Noob question on craft acrylics

[TedD]

Looking for some guidance here on the use of craft type acrylics. I have watched numerous videos and must me missing something.  I have tried painting bare plastic after prepping the surface as well as using primer before the top coat but the acrylic seems very delicate and is easily scratched when handled. I have tried thinning with "Future" thinking this may offer a bit more durability but I still get the same result.  Should I be clearing it with something like Minwax polycrylic clear before handling? Any ideas on what step I am missing here?

 

[restoman]

How are you prepping the surface before paint? Are you sanding before spraying the paint?

 

I've tried craft acrylics as an experiment and never noticed it being too delicate, though it is softer than enamel or lacquer. I thinned it with washer fluid, and didn't try to bomb too much on each coat. It's fairly slow to flash off between coats.

I haven't put clear over top of the acrylic, but that would definitely make it more durable...

[TedD]

Surface Prep: Washing with warm water and Dawn dish soap. I use a "Gray" Scotch Brite pad while washing as it is a bit finer pad to scuff the surface.  I then primed with Vallejo light gray primer and sanded with 600 grit. Then shot about three coats of Black Createx acrylic thinned 50/50 with "Future".  I am wondering if A: need a couple more coats and B: Need to let it dry longer than 12 hours as I did with this application.  At this point I am calling this a practice body and it is currently soaking in Water/Alcohol bath in prep to strip it so I can make another attempt at it.

Edited November 13, 2015 by TedD

[TedD]

I think the problem is in the Createx Black paint.  Body has been soaking for a little while and all the black stripped off with ease. All other colors (different brand) as well as primer stayed adhered.  So the learning curve begins......... :-)

[unclescott58]

I see few reasons to experiment with paint anymore. Since switching to hobby lacquers, mainly Tamiya, I've had little to no problems with painting models. It may not be the cheapest way to go. Then again, with as little stripping of paint as I've had to do since switching to lacquer, it may be the cheapest way to go.

[restoman]

Well, if you're going to consider it a practice body, maybe try cutting the acrylic with something other than Future and give it another go.

I've been a real life painter for over 30 years and love to play around with paint, finding out what will work and what won't. I've got a BSc in Benchtop Chemistry.

But like Scott says above, a lot of times it pays to go with what is known to work, especially if you don't like to redo something. Bare bodies are ok to experiment on, but any time I'm spraying something with some bodywork or something time consuming, I use what I know will work.

[fseva]

Or, you could simply dump the "craft" acrylics, which are made for... wait for it... "crafts"! Not plastic models. If you want to stay with acrylics (because of the lack of odor and toxicity), I would recommend a brand that is made just for airbrushing... and that would be... Aztek Airbrushables. (You could save the craft acrylics and use them on interiors only - that's what I do - just remember that they are very touchy. So, don't plan on experimenting with embossing powder or flocking - the liquid glue you'll need to use will really mess up your craft acrylics).

Edited November 14, 2015 by fseva

[StevenGuthmiller]

just remember that they are very touchy. So, don't plan on experimenting with embossing powder or flocking - the liquid glue you'll need to use will really mess up your craft acrylics).

Another reason that I landed on lacquer & stuck with it.

You have much better options with detailing later.

There are just too many things that can go wrong with something as fragile as an acrylic craft paint.

I use craft paints a lot for detailing. Why? because it's easy to remove. A trait I don't want in my paint jobs.

Anything that can be removed with a little water & some rubbing is not a good candidate for a body paint IMO.

At the very least I would stick with something a little more durable in the acrylic world than craft acrylics.

Testors has an entire line of acrylics designed for modeling.

Probably better off to start there. Or with Aztec as Frank suggested.

 

Steve