SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

What kind of paint

5078 views
32 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2003
What kind of paint
Posted by M1abramsRules on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 1:14 AM
okay I want to know what the ratio is between those who use acrylic paint and those who use enamel paint.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 1:50 AM
Hard one... I use both, though have a preference for Humbrol's enamels so I'll vote there. But I also use artist oils, and artists' watercolours a lot... And there must be some out there using inks and cellulose based paints, no?
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 5:42 AM
I can't really vote on this one because I'm a lifelong enamels user who's trying to convert over to acrylics..So far I'm doing pretty well with Tamiya. Still like the durability of enamel a bit better though.
  • Member since
    June 2003
Posted by M1abramsRules on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 10:06 AM
I just wanted to find the difference between enamel and acrylic users. That's why I didn't put anything else in
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Sandusky Ohio, USA
Posted by Swanny on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 10:19 AM
I use both and have no strong preference for one over the other. The real determining factor is the model and what it's made out of i.e. injected, vac or resin.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 11:47 AM
I use acrylic because of easy of cleaning, but I prefer enamel. The look and last better, and the are easier to apply. But I'll sacrafice that to escape the fumes and cleaning of the airbrush with enamels.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 2:36 PM
I use enamel because its all I can find within fifty miles. Never tried the other.
95% on my paint is applied by brush.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Washington State
Posted by leemitcheltree on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 6:17 PM
Chris,
There's really no hard and fast rule that I follow, but generally autos and airliners get automotive acrylics, AFV's get either flat enamels OR acrylics, as do camo aircraft. I guess it depends on the color wanted and if it's a color already mixed to an FS color chip.
I almost always prime with Model Master enamel - it's very smooth and lays down very well.
Cheers
LeeTree

Cheers, LeeTree
Remember, Safety Fast!!!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Third rock from the sun.
Posted by Woody on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 7:23 PM
I'm sure acrylics are just fine, but I like the way enamels cover and their durability. And that smell, you just don't get that great smell with acrylics! LOLTongue [:P]

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Exit 7a NJ Turnpike
Posted by RAF120 on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 8:23 PM
I use enamel because that's what I've always used and have acumulated a wide range of colors. I have tried acrylics and I liked what I saw, but find it hard justify the expense of making the switch. It will be a long slow process if I make the switch.
Trevor Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket?
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:06 AM
Somebody call an ambulance for Woody...! He's been exposed to those fumes for way too long..!

Having said that, I just loved the smell of the old 'Authentic' Humbrol RLM02 paint. No wonder the German pilots were flying high!
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
Posted by link955 on Saturday, November 1, 2003 12:22 AM
I use both, depending on the circumstances. I prefer Humbrol enamels because not only do they cover well whether brushed or sprayed, they last a long time after being opened. Has anyone else ever had Testor's paint turn into a solid glob at the bottom of the bottle? It frustrates me; I only use Testor's now if the color I need isn't available from Humbrol. But it always feels like a waste of money to me because I know when I open that bottle of Testor's paint 3 months later, there will be a layer of clear carrier on top and a solid, rubbery block of pigment in the bottom. The cynic in me (and boy does he talk a lot) says it's a purposeful act by Testor's to keep us buying their paints; the more sensible side says it's because of all the laws about paints not containing lead and toxic stabilizers. Anyway, when I plan to paint a figure with tube oil color, I always paint the main colors on the figure first with acrylics. Tube oils are usually translucent, so having the same basic color underneath gives some depth and allows me to use a very thin layer of the oil color and not hide any detail.
Ne cede malis (Latin: Yield not to misfortune)
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 1, 2003 1:20 AM
I used to use exclusively Enamels...how ever I have now phased in a few acrylics and more than likely by the end of the year will be using exclusively Acrylics....of course thats the plan and could change at any given moment.
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by nicholma on Saturday, November 1, 2003 5:35 AM
Acrylics because of ease of use, clean-up, and availability. I use automotive spray cans for most body colour or Tamiya spray cans.
Kia ora, Mark "Time flies like the wind, fruit flies like bananas"
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Saturday, November 1, 2003 5:48 AM
I use enamels because they are cheaper to buy and easier to find in my part of the world. When they were availiable to me I did use aeromaster acrylics they were a little more expensive, but they were very good.

