverage? Any other hints?
Thinning for both… YES.
I use mostly Acrylics… Testors, Tamiya etc. And I like lacquers too.
Try them all and see what YOU like best!
I´m a enamel lover, i also don´t use airbrush yet for painting (only for coating), i really like the result of enamel paint , i only use acrilic paint for weathering. Anyway it´s a personal choice .
[:)]
acrylics are easier to use, clean and have no harmful fumes.
I find enamels easier to use, they clean up quick with paint thinner, and good ventilation takes care of the smell/fumes.
Anyone know if isopropyl alcohol fumes pose any health hazard? Iso is commonly used as thinner for acrylics.
Don,
Most everything I have read is related to ingesting the isopropyl alcohol that is not good for you. I haven’t seen anything about the fumes. But, I would say in high concentration, they would not be good.
Back to the original topic, I like enamels for the same reason as Tex, however, I am now liking Acrylics more and more. I see the writing on the wall, and want to become good with both. Although, they will have to pry my last bottle of enamel from my dead hand!
My advice: forget about enamels, their days are numbered (unfortunately); learn to embrace the future, which is acrylics!
Plus, they are a LOT easier to clean up. And, as others have already mentioned, thinning them is a lot easier, too, as you can use distilled water, isopropyl alchohol, and name-brand thinners. Yes, enamels are definitely better at some things (brush painting, durability, spreading, etc.) but, as you said, the writing is on the wall; it wouldn’t surprise me if the CARB/EPA/HHS managed to have enamel/laquer/oil-based paints banned by 2020.
Plan for the future, use acrylics (and that’s coming from a die-hard enamel user)!
Don,
Since ISO Alcohol is really designed to be used on the body,I can’t see it being harmful in any way except in the eyes or drinking.
Interesting to see a 12 yr zombie thread resurrected.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! IT LIVES!!!
Seriously dude, look at the dates of the thread before posting.
That was modelmaker 66. He pulled up a bunch of zombie threads the other day.
As for me, I will continue to use both types of paints. Even if the feds are pathetic enough to ban enamel paints, I have enough in my stash to last awhile except for super used colors like black.
Just noticed this zombie thread is 12 years old, and the discussion still goes on 
I think this fact says, “you pays your nickel and makes your choice!”
Yes, I noticed several old threads being resurrected, including this one. Sometimes its not a bad idea to revist some of these old topics.