Forgive me if this question has been asked and answered before but I would like any feedback you guys may have.

I've always used oil based enamels for my models but I'm getting tired of having to use mineral spirits to clean up; especially my airbrush. I'm seriously considering switching to water based acrylics but I've always had the idea that they just don't finish or look as good as enamel. However, since Ive never used them, this thought may not be justified.

Any opinions on acrylics vs. enamels? I sure do like the thought of water clean-up.

I made the switch to acrylics about 5 years ago and have never looked back.
It's takes a bit of practice to used to them IE. they dry faster than enamels which is good and bad. And getting the subtle shades from them is another thing that comes from experience.
You will not be disappointed if you decide to switch.

I agree with Kencelot. I switched over earlier last year and I can't see myself going back. For me it was the smell of the other paint types, the thinners needed, and the headaches I would get when working with them. Since switching to acrylics, and non toxic cement, I haven't had a headache yet. I also did it for the cost. Paying $2.50, or so, for a 1/2 oz bottle of MM paint was just too pricy. I'm using Tamiya acrylics now but I'm replacing them with inexpensive craft paint, like Apple Barrel for example, that I get for .69 cents for a 2.5 oz bottle.

I use Oils, Enamels, and Acrylics - but if I had to use just one style, Acrylics would be the hands-down winner.

The price is cheap, the quality is good, and the clean-up is just seconds of swishing the brush in a cup of water and then on to the next color. They also work wonderfully in my airbrush... and did I mention they are cheap?

My prefered brand (and my sponsor!) is DecoArt, and they produce such a broad variety of colors there is rarely a need to custom mix. Because they are so cheap, I can afford to buy 10 shades of grey for the price of one good tube each of black and white oils! Take a look at the photo below, and realize that double-sided rach represents around only $50 worth of paint!

I find that skins can be done wonderfully (one area where I stil use oils on larger scales), and shading and washes are a real snap. Give it a try...

I airbrush Testor's MM Arcyl straight out of the bottle for base coats and use the craft paints for just about everything else except figure faces. Love 'em. You can catch the craft paints on sale at Hobby Lobby all the time for less than a buck.

Shaun

I switched 1 year ago when I by acident bought some Andrea colours. The German field gray was so good that i decided to do more in acrylics. Besides the cleaning up both of brushes and airbrushes they cover very good as long as you remember to wash your model before painting.

I later found out that Vallejo did the paint for Andrea and has switched to Vallejo (AV) - especially their range for air-brush is fantastic.

Hi merkava,
you took a thought right out of my head. I only use enamels period. I did try acrylics once with terrible results. Being in Saudi the air is mega dry and hot and the acrylic was drying in mid air on its way to the model, no matter how much it was thinned. The airbrush clogged heavily within minutes. Also the availability here is bad.
Once I get back to UK, I will try acrylics again...so many experienced modellers cannot be wrong.
Until then it'll be enamels for me.
Cheers
Peter