I have started using more of the acrylic paints lately. I havae used Testors acrlyic in the paste. Now when I apply a layer of paint and mask over it, the paint comes off with the paint in small spots. I clean the planes with alcohol before I paint them. Also, I put the tape on my arm and pull it off 2 or 3 times to reduce the stickiness. What is going on?
I feel your pain as I also have this problem. I do the same prep as you do. I about pitched the F-104 in the trash but I think I will strip it or touch up the area and try again with a different paint.
I was/am looking through the forums to see if this was already addressed…
Kevin
MM acrylic paint sucks. It will lift every time regardless of your meticulous prep work. Use a better brand.
I used to have same issue. From now on, I always use prime.Also, use frog tape to mask. no issue so far.
I’d guess almost everyone has had this happen with some acrylic paint or another. Yes, Testors might be worse than some. I’ve had my trouble with it, but I also have a Model Master acryl color I like to use, and I’ve masked it and it hasn’t pulled up since I started…
…priming.
If you are painting with acrylics and plan to mask, you need to lay down a coat of primer. I prime everything of late. Never know when an errant piece of masking tape might touch some innocent little piece.
The most-recommnended masking tape is Tamiya. I’m not sure about the recommendation to use Frog brand tape above. (but it’s an effective advertisement for the benefits of priming. [;)])
Hi Greg,
I did prime using MM acrylic primer with the tamiya tape. I let the model set for 3 days before I attempted to mask off. Maybe a better primer?
Kevin
Kevin,
I’d really suggest trying a primer such as Tamiya surface primer, Mr Surfacer, or my new personal favorite, Stynylrez.
If you’re using Acryls to cut back on fumes and toxic stuff as I am, I vote for Stynylrez (a relatively new primer from Badger). An FSM friend sent me a bottle of it, I’m never turning back. Over the past couple years, I’ve only hear postive comments about it here. I had been using the Tamiya and Mr Surfacer prior, both great primers.
I’ve never heard any feedback for any acrylic primer product by Testor, so can’t say. I don’t mean to be negative Nellie, but with their reputation of acryls adhering (or not), I’d personally be weary of same.
Hope this helps a little.
Fairly recently I ran into this problem for the first time despite having used MM Acryl paints for years. In the past I had rarely used any primer but it was determined that this was the source of my problem on a couple of builds earlier this year. I have since taken to using Stynylrez - referenced above, a new primer from Badger that I now will not be without - and have yet to have any paint, MM or not, pull up when masked over that primer surface.
Greg is right about priming, stynlrez and Tamiya tape. Model master is a testors brand. Testors was sold to Rust Oleum last year and that may account for any changes and subsequent issues. I always prime using Vallejo primer. Same stuff basically as stynlrez and no problems. I also use a hair dryer on low to help aid the drying time of primers and paint. Maybe that helps some too.
Thank you sir! It helps!
Kevin
Hmmm… I use MM acrylics, Rustoleum brand primer, Tamiya AND yellow Frog tape for masking. Never once I had issues with paint peeling off. I must be doing something right.
I’d say that speaks well for your choice of primer, Sheep. [:)]
Every pull up problem I’ve had with MM acryls involved not priming at all. Would you believe I managed to do it again a couple weeks back? It was a surface I hadn’t planned on masking. Another lesson learned, prime everything. [bnghead]