Enamels or Acrylics?

[Ian M]

I use both but more acrylics than enamels so I voted also for the Acrylics.

Ian M

ps I hate the testors screwtop jars. I have three jars that have been used once each now I can't get the lids off! Tighter than a ducks..... eyelids

[Guest]

Steve why did you switch to enamels Steve for the white line ? What difference does it make to the actual finish.

If you put an enamel model beside an acrylic what would be the difference.

Really I suppose thinking of the models I have latched onto which are WW2. Most finishes are matt or satin.

With cars for instance which are high gloss can you get good representation with acrylics.

Laurie

[BarryW]

I don't want to divert the thread but whilst I'm not surprised by a preference for acrylics I am surprised that people find them easier to use.For spraying in particular surely enamel paints are easier. Acrylics can be tricky,drying at the nozzle etc,and take a bit more effort to master. Also thinning acrylic paint is far more particular.

With enamels you can chuck in turps,white spirit or even cellulose thinners fairly inexactly and still get a good result. You can't do that with most acrylics. For newcomers to spraying them I always advise using the same brand thinners. Later they might try their own thinning,water,ipa etc along with flow aids and retarders. None of this is required with enamel paints!

Just my opinion.

Cheers

Steve

Being still a complete novice when it comes to airbrushing I started practising with both Humbrol enamels and acrylics. I preferred the acrylics, mainly because they are no much easier to clean up and fairly soon made a decision to stick to them only. For me the big revelation a couple of weeks ago was when I used Vallejo Air for the first time.... somehow my airbrushing just came together. I have since done some airbrushing with Vallejo Model Colour too, heavily thinned 50:50 and found that just as good. The point is that I have not had many problems of the Vallejo acrylics drying too quickly and when that did happen it was easy enough to sort out and for me that is a minor inconvenience.

For your information I do thin Vallejo Air with just a couple of drops of their Vallejo thinner in the ab first before adding the paint and mixing in the bowl and perhaps the retarder in that helps. Generally I have found 15psi a good pressure to work with too as well.

Best of all those eyedropper bottles - so fuss free and no mess and I am clumsy!!! Needless to say I voted acrylic.

[Guest]

Used enamels ever since i started painting kits. The few times i did use acrylics, it was either like applying plaster or painting with water. none of the acrylics i used seemed to work but as most of my painting is airbrushing i will stick to enamels. even if it is a pain to clean and stinks awful

[Guest]

Amazing result 95% acrylics 5% enamel. I would have guessed 65 35.

The two shops selling model paints in Jersey both stock enamel. Not an acrylic in sight.

Surprised Airfix have not done their homework. Where they sell with their kits paint it is enamel. As buying a complete kit brush & paint etc is an attraction to parents buying for their young that is also surprising. Enamel on a carpet is a disaster compared to acrylics.

Laurie

[Guest]

I use both too! But I have trouble with certain colours such as white in both enamel and acrylic to stick to the plastic.

I haven't voted as I use both!Steve

[mossiepilot]

Might be a bit off topic but a question -

I've always used enamals - since I was a kid - and still do but with all the votes for acyrlics I'm wondering if I should give them a go.

I make WW2 fighters and fighter/bombers of different nationalities, mostly in 1:72 scale. I'm also a brush painter.

Any advice please.

Tony.

[Guest]

Tony I started producing models about a year ago with enamels. Kept with them as I thought they produced a good finish. for the first model.

Due to smell I reluctantly decided to give acrylics ago really just to satisfy myself they were inferior to enamel. Got onto Vallejo & have not touched enamel since.

I would advise have a go on one model & see how it suits you. Nothing lost but possibly lots to gain at least to satisfy your curiosity.

Laurie

[mossiepilot]

Thanks Laurie.

I have quite a large selection of enamal paints - all humbrol - so replacing them will take a while.

My next project will be an Academy P-40 or Typhoon so I'll get colours for whichever I do and build up from there.

Btw still got yellow paint on my fingers from the band on the fuse of my Stuka so acyrlics would be helpful with that too :lol

Tony

[spanner570]

I can't vote on this thread 'cos I use both types of paint....

Tony, mine is a similar tale to Lauries. I was brought up painting models with enamels, and to be perfectly truthful I didn't know such a thing as acrylics for modelling existed until I resumed my modelling a couple of years ago after a 35+yrs. break!

As I am quite happy to brush paint, I have found Vallejo Model Colour is perfect for brushwork....I always use Humbrol Enamels for the smaller areas( Suitably thinned) So don't replace them, As you state, for now just get the Vallejo you need for the two models you are going to make....

John has a fine range in the Scale Models shop.

Cheers,

Ron

[Guest]

Acrylics all the way John!

Andy