I've just painted my first subject with acrylics. The process was successful thanks to all the great advice on here, but now I have concerns. A friend of mine told me that acrylics have the tendency to crack and flake-off over time. Not to mention, that your surface must be uber-clean or it will not stick. I recall that way-back when that Tamiya's first generation of acrylics had this problem, but I assumed that since then (and this has been about 20 years) that this is no longer an issue. Do I have anything to worry about?

Greetings,

I have never heard of a acrylic cracking problem. When working with acrylics you must be absolutely sure that the plastic is clean from mold relese agents the manufacturer uses and any oils from your fingers. Don't be anal just wash them off before use and let them air dry. I would also lightly clean again before painting as the plastic probably picked up oil from your fingers while handling. Most acrylics require a primer for good adhesion.

Years ago I tried acrylics but had real problems with adhesion and such. They have come a long way. Curently, Vallejo are my favorites. The Model Air line really sprays nice out of the bottle.

Hope my $.02 helps,

Cbreeze

My knowledge is basically for PollyScale acrylics, but I only had a problem with paint lifting up if I tried masking before the paint had cured (remember just because it's dry doesn't mean it's cured, give it a good 24hrs). A solid varnish over the paint job is another good way to ensure it stays down.

Another suggestion, because acrylics dry so fast (even from the airbrush to the model), try adding a fluid retarder to ensure the paint is drying on the model and not drying in the air and just laying on the model.

However, I do have problems with acrylics rubbing off of PE. Maybe you could try a primer if you have problems.

Best of luck.

The only issue close to this that I have ever had was Vallejo Model Air pealing off of P.E. like a small sheet of latex. I am pretty sure this was my fault and not Vallejo's At the time (long ago) I took no speacial measures with the P.E.........just hit it with paint. NOT Vallejo's fault at all!