Paint compatability

jpolacchi · Post by **jpolacchi** » Thu Sep 03, 2015 6:34 pm

I'm almost certain that this is a subject that may have been brought up some time ago. I just can't find it/don't know how to look it up? I guess this may be considered relatively basic knowledge, but I often find myself "second guessing" as I know some solvent paints can't be applied over others, it causes weird painting anomalies. Crazing, bubbling as one solvent attacks another. As far as I know, this holds true;

1.lacquer and enamel primers can accept base/solid coats and/or clear coats of, other enamel and lacquers as well as acrylics over cured coats.

2.You cannot apply enamels over acrylics, but you can apply lacquers over acrylics.

3. You can't apply enamels over lacquers.

4. acrylics can accept any water based top coat on it.

5. Lastly, I'm interested in using "urethanes", and from what I can gather, any other solvent paint be it a lacquer, enamel or acrylic can be applied over a dry/cured coast of urethane.

SpaceRanger1 · Post by **SpaceRanger1** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 9:38 pm

You CAN apply enamels over lacquers with no problem. The opposite is not advised, as lacquer usually has a hotter solvent that can dissolve anything under it. In fact, lacquers will dissolve underlying lacquers. I would also not advise applying enamels or lacquers over any water-based paint. By the way, "acrylic" does not necessarily mean "water-based." There are acrylic lacquers and acrylic enamels.

TurkeyVolumeGuessingMan · Sat Sep 05, 2015 11:48 pm

I would never bother with an enamel primer. That's just weird and I don't know who would make that (Testors?). Lacquers (whether they're lacquer or acrylic lacquer, whatever) will be the strongest and hottest. Use a lacquer-based primer such as Tamiya Surface Primer or Mr. Surfacer.

Here in Japan, enamels are used primarily for detail painting and washes. That is to say, they are not used to paint the model's main body color.

Enamels can go on top of acrylics, and acrylics can go on top of enamels, as far as my experience goes.

Never use a clear lacquer to seal decals, since they may eat away at the decal film.

Max Nex · Post by **Max Nex** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 3:13 am

TurkeyVolumeGuessingMan wrote: Enamels can go on top of acrylics, and acrylics can go on top of enamels, as far as my experience goes.

Never use a clear lacquer to seal decals, since they may eat away at the decal film.

it also causes them to turn yellow...as I learned the hard way on a model of the USS Reliant.

(it was also over an enamel-based white)

jpolacchi · Post by **jpolacchi** » Wed Sep 09, 2015 4:53 pm

Good reminder. Although I have been told that you can put a lacquer clear coat over acrylic. I know there are acrylic lacquers and such(never used them).That's more 'automotive" application is it not?

TurkeyVolumeGuessingMan · Mon Sep 14, 2015 1:40 am

Max Nex wrote:it also causes them to turn yellow...as I learned the hard way on a model of the USS Reliant.
(it was also over an enamel-based white)

I know that Testors Dullcote and Gloss Cote turn everything yellow because they are crap.

jpolacchi wrote:Good reminder. Although I have been told that you can put a lacquer clear coat over acrylic. I know there are acrylic lacquers and such(never used them). That's more 'automotive" application is it not?

No, GSI Creos's Mr. Color paint series are acrylic lacquers, and that is for modeling. The medium is lacquer, while the color is acrylic. It's possible to put a lacquer clear coat over acrylics or enamels, assuming you take it easy and only apply light coats and build it up slowly.

Max Nex · Post by **Max Nex** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 5:11 am

TurkeyVolumeGuessingMan wrote:
Max Nex wrote:it also causes them to turn yellow...as I learned the hard way on a model of the USS Reliant.
(it was also over an enamel-based white)
I know that Testors Dullcote and Gloss Cote turn everything yellow because they are crap.

Yeah , I've heard that before ; Testors should just stop making them !