Paint brands

I mainly use enamels, but i do also use Acrylics. My main brand is Tamiya but i have also taken to useing vallejo recently.

For weatheirng, i mainly use AK interactive but do have some MiG oils and pastels.

Is there any advantages/disadvantages to using acrylics over enamels? Is one type of paint better for armor or aircraft?

I use enamels for both. The set I use, Xtracolour, is gloss, so no need to add a gloss coat, and it comes in the colour ranges I use. The main drawback of Enamels is the smell and they are more harmful than Acrylics.

There is also an issue with drying time with Enamels supposedly taking longer, but I have had them touch dry in less than 24 hours. I mainly use the Acrylics for painting figures and small bits on the model, tracks, tools etc or where I don't want to add a future coat before adding oil/enamel washes. Its all really down to personal preference.

If you are forced to paint in the house without separation from others living there, I would certainly go for Acrylics.

Thank you Bish!

I use both acrylic and enamel, even some lacquer. My preference for acrylic is based on quality of finish, ease of cleanup and very little smell.

Enamel requires either lacquer thinner or enamel thinner for reduction to spray, as well as cleanup. Awful odor, not very healthy either. I use them only because I have a dedicated workshop with spray booth and powerful fan, positive airflow via sealed four inch hose to the outside.

Acrylic flows out nicely, fully dry usually in two days or less, next to no odor, but still I only spray at the booth. Easy cleanup with water or alcohol, (EXCEPT VALLEJO,) water works OK with Vallejo, but alcohol reacts and turns it into a thick, stubborn mess that's difficult to remove, except with lacquer thinner or acetone.

My preference is Tamiya acrylic, very consistent batches and great quality finish, durable as well. Larger bottles than most others, cost of use is less. Tamiya is not very good for brush painting, must use flow agents to avoid brush strokes. Vallejo Model Color is good for brushing, Model Air for spraying. No experience with other brands.

Tamiya offers a thinner that works very well, X-20A. They also offer a lacquer thinner that some swear by, I haven't tried it yet, but regular lacquer thinner works well in it.

Hope this helps.

Patrick 

Bish

There is also an issue with drying time with Enamels supposedly taking longer, but I have had them touch dry in less than 24 hours.

 

I have had gloss enamels take three or four days to dry in certain weather conditions, but I like enamels otherwise.  So I built a heated drying box, and even gloss enamels now dry in less than a day.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages.  For me the longer drying time and more intense clean up with the enamels, is the downside.  But the acrylics can dry TOO fast!  So when using an AB, you have to watch your tips, the acrylics dry very quickly.  My "rule of thumb" is I use acrylics to AB (mostly Tamiya), and enamels for hand painting.  But that is just me.  Best bet is to get a few of each brand and type and try them out yourself.  You'll make your own conclusion..and it will work for you! Then you can teach us!  LOL!

Eagle90

Laquer is your friend. If someday I can no longer get Mr. Color I'll quit the hobby. The beauty of lacquer is it dries faster than enamel and it can be pushed furthure than enamel and most certainly farther than acrylic. Solvent based acrylics like Tamiya and Mr. Hobby are really great, and a nice second option. The problem with Tamyia is poor color choice. The problem with Mr. Hobby is avaliability in the US. I find all other acrylics pretty much useless because they don't spray well at highly thin levels needed for the airbrush based weathering I do.

acctingman

Just curious to know what brand(s) the pros here use for acrylics? Is one better than the other? I'll be airbrushing and doing heavy weathering.

For weathering products.....whom do you prefer?

Thanks in advance!

 

Although I use enamels for detail painting and dry-brushing, I airbrush only acrylics. 

My favorite is Tamiya; It always works and very easy to clean.
My 2nd favorite is Testors.

My LEAST favorite is Vallejo; I have to make it work.