Enamel vs Acrylic

[nobby024]

Getting back into modelling after many years, can anyone tell which is best to use Enamel or Acrylic paints and can both be used on the same project.

[airfixian]

Use acrylic as the brushes can be cleaned in water (cold water as hot will react with the chemicals)

[John Symmons]

Hi Nobby024

Welcome back to modelling.

Both have their uses & devotees. Basically some feel that enamels give a smoother finish due to their longer drying time and adhere better but do need some smelly solvents for airbrushing & cleaning. Acrylics are more enviromentally freindly & you can get by with using water for thinning, cleaning & airbrushing. Today most acrylics can match enamels for finish especially the Vallejo range ( very popular with figure & armour modellers). Really it's a matter of personal preferances & your pocket as some acrylic brands can be a bit pricey, but if you start with Humbrol you should be OK, then as you get more into the hobby try branching out with other brands. & see what suits you. Finally just keep a eye on this forum for simular threads & check-out the tips & hints section on this site.

Remember we do this for fun   John te Pom 

[Shane Kemp]

Hi Nobby

I use both Humbrol enamel and acrylic, i find them both relatively easy to use when brush painting, i find that tinning them a little helps with getting a nice finish.

 

As far as airbrushing goes, i have one but i still need to learn how to use it properly, but i honestly wouldn't bother with the can of propellant, go straight for a mini compressor, and try to get one with a receiver tank and a moisture trap

[Jonathan Mock]

Better to invest in a decent compressor for the start - propellant cans are expensive and inefficient. I'd also recommend either an Iwata Neo or Sparmax Premi-Air. Better to spend some money on some decent gear and practice, practice, practice!

[DavidJC]

There's some good replies on airbrush recommendations on site so if you have a poke around you will see some good debate regarding them, but I went for an Iwata Neo and a cheap but cheerful and adequate air compressor with a regulator knob, which keeps dropping off. But it does me! I also got a filter and water trap which goes between the airbrush and the connector hose. I know have an Iwata Eclipse but I am having to virtually learn again. And believe me it takes some learning to airbrush. So don't go hammering in with your latest model, practice practice practice. That includes thinning ratios, distance, pressures, the lot.

 

As to paint choice, well, now I swear by acrylics although for some things I do use enamels, mainly Humbrol's Matt, Gloss and Satin Cote. I have used Humbrol acrylics but I must confess to using Tamiya acrylics in the main, and have discovered that Revell acrylics are somewhat underrated.

 

Nothing wrong with enamels, but I prefer acrylics now.

[ironsides]

Have been using arcyillics since they first became readily available in suitable model quality paints and then some...ditto on the matt cote I use this as well but otherwise usually only acryllics, largely because I've always found them to be more user friendly, though like anything it takes getting used too, usually I thin the paint with a drop water and apply in thin coats with a brush... a few drops of dishwahing detergent in the water will help to break the surface tension and improve flow, at least it works for me..... .-)

[Ratch]

 I had used enamels for almost 50 years and probably would not have changed but SWMBO hated the smell, especially when I sprayed. So a couple of years ago I sold the 200+ tins of enamel I had and switched to acrylics. I had always preferred Humbrol enamels (especially their Authentics range), but Humbrol acrylics did not get good reviews. Despite this I hoarded the little Gift Set potlets. I had Vallejo paints recommended to me and their Vallejo Model Color and Vallejo Model Air are excellent - VMA can be sprayed straight through the airbrush with no additions. I've never been totally happy brushing Tamiya, but I have to say it sprays OK (I use Xytracrylics thinners with it). Eventually I tried those horrid Humbrol acrylics, only to discover they're nowhere near as bad as some would have you believe. They brush pretty well, but my experience with airbrushing is mixed. I've used Humbrol Acrylic Thinner and sometimes added Winsor & Newton Flow Enhancer. Some colours spray fine, others refuse to be expelled from the airbrush. So VMA remain my weapon of choice with the airbrush, but I don't mind which with a hairy stick. I must say I don't get on with the Revell Aqua range. They are thick and turn gloopy. I've not even tried to spray with them.

[Ratch]

 I have used Games Workshop, but their colour desciptions are not very helpful.

[DavidJC]

 Eventually I tried those horrid Humbrol acrylics, only to discover they're nowhere near as bad as some would have you believe...

...I must say I don't get on with the Revell Aqua range. They are thick and turn gloopy. I've not even tried to spray with them.

For me its the other way around. I can't get on with Humbrol that well (although I do actually have and use a few pots), but though I agree Revell are thick and gloopy (VERY thick and gloopy), after thinning with its own thinner, they spray and even brush beautifully. Like any paint, don't overthin though. I will persevere with Humbrol acrylics however. It could be I am just unfamiliar with their properties.

[Braille Dave]

I prefer enamels, but then thats what I'm used to...and I have the luxury of a workshop...with an extractor...

 

....And I tend to mix a lot, to get the colours I think are accurate. I've not been able to get good enough results with acrylic...

[Jonathan Mock]

A lot of this is also dependent on practice and personal experience - it sounds like a dodge, but you have to find what works for you.

[Ratch]

I agree Revell are thick and gloopy (VERY thick and gloopy), after thinning with its own thinner, they spray and even brush beautifully.

Our experiences seem to be completely opposite Dave. Like Jon says, its about finding out what works for you. Noobies think there's one perfect solution to any modelling question whereas, in reality, there are many. The only way is to try things out.

[genesis1210]

i prefer acrylics ,easier cleanup tho primers are better as non water based , big plus to arylics is you can use oil base pin washes .

[Dad Paul B]

Like most I started with enamels. I switched to acrylics when I was mass painting lead figures. Coming back to plastic I have stuck with acrylic but they can be difficult to work with. A good primer coat is essential (I use thinners for the big surfaces or just spray). Pale colours generally need a white base as the grey is impossible to cover opaquely. For all white aircraft I spray.

Satin and gloss colours can be tricky as they show streaks and watermarks so need perseverance and a layer of clear between each coat. Matts can be a bit rough looking but experiment with brands (I mainly use Humbrol and Tamiya). I suggest seeing what other people do and experiment until you find what works.

[genesis1210]

About to start a full interior academy tiger and planning to use vallejo as they do a set for german tank interiors , not used them before and  undecided as to what to use for the exterior dunkelgelb as I will be spraying with a basic airbrush  and brush painting depending on component size .