Ok, have kind of a puzzling problem here: I'm working on a DML M1A2 Abrams, and I'm using the Legends TUSK II AM set. I'm using Model Master Acrylic Sand as the base color, and on some of the parts I have airbrushed I have experienced the paint cracking and flaking off. This has occured on both plastic and resin parts. And it doesn't happen 100% of the time. ( I am pre-painting subassemblies as I go.) All parts have been washed thoroughly, and I dilgently clean my airbrush. This has happened from different bottles of the same color, and it doesn't happen when I brush paint small parts using the same paint. I use the same pressure every time, and it happens when I let the paint dry naturally on it's on. Oh, and did I mention that I can strip the flaky paint off and shoot again from the same bottle of paint and it's fine the next time? The only other variable I can think to add is I'm painting indoors in a climate-controlled room. Any ideas? I'm wanting to solve this problem before I paint the turret with all the delicate TUSK stuff applied to it.

If you want my PERSONAL advice, i would say throw out the MM acryl and get some Vallejos.....

The only thing i can think of is that either your paint hasnt cured and you are touching it or their is oil on the parts. you should try priming and painting and see if that helps.

Hi Jon,
I can rule out the touching, and I have washed the parts prior to painting. And as far as the curing, that is when the cracking has appeared; after the paint has dried. Forgot to mention in the original post, it has also happened on primed and non-primed parts, and by the same token it has been fine on both primed and non-primed parts. As far as going with Vallejos, the only hold up to that would mean I would have to order all of my paint; my LHS's only carry MM and Tamiya; I went with MM because the Sand is a match for the CARC Tan of the OIF Abrams.

I find it likely that your LHS buys the MM in bulk. They may have several bottles from the same batch. Either go with a different paint or pull a bottle from the back. I am currently using a MM acrylic on my Sdkfz 7 and haven't experienced any problems with it.

Matt, I've never had any problems with it either, and as i said it hasn't been a consistent problem this time either. Bought a couple of fresh bottles from another store and am going give it a try.

if its flaking, its either the paint or nothing for the paint to properly adhere to. first that i would suspect is the latter of the two.

Greetings,

I couldn't help but notice another help with MM thread. I struggled with MM for years and finally decided to end that madness and go with Vallejo. Couldn't be happier. Seems like it is hit or miss with MM with more misses being the rule. I have tried all the tricks and never got consistent results.

So far I have had absolutely no problems with Vallejo and they have a great acrylic primer. too. Good luck with your build.

cbreeze

The thing that hasme scratching my head is that it's not an all the time thing, even with paint from the same bottle, and as far as an adhesion problem I thought maybe that too, except instead of just not sticking the paint cracks like dried mud, and then flakes off when rubbed.

It is so ironic that I checked out this site at this exact time! The same thing happened to me tonight with the same exact paint color. I sprayed a Trumpeter E-25 in prep for a splinter scheme over my primer and it went on fine at first, as I progressed it got bubbly, separated and crackled plus made an "eggshell" effect, but only in some spots. I spray in my basement, but have a dehumidifier on and it is 70 degrees. I am just going to wait for it to dry and sand it out but it is still frustrating. I was also going to use Valejo and even tested it but it was darker than the MM Sand so I went with the sand. I will never do that again.

My LHS doesnt stock vallejo either, so i order mine from coloradominatures.com. their prices are very good, but it does end up being more expensive in the end. However, i never have any issues with vallejo paint and they have a wide range of colors. I honestly can not recommend them enough.

The only other reason for your issue that i can think of is that you arent stirring your paint enough, but im pretty sure you are. Maybe your jar is just really old? Im really sorry you are having these problems