Using acrylics to protect Bandai plastic from enamels/oils?

[MillenniumFalsehood]

Is it feasible to protect a Bandai kit's plastic from enamel thinners, lacquers and other known harsh chemicals by first coating the model in acrylic primer or clear varnish? I'd like to think that it would, but those who have worked with paints more than I have probably would be able to tell better.

[EVApodman]

I don't think I have ever painted enamel or lacquer over acrylic. I have painted acrylic over these paints. Since acrylics are water based they don't interact with enamels.

Whether acrylic would protect plastics by forming a protective coat over it is another thing. The basic problem is the solvent used in non-acrylic paints. It softens the plastic slightly and can't be touched until completely dry as many a modeler has discovered when touching still wet paint.

Try experimenting on piece of sprue and see if coating it with acrylic protects it from enamels and lacquers.

[Kylwell]

Or just don't soak it in enamel thinner. Only some plastics are affected by paint thinner. It's only because Bandai doesn't limit themselves to just styrene that this is an issue.

[SpaceRanger1]

I don't think I have ever painted enamel or lacquer over acrylic. I have painted acrylic over these paints. Since acrylics are water based they don't interact with enamels.

Not all "acrylics" are water-based; there are acrylic enamels and lacquers. Tamiya "acrylics," for example, are alcohol-based. Technically they are enamels.

[Kylwell]

I don't think I have ever painted enamel or lacquer over acrylic. I have painted acrylic over these paints. Since acrylics are water based they don't interact with enamels.

Not all "acrylics" are water-based; there are acrylic enamels and lacquers. Tamiya "acrylics," for example, are alcohol-based. Technically they are enamels.

If you want to get technical the term "enamel" only applies to paints that air cure to a hard glossy finish. It's like "plastic". Broadly defined. But yes, there are water based acrylics and other based acrylics. Tamiya swings a number of directions. Then there are water soluble oil paints. It's a mess.