wether air or dry brushing valejo paints they remain extermely vulnerable to the slightest contact for almost a day as compared to revell gunze tamiya which dry rapidly and withstand the odd abrupt impact with surface while working.By the time i finished the typhoon i had at least 10 paint chips and all and only valejo from contact on the table mainly.For figures i am using distilled water as diluant while with the airbrush 96% alcohol until the valejo diluent arrives i hope next weeck.Is there anything i can add which strengthens the grip on the surface or speeds up the drying period .

Hello Amin,

I always do detail painting with Vallejo acrilycs.
Last night i did some detail painting on my Jagdtiger, and after 10 to 15 min i can handle the painted parts without problem, of paint coming off. I also use ordinairy tap water to thin them.

Greetz
Tony

Do you prime your parts before painting with Vallejos? That could be the culprit, as Vallejo acrylics don't stick to bare plastic very well. Painted over primer they hold much better.

i've never used primers on styrene,i also have the problem with dry brushing figures using valejo.Are you priming figures as well?Is there like a period after which its safe to man handle or does it stay fragile ? If i use primers will the problem seize entirely?i remember years back having slightly this problem with tamiya but not once the paint has settled.I will be spraying a coat of flat soon so that should help.

Well, there is your problem, no primer.

Pick up some of the Vallejo primer that now comes in a multitude of colors, 16 at last count, and use it before putting your paint on. As well, thin your Vallejo with their thinner.

Been using it and doing this for years and the paint sticks like it should....but on bare plastic, there is nothing for the paint to adhere to.

As well, if you have any dissimilar materials on your kit (resin, PE, even seam filler) primer gives you a even surface....blank canvas if you will to put your color coats on.

Oh yes, I prime pretty much everything, though perhaps with the occasional exception of some parts that don't get handled once finished (like some aircraft interior detail parts). Not only does primer provide a nice and uniform surface to lay paint on, it highlights any possible remaining seams and surface imperfections so you can take care of them before continuing further.

Usually Vallejos are dry enough to touch safeky within an hour, though I've read that acrylics can take up to a day to fully cure (ie. the coat to harden properly). Drying time of course varies depending on the thickness of the coat, temperature, etc.

Yes, priming will improve adhesion of Vallejos greatly. However, Vallejos do remain somewhat softer and more fragile (compared to enamels, for example), but priming will prevent the paint from chipping and flaking off like on bare plastic. A final coat of varnish will seal the surface and ensure a durable finish.

Though I have used Tamiya acrylics on only a couple of occasions, they do stick better. Unfortunately they're not well suited for brush painting, as they dry too quickly.

Paints with harder thinners like enamels and lacquers don't depend on primer as much, they usually adhere quite well even to bare plastics, but then they need harsher thinners to use, have strong odours and aren't so convenient to use as acrylics.

Vallejo paints are very nice paints to work with, but you do want to give them something to grab onto. Even with this they are still relatively "soft" compared to the other paints that you have mentioned and you will want to use care handling your model until you seal it. I find that I cant' touch figures directly when painting with Vallejo colors or my fingers rub through the paint. Wrapping a piece of plastic wrap such as saran wrap around your model will allow you to hold it without rubbing the Vallejo paints off after they've dried.

From the above and as from today i will start using primers.I wasnt using them because i only recently moved to acrylics 100% and i'm glad i did.No more dangerous fumes,odours, gloves,sore eyes and fingers,turpentine,etc etc.tks everyone for your invaluable advice.

i always use primer but vallejo paints are a bit delicate for the first day (24 hrs). i have read over the last year or two how many pro modelers leave their base painting to dry for as much as 4 days before going into weathering.

i find i always have other items to work on while i wait those couple of extra days. i hate doing something that takes the paint off right to the primer. cheers, bd

I never use primer on anything; why add an extra layer of paint when it's not needed?
Mrosko