I just AB my 1/16 Tamiya Sherman and the paint is still tacky. How long does it take for the thinned paint to dry? Its been over 3 hours. I'm using Testors Model Masters enamal paint. I hope I didnt overthin the paint. I used a 60/40 thinner/paint ratio. I used Floquill AB thinner, its for the railroad paints. I hope the thinner isnt atacking the plastic. Does it take days for a really thinned paint to dry? Thx.

Enamels you'll want to dry for at least 48 hours. Be patient. The longer you let it cure, the better.

Welcome aboard Pigdog!

Enamel paint can take quite a while to dry, and will take even longer in cool weather. Enamels won't be completely cured for at least 48 hours or more. Give it a couple days before really handling it if you can.

Thanks for mentioning the weather influence Grifter.
Like I mention above 48hrs. would be the bare minimum. I've known of others waiting up to a week.

I airbrush with Modelmaster enamels and they usually dry very quickly. If preshading, I will usually spray all the shades in one sitting and I have never had problems with an uncured paint (though I wouldn't weather it until it has had a couple days to dry). One problem could be that the paint was too thin. If you were painting a flat colour and it seems a little glossy, this could be the problem. It tends to remain sticky for a long time when this happens. I use Testors airbrush thinner and the directions state to use a ratio 3 paint to 1 thinner. I just eyeball it, see how it sprays, and then add more thinner (or more paint if I messed up) from there.

Nic

Matt enamels need the 'sludge' which settles at the bottom of the jar or tin the paint came in to dry thoroughly, if they were not mixed in well, it can cause problems with drying. Sometimes in extreme cases you can get the 'it's never going to dry' syndrome that it sounds like you are experiencing. If it persists, you could try drying the paint down by working in talcum power to the painted surface with a brush. Doesn't always work but is worth a try if you are desperate. Give the paint some time before you try this though, it probably will dry eventually.
Incidentally, adding talc to enamel paint will increase its 'mattness' to coin a word, but obviously it makes the paint more 'gritty' so careful with how you use it (hand painting only recommended!).
You could always try putting the model outside (in shelter) to speed the drying time, heating it tends to keep it soft and tacky, adding to the illusion that it's never going to dry!

Thanks for the input guys. I've never really had a problem with paint not drying fairly quickly. Only silver paint used to take forever to dry. I wait a few days and see what happens. THX.