Hello all, I’m looking for some advice on enamel paints, I’ve never used them before but have been using acrylics for years and am sick of the durability issues. I don’t paint models as such, I paint cranial remodelling helmets - medical helmets for babies with flat head syndrome. A constant problem has been paint lifting off and sustaining damage- I’ve tried all sorts of primers paints and clear coats, I recently bought an airbrush and Vallejo air acrylics as I read they were more durable than others but the problem is still there. acrylic just won’t take the wear and tear the helmets go through over 3 months of treatment and often the paint work gets damaged on the first week or so of use and I end up having to repair.
So my question is, are enamel paints more durable? Will they stand up to knocks and scrapes? I’ve looked at humbrol enamels as the drying time for matts seems ok. I need to get the painting done and back to the owner within 36 hours at most so drying time is a factor.
Yes,enamels are more durable,not sure how much any paint stands up to bumps and scrapes,look at football helmets,they get beat up and need to be repainted.
If you can set up some kind of bake drying system, you might be able to get the turnaround time you need with them. Another thing to think about with young ones is the toxicity issue if they happen to ingest any chips that happen.
Yes that’s what I do too, have been doing it for a few years. I expect she runs into the same problems as I do. I’ll look for the Future acrylic floor finish, is it a non yellowing finish? What’s the drying time?
Thank, I would post some pics if I knew how! I’ve been using minwax poly acrylic clear coat for years which dries hard but still doesn’t give enough protection. I recently tried Vallejo polyurethane clear coat which seems better but still not damage proof. I don’t think I can get the future stuff here in the U.K.
I don,t know if the little uns will be chewing on their hats. I would use low VOCs paint from Rustoleum. They are sprays and you can then clearcoat in Matte or Gloss. I am sure that they would work. The average Hobby paints won’t have the longevity you need. Saliva and Greasy baby hands will remove most of them Including Humbrol!
I’ve just come across something called AK real Color acrylic lacquer, can anyone tell me what acrylic laquer is? How does it differ from acrylics and enamels?
