Dumb Question

Hi Steve,

Just the opposite. Enamels are oil-based; although there are water-based and latex-based "enamels." For our purposes, they are mostly oil-based.

Acrylics are water soluble until dry, at which point, they become pretty resistant to water. They can be diluted with water, but are made from pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion. Each company has their own formula, so they don't all play well with each other when wet. For instance, don't mix Vallejo and Tamiya acrylic paints.

Hope this helps,

Tim

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Though most acrylic paints can be cleaned up with water (ie. they're ostensibly water soluble) it doesn't necessarily mean that they can/should be thinned with water. For example, Tamiya's acrylic paints (as mentioned above by Tim) can be thinned to an extent with water, but will yield far better results using the proprietary X-20A acrylic thinner.

If you're just starting out, I'd recommend using the manufacturer's proprietary thinner and gain a little experience with the paints before seeking alternative thinners.

Great, thanks to both of you. I will try paints and thinners from my LHS first, once I get used to airbrushing, I will migrate to different products..

Welcome back to modeling.

Your idea is a good one ("I will try paints and thinners from my LHS first, ...") that way you have a reliable source to draw from.  

Keep in mind there is a boat load of different makers and types of paints out there and somebody is nearly always touting their latest find, as the perfect answer to a paint problem/color/type . But you can learn a lot sticking to one brand/type, until you're comfortable.  Then branch out and experiment with others-

----'course in todays modeling world that may be just until next month

Pick up the November issue of FSM. There's a great article in there about Painting with Acrylic. Inside, is a thinner to paint ratio chart when using different brand of acrylic paints. You'll be glad you did.

Great chart, I use it all the time.  It also has the ratio for enamel paints.

For a beginner I'm a firm supporter of using the thinner that is produced by the company that makes your paint. Even when they mention alternatives that can be used. This makes it much easier when it comes to troubleshooting a paint problem. And a problem will come.

As you gain experience you can experiment with more generic thinners. However to me the money saved going with a generic just isn't worth it.

If you want to find out just water soluble Acrylics are /aren't just try to get it out of you clothes!

Thanks all!  I will check the magazine. I'm pretty jacked about getting back into modeling!