Tamiya acrylic white problems

Yep, white is difficult. Possible improvemenst:

- use tamiya thinner

- use a light grey primer

- clean the plastic before painting (alohol or ammonia)

- adjust Psi setting

- multiple coats, four at least

I always prime my models before painting (Vallejo white polyurethane primer). I have been playing around with the PSI setting and I think I found a sweet spot at 15psi and I'm gonna try just doing a lot of light coats. It might be a pain, but I guess that's modelling for you :P

I actually just ordered a small bottle of Vallejo model air white to compare it to the Tamiya. Hopefully if it's great, I'll switch white over to that.

Borg R3-MC0

Yep, white is difficult. Possible improvemenst:

<snip>

- multiple coats, four at least

Agree with both these points. Light colors, particularly yellow and white, require several LIGHT coats over even a light primer or plastic and even more coats over a dark base.

Yeah, several thin light coats.  Same thing with Tamiya Gloss Yellow.

What are you using the white to paint? Are you looking for a flawless finish on something like a car or airliner, or something rough like a combat equipment whitewash finish? Each requires a different approach. But yes, white, like yellow, tends to be a more troublesome color to paint.

Another alternative is to use matt white & then clear coat to get the gloss finish - matt tends to be less troublesome than gloss & dries much, much quicker, allowing you to get multiple coats down in a relatively short time in comparison to gloss...

I am painting one of my mechs, but I want the finish to be "clean". Not necessarily flawless but not combat weathered. I might end up doing 4-5 light coats in the end.

White used to be a pain to me too. But I've found two things work really well  

1. Prime with black. You will be able to see that you're getting coverage much better, and if you're studious you can create some amazing color depth and shadow play.

2. Enamels. White and yellow are zero issue with enamel paints. I've done plenty of one coat apps with great coverage.

Addendum: try thinning Tamiya with lacquer thinner. Expert modelers do this a lot more than realized. Mr. Color leveling thinner is your best friend when it comes to Tamiya acrylics. Try it and you'll never go back.

Try a light dusted primer coat of flat white, a coat or two of gloss white over that to build it up, then a top coat of flat white.

Try Model Master Acryl White.

Eh...I've found the only thing MM Acryl is good for is headaches. Their enamels are excellent, but the Acryl isn't very durable.

The only thing MM Acryl does better than Tamiya is hand brush better. But they are far more finicky to airbrush, even using their own brand thinner.

They do brush nicely. I keep some for that; along with Vallejo. I wouldn't use Acryl over anything that's going to need masking. With obsessive surface prep its acceptable. I just feel like with all the paint options out there it's not worth it.

Well said...