I'm always having a hard time getting a really smooth finish with acrylics, even using Tamiya acrylics.. so I was wondering, are enamels easier to deal with as far as airbrushing? Do you have to use specific enamel thinner, or can I use the Tamiya lacquer thinner with it? Do you dilute it 1:1 also, or does it require a different ratio?

If any of you guys airbrush your models with enamels, I'd appreciate some feedback and advice.

Thanks in advance
Hisham

Before I ever considered acrylics, I ran enamels through my brush. To me, one of the biggest drawbacks to using enamels was the clean up. Also, enamels take quite a while longer to cure. However, they are more sturdy than acrylics. While you don't have to use the recommended thinner, I suggest that you do. It may cost a little more, but makes it regulate the spray to the coverage you want. I am, now in the habit of laying down Dullcoate after every spray session involving acrylics. Instead of Testors lacquer thinner, you may want to try their airbrush thinner. Or, if you can't find that, their enamel thinner. Of course, this is just for Testors enamels being the constant. I am not sure why you can not achieve a smooth layer of paint with acrylics. I thin Tamiya acryls, with Tamiya lacquer thinner or thinner and get great results. Testors acrylics react well to water. And, Vallejo with their own thinner also spray well. Perhaps it is the climate.

short answer.."no".

I guess I should have worded the question more clearly.. what I meant by "easier" is that is it easier to get a good smooth finish every time?

My problem with acrylics, whether Tamiya or water based acrylics, is that I never know what the result will look like. I do everything exactly the same every time, but I get results ranging from excellent to very poor.. and I just can't figure out the reason for that

Hisham

Hello,
classic enamel paints like Humbrol or Testors are very good for airbrushing. I thin them to a consistency of strong coffee, that is usually about 40% paint to 60% thinner. Using brand thinners like Humbrol Enamel Thinner or Revell Color Mix does accelerate the drying, and, since they contain some solvents they have a very good adhesion on plastic. You can also use DIY store enamel thinner or white spirit too with similar results.

It is a good idea to warm the paint before stirring up (put the paint jar into a cup of hot water for 1-2 minutes).

It is not more difficult to use than acrylics, only slower. You do not encounter problems like tip clogging and the slower drying time is not necessarily a drawback, just consider paint leveling out. The smell is a factor anyway.

If you do not want to risk your finish you can always pick enamels to acrylics because they are much more tolerant to pressure, tip size, humidity etc. than acrylics and you do not need to rush. I have made some of my best airbrush finishes over the years with Humbrol and Revell enamels.

Thanks for the info, Gabor.

Any experience with Tamiya enamels? Those would be the easiest for me to get online. Also, I have Tamiya's lacquer thinner, would that work with them, or do I have to get some enamel thinner for them?

Thanks again
Hisham

Hello,
Tamiya enamels are indeed very good paints. You need X-20 enamel thinner for them but I am rather sure they would work with Gunze Mr Color thinner as well.

One very important advantage of Tamiya enamel is, you can replenish them even if they seem completely dried out by adding thinner and stirring it hard.

Hisham, if you are going to spray enamels, make sure you wear a proper vapour paint mask.

Hisham,

I airbrush Tamiya enamels mixed with Tamiya X20 as thinner. The consistency I aim is when the paint drips from the stirrer / mixer one drop at a time -- I'd typically start with a 50/50 mix and adjust as necessary to obtain the consistency mentioned.

Cheers,

Tat