Acrylics.... simply WOW!!!

Ok, I've been a die hard enamel paint user since I "seriously" got into building models.  I haven't attempted to use acrylics yet, especially for airbrushing.  I originally started, like most, hand brushing my models, which is, from what I gathered, easier to do with enamels.  Then I had all this enamel paint so I naturally started my airbrushing with enamels.  I know there is a big debate amongst some about enamel vs acrylics so I usually looked towards the pros about enamels and the cons about acrylics. 

Anyway, I was finally forced to try airbrushing acrylics when my son wanted to airbrush one of his models.  I had always bought him acrylics to hand brush because they were safer.  It was hard for him to do a good job hand brushing acrylic paint, especially when he's only 7.  

So, I thought this would be an opportunity to not only teach my son to airbrush, but also try out acrylics through my airbrush.  I thinned the plain ole testors acrylics with alcohol and WOW.  It was much easier to get a smooth spray.... I just couldn't believe it.  I have tried for so long to get a really good spray from my enamels.  I always thought it was just something I was doing wrong.  I have tried every thinner I could and in every ratio and never really got in consistently right.  My models looked ok, but the painting was never this easy.  I was much easier to get the right consistency and I could actually WORK the airbrush as opposed to what I used to do.  For a bonus, the paint dried super fast as opposed to the enamels I used to use.  We were able to paint several different colors, one after another, without worrying about it being wet.  

I was just very surprised.  I'm not saying I'm totally going to change, but I'm definately going to delve into the acrylic world... but I may be sold soon.

Sorry for the ramble.