Using Tamiya masking tape over Tamiya acrylic flat...

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

Hi Guys, I’m about to spray my 72nd scale Revell A-400 Grizzly. In the past I always sprayed an enamel primer then the Tamiya Acrylic flat.

I would like to not use a primer this time and just give it 2 coats of Tamiya flat so as to not obscure details. I have no problem with this on armor models, but there is a LOT of finesse masking to do over the top coat color on this airplane, unlike an armor model.

If I do this without priming with enamel …will subsequent masking pull up the Tamiya Acrylic top coat???

Sprues were well washed , and I always wait several days if not a week to cure.

Thanks for opinions.

2

You should be fine with Tamiya, Flat or otherwise, it sticks well to plastic & several people use Tamiya black exclusively AS the primer.

Your milage may vary, so if you are unsure, test it on a spare part/sprue first

I would go with satin/gloss finish though, as

a: the original isn’t mat

b: it’s a wingy thing

c: it will make putting the decals on a gloss surface much easier.

d: a smooth(er) finish will also make masking easier.

e: you can always satin/mat coat it after the decals are on.

3

I have never had Tamiya acrylics lift even when the plastic was not primed. On the other hand, MM acrylics will lift if a solvent type primer is not used.

I have used Tamiya acrylics for the hairspray method and the more you let it cure, the harder it is to remove. One time I let it sit for a couple of hours and I had a heck of a time trying to remove it for the chipping effect so it is a very good paint with excellent adhesive qualities.

To be safe let it cure for a day or two.

4

I’ll 3rd that - used tamiya masking tape on tamiya acrylics flats that didn’t have a primer & have not had any issue. As long as the plastic was clean before painting, it should be fine.

5

Thanks all.

I always let it (flat) cure for a number of days, mainly because I only get to the bench 2 or maybe 3 times a week. If it was gloss I would give it a full week. I let my Lotus-49 gloss Tamiya green cure for 2 whole weeks after third coat, before I would touch it.

And of course clear gloss before decals is a given. Huge decal sheet for this model A-400.

I’m using Tamiya here because the acrylics are impervious to oil paint/mineral spirit washes and I was able to mix the correct gray.