Enamels and Acrylics (ah that old chestnut again!)

[Guest]

I have scoured the web in search of a definitive and intelligeable answer to this question. I hope you guys can help.

My paint collection is made up exclusively of Humbrol and Revell enamels. However, if I wanted to use acrylics on the same model, either as a primer, or as part of a camoflage pattern, is there a problem using them together (over or under enamels), providing the paint is fully cured first?

[Guest]

There are all sorts of rules and opinions out these regarding this one but, at the end of the day, my advice to anyone would always be the same, do a test peice first.

[wonwinglo]

As a general rule oil and enamels can only be painted 'over' acrylic finishes,this is the train of thought used by artists when painting pictures and applies to models as well.

The main reason is that oil paints will adhere to water based paints but not the other way round,eventually they would rub off.

Under no circumstances should the two types of finish be physically mixed together,they are totally incompatible.

A lot has been said about how well acrylics adhere to plastic,my advice is to always use them onto a properly primed surface,one of the best finishes of which is Halfords matt white primer.

[Guest]

Thanks Barry.

I bought two IL-2s in 1/72 scale whilst I was in eastern Europe last year; one a nice Eduard kit, the other an ancient ZTS kit (Polish), the latter for about 75p. Well you pay for what you get! The fit is awful and detail poor, but it was bought as a "hack" and has been very useful in honing my scribing skills, as I've taken back most of the raised panel lines and re-scribed. It needed lots of Squadron putty. Nevertheless, I have sprayed it with Halfords Grey Primer, and to my amazemment it looks great (considering what I paid for it). So now I have acyrilic primed model and only enamels to do the surface painting.

[Guest]

I have just read this thread and i have used both paints several times on various models. The last one was my C97 model and i used Humbrol Metalcote , polished Aluminium and the orange arctic bands were acrylic. It does work quite well but you must make sure the base colour is dry first. Check out the model in the plane gallery.

Pogo

[Guest]

I checked out the C-97. Looks like you had no trouble with the paint - it's as smooth as anything. By the way, some fabulous pictures in your gallery. I particularly liked the paint job on the 109, considering it was your first airbrushing.

[Guest]

Well last night I used an airbrush for the first time and it went pretty well. I had primed my model (1/72 Sturmovik hack) already with Halfords Grey primer. Then I pre-shaded the panel lines using thinned Humbrol black. A couple of hours later I did the undersurfaces with light blue Humbrol 65, which is a reasonable match for the VVS colour I think.

The coverage seemd fine, at about 18 psi, using an Aztek Contempo and Iwata compressor. I did occassioanlly get a bit of splatter - any ideas about this guys? I think also I really need a finer needle. Aztek's stuff is colour coded and gray is medium; I think I could have done with the fine tip.

As for mixing and clean-up; I can certainly see the advantage of acrylics - damned white spirits everywhere last night; maybe I should get some of those surgical gloves; it would be cheaper than replacing all my enamels.

[Guest]

I had my airbrush out yesterday for the 1st time in ages (Badger 200) and it was a reminder of the white spirit issue!

Plus it left gloss yellow marks on my cheeks above my dust mask!!!! lol it was funny until i had to take off about 6 layers of skin to get rid of it!!!

[Guest]

I'm not totally happy with the airbrush - despite fitting a tan tip (supposedly fne), I can't get a really fine line. Nevertless, for the broad camo patter, I am pretty happy. Work in progress:

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/gallery/files/1/2/5/4/Minoltainfo0016.JPG

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/gallery/files/1/2/5/4/Minoltainfo0017.JPG

[Guest]

That looks pretty neat so far. Practise on your hack until you get the line nice and fine. If you can't you haven't lost anything then!

[wonwinglo]

That is not too bad considering your early experiments,keep at it and things will improve stage by stage.

[Guest]

Good work with the camo. My test of camo skill/patience is forthcoming when I get the white underside of an AC47 done - the uppers have a 3 tone camo and i plan to use acrylics and enamels!

[Guest]

Thanks for the kind words on my first camo job. I was particularly pleased with the pre-shading, which looks quite good on the underside, though it's not really easy to see from the pics. Once I washed and weathered it, I hope it'll look even better.

Although it was bought as a hack, I've invested so much time and effort in this model, I'm really keen to get it looking good.

And Stuart, I am keen to read and see your efforts on your AC47, especially on the use of both enamles and acrylics.

[Guest]

Will let you know how I get on!

[Guest]

Love Kelly's Heroes. The AC-119 Stinger in the gallery is also done with acrylics and enamals. I think the black is enamal and the camo acrylic.