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Lacquers, alcohol base vs water base acrylics

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 7:07 PM

I love using Model Master enamels but most of the FS military line was dropped and I'm slowly switching to lacquer based paints that perform very similar as my enamel stash diminishes. Just yesterday I threw away 2 new bottles of MM enamels cause they went bad. I have some Testors enamels that are 25-30 years old and are like new yet 2-3 year old ones have gone bad. 

I have tried several acrylic paints and they just don't perform as well in the ab as my enamels or lacquers. I get better control and tight paint patterns with enamels and lacquers than when using acrylics.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 2:46 PM

I still like solvent paints too.  I have learned to use some acrylics when it is the only choice, some day.  I do not like how quick they dry, but I know for some brands they have retarders, and I haven't tried that yet.  Fortunately, they have not yet banned solvent paints yet.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 9:16 AM

HighDesertmodeler
Stikpusher, you can still purchase Gunze aqueous, Spraygunner and Burbank Hobbies sell them from #’s 1-99. You may check with eBay to find higher number series?
 

Thanks. I'll have to check those shops out.

Tony, at least one of the local shops here in the Phoenix area carries the AK Real Colors line. At least their armor colors. I've been favorably impressed by those.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 6:10 AM
AK Real colors,very similar to Tamiya,I thinned with their Lacquer thinner,very low odor and good coverage.

  • Member since
    August 2019
  • From: Northern Nevada
Posted by HighDesertmodeler on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 12:49 AM
Stikpusher, you can still purchase Gunze aqueous, Spraygunner and Burbank Hobbies sell them from #’s 1-99. You may check with eBay to find higher number series?
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 11:30 PM

I agree. I loved the Gunze aqueous line. Unfortunately due to labeling issues in the US, they stopped being imported and carried by local shops several years back, and they were substituted with the lacquer line, a true shame. I like Tamiya, but dont care for many of their more generic colors. Ah well, life goes on.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    August 2019
  • From: Northern Nevada
Lacquers, alcohol base vs water base acrylics
Posted by HighDesertmodeler on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 5:37 PM

Try as I may, fine detail (1/72, 1/144) using water base acrylics is a real challenge...nozzle size, psi settings, tip dry, cleaning needle tip, thinning, retarders, flow improver, etc, etc.  Although I can creat nice camouflage in my eyes using the water based acrylics it comes with much frustration and time.  I can do it much more easily using my trusted lacquers (Gunze, AK Real Colors, MRP) or Tamiya and Mr Hobby Aqueous lines.

I'm regulating my water based acrylics for base coats, since I have an ample supply, while camouflage and fine detail I'll shoot with lacquers, Tamiya or Mr Hobby Aqueous.  

Yes, I wear an appropriate mask and keep a well ventilated room. Cleanup is also not a hassle...a few cotton buds/Q-tips and small pieces of paper towel moistened with lacquer thinner along with a couple of bursts using the thinner through the airbrush and your done.    

There is not a true substitute for solvent based paints for ease of spray-ability.

What are your thoughts?

 

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