something I heard just made me very sad

I'm sure this is just an untrue rumor. Acrylics, Enamels, Laquers...all have their places in all industries. A ban of this type might be worse than leaded Gas,.....My Grandpa's Chevy Apache Pickup never ran quite the same after that :(

Maybe I will still start my own paint company.
You know, a paint by modelers for modelers.
Do I know anything about paint?
No.
But did Orvil and Wilber know anything about planes when they started out?

I guess we just have to wait and see.

Styrene, that's good to hear. Thanks

hou_ge2000,
I went to the Testors website as well as their holding company. The holding company also owns Rustoleum. They have posted the biggest 4th quarter earnings increase ever, except in their retail divisions, which remained relatively flat due to the economic downturn associated with the war. Based on what I saw, there is no news coming down about doing away with any paints or paint types. Also went to the OSHA and EPA sites, and again could find no new regulations forcing employers to change or eliminate formulations based on new toxicological or expanding NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) requirements.
Gip Winecoff

I pretty much airbrush acrylics only, but i still prefer Humbrol enamels for brushing. To me enamels just seem to brush on and cover better.

I don't much like acrylics. I mostly airbrush and the acrylics tend to clump up at the noozle. I also like the durability and superior coverage of enamels.

don't bash enamels, because if you don't use them then you don't have to deal with the fumes. I for one use enamels, but I have not used acrylics, so I am not going to tell what I think about them. personally, I don't have any trouble with the fumes. Just to be adventurous, I am going to use acrylics here fairly soon....... maybe october

I got this "info" from a guy at my local IPMS club. A short chat.

I sure hope enamel stays. Why is enamel better for metallics?

Nooooooo so it ain't so.
All I use is enamals.
I don't like the way acylics bite in to the plastic when the first coat is laid on.
I do not like change and I vow to rebel against this move.
I will start my own enamal paint company.
If laws restrict a company from making a enamal base paint for modeling then my company will make "automotive" touch up paint that comes in little bottles.
What you use my product on is your business.(wink,wink).
If you know what I mean.

I don't see the painting and coatings industry eliminating or even reducing their manufacture of enamels or laquers. What I have seen is an effort to make them more environmentally compatible. In doing so, they have reduced the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in their formulations, and have reduced the releases of these compounds into the air; the theory being to reduce air pollution. In my opinion, organic solvent-based enamels simply hold up better in industrial environments--particularly in outdoor settings on metallic surfaces--better than latexes or acrylic paints. Having said that, enamel model paints are only small potatoes compared to the rest of industry. Unless there is a regulatory driver forcing the issue, the model paint companies would therefore have to be doing this voluntarily. Maybe I'm wrong (That happens a lot.)
Hey, hou_ge2000, what source are you citing? It would be nice to get it straight from the horse's mouth.
Gip Winecoff

I think TenchiMuyo81right, acrylics rules!!!! acrylics are my favorites too I allways use them except for metallics,
but wibhi2 is right too "To each his own" and one of the goods things about our hobby is the variety, so I hope (for you) that the rumors be a lie..
bye

Jeremy

but is there anyway to make the acrylics more durable to kids? you know...they always touch the models and sometimes they make it wet.

To each his own. I personally really like enamels, but acrylics have thier place as well.
Wouldn't surprise me with the way the US is going these days - ban smoking, cell phones, perfume and cologne - phasing out enamels and lacquers makes a logical next step in today's political correctness climate (I use these things as an example of what I am hearing and seeing, whether or not I agree is a moot point)

Even if this absurdaty does come to pass - well there is always artists oils.

I have to admit it, I'm a reformed enamel user. I used to swear by the stuff. After trying some acrylics, because the color I needed was not available in enamel, I was hooked. They did take a little getting used to. A little modification of my techniques and everything is good. The toxicity and fumes of the enamels drove me and my family nuts. Now I can paint and the wife and kids never even notice .

I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks .

Darren

I hate enamels(save for metallic colors). I think the world will be a better place when they are gone.
Reasons why I hate enamels:
1. They don't coat evenly.
2. they don't lie flat(IE: you can see where a brush stroke overlaps).
3. They are impossible to get out of a paintbrush.
4. They take for forever to dry.
5. They STINK.
6. They're more toxic than darn near anything else.
7. Their thinner/cleaner/solvent costs money(where as water[Acrylic paint's thinner/cleaner/solvent] is virtually free.).
8. Their thinner will hurt plastic.
9. They're darn near impossible to remove(so for God's sake, don't make a mistake!).
10. Did I mention they're toxic?

Why I prefer Acrylics:
1. They lie flat.
2. They coat evenly(I've never EVER had unwanted texture with Acrylic paint. NEVER).
3. They come out of a paintbrush with a swish of water and some soap.
4. They dry within minutes(save for gloss paint, but that's a universal problem. Gloss always takes longer to dry).
5. You can't smell acrylic paint.
6. Compared to enamels, they're practically drinkable!
7. Water is virtually free.
8. Water doesn't hurt plastic.
9. Cotton swabs and alcohol take acrylic paint off, no sweat!

As for paint adhesion, I have never had a problem with Acyrlic paint adhering. Wether the plastic was dirty or not, Acrylic paint has never come off of my models!
In fact, the only time I've had paint adhesion problems is with enamels! Unless the plastic is so clean you could eat off it, my enamels stay VERY tacky!

I say, HURRAH FOR ACRYLIC PAINT!! DOWN WITH ENAMELS!!

I personally hope they get rid of every enamel paint save for metallic enamels(which I actually do like. But then again, I've never tried Acrylic metallics.)

HEY,
HECK NO, THEY SHOULDNT GO! I love enamels.

Randy

I hope this is not true. I only use enamels. The only acrylics I have used were the Aeromaster ones that weren't available as enamels (IJA & IJN colors). No one was sadder than I when they went away. I had zero adhesion problems with their acrylics. I wash the model with isopropyl alcohol, paint, and cover with Future, and later Testors dullcoat. Different brands are soluable in different mediums(distilled water, alcohol, mfgr's thinner). You may have to find one that suits your needs. If my vote counts, I say KEEP THE ENAMELS !