Now days what paint I use is decided by what my nearest model shop is stocking at the time.
Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Dahlonega, Georgia
Posted by lizardqing on Saturday, November 1, 2003 9:01 AM
I have always used enamels but have picked a few acrylics lately to give them a try. To me the enamels don't really have a smell but the acrylics do have a little bit of a funky smell.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 1, 2003 9:08 AM
mostly acrylic since they are odourless which is very important if you live with others and not having your private workbench -lab room.
Plently of enamels on stock used outdoors,indoors when occassion arises...lol
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 1, 2003 4:42 PM
I hardly ever use plain old enamels. I use Tamiya acrylics, Testors Metalizers and Floquil. I use an automotive clear lacquer, PPG Ditzler Acrylic Lacquer Clear. It is not kind to enamels. It's ok over acrylics though.

Glenn
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
Posted by link955 on Monday, November 3, 2003 2:32 PM
I have to agree with you guys about the odor of enamel paints; in a small room like I work in it can get pretty noxious over a period of hours ( Although I have to tell you I enjoy the smell of Humbrol paints). Actually there are two small windows in the room (its in the basement) but they don't provide much ventilation. I am currently saving my spare change to invest in a spray hood for airbrushing. When I spray with canned paints I go out in the garage (and no, the car isn't parked in there). My favorite smell, I must admit, is tube oil color. I guess it goes back to me days as an art major in college. Linseed oil just does it for me, what can I say?
Ne cede malis (Latin: Yield not to misfortune)
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 3, 2003 7:30 PM
Although enamels are the only thing that I can find here in Oklahoma City (until Hobbytown opens here in December), I prefer acrylics and I order acrylics online. Acrylics are so much easier to use and clean. I prefer Gunze (they do have horrible fumes though so I wear a respirator) they are very smooth and they leave a glossy finish that decals adhere to easier so I do not have to spray Future on first. I also use Testors acryl's and Tamiya acrylics although Tamiya can be difficult to match up to federal standard colors, at least in my experience. I do use Model Master buffing metalizers as well. Overall acrylics are my first choice.

Steve
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 3, 2003 10:39 PM
Always used enamels and never tried acrylics. I think I need to have a more open mind and try more new things.Wink [;)]
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Central USA
Posted by qmiester on Tuesday, November 4, 2003 7:30 PM
When I started modeling (53-54???) enamels were the only thing which would stick to plastic without damaging it (ever brush paint Floquil RR paints directly on plastic? one word - don't Banged Head [banghead] ).
When acrylics came out, tried them and had a couple of disastrous sessions so went back to enamels. Over the past years have slowly started to use acrylics for specalized things (washes over enamels, basecoats for figures etc). Now I probably do 90% of my painting with enamels and the other 10% is laquers and acrylics. Tongue [:P]
Quincy
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 6:38 PM
WHAT WOULD YOU GUYS RECOMMEND ON GLASS AND POTTED PLANTS?
DO U THINK ENAMELS ON GLASS AND ACRYLIC ON THE POTS?
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 6:43 PM
PLEASE DONT TYPE IN ALL CAPS!!! use primer, it ALWAYS works. tjen paint over primer
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Phoenix,Az
Posted by 9x19mm on Monday, April 12, 2004 4:53 AM
More often then not I spray acrylics and brush enamels. Sometimes need prevents this but thats the way it works out most of the time.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 12:58 PM
Never touched an enamial in several years. I mostly use tamiya, model master and polly scale acryls. For metal effects its airbrush only model master laquor metalizers. Used to be a heavy enamial fan untill I learned the danger of them over acryls. If used properly it won't damage me, but at the time I got scared away from it and ever since I've switched to acryls and I've been happy with the effects.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 1:14 PM
havent touched enamals in about 3 years, either. but not because of safety, because acrylics were cheaper, dried faster, more redily available, and easier to thin. never looked back
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 4:13 PM
QUOTE: never looked back

Same here, and I did notice it smells less and it's cheaper and all that good stuff.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Monday, April 12, 2004 5:30 PM
me, tamiya acrylics, and a color wheel are real close friends. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 7, 2004 11:03 PM
What works as an overcoat to Testors Metalizer? Someone had suggested Future. Any other suggestions?
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.