Hardener for acrylics?

[Monty]

I noticed that MCW paints offers a hardener to go along with their line of enamel paints and I've seen some YouTube videos of builds that utilized them together with outstanding results.  IMNSHO, there's no need for a clearcoat as the resultant finish looks like freshly polished paint.  

This made me wonder if anybody offered a hardener that could be added to acrylic paints.  I've heard (don't know for sure) that acrylic finishes aren't tough as enamels or lacquers so I'd like to improve on that if possible.  

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've never used it, as I rely on smelly old-school solvent-based finishing materials.

I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ACRYLIC PAINTS FOR HOBBY USE  (OTHER THAN ARTISTS' COLORS)

HOWEVER...this company manufactures a line of acrylic paints for leather, and ALSO offers two hardener additives for enhancing adhesion to hard plastics and increasing film toughness.

I have no idea if they'll work in whatever acrylic paint you're using, but they're not very expensive, so some experimentation might get you what you need...or not.

https://angelusdirect.com/products/gac-200?srsltid=AfmBOooCnYg9JaWbADqBDMVScF1Ld1SZSlc3oGzoC6KWWIiOw2oaNX-o&variant=4842818693

https://angelusdirect.com/products/angelus-2-hard-film-hardener?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=e5c5d9e52&pr_rec_pid=5528926725&pr_ref_pid=1575865733&pr_seq=uniform&variant=17396484549

 

Edited yesterday at 12:28 PM by Ace-Garageguy

[mcs1056]

WTHIIMNSHO?

Is typing really that hard?

[Mike 1017]

2 hours ago, mcs1056 said:

WTHIIMNSHO?

Is typing really that hard?

IN MY NOT SO HUMBLE OPOINION, WTH Is a GOOGLE search so hard?

[ColonelKrypton]

23 minutes ago, Mike 1017 said:

WTH Is a GOOGLE search so hard?

No it isn't.

Nor is it so hard to communicate without resorting to ceaseless streams of short forms, abbreviations, popular slang and single syllable grunts which have the opposite effect by making it more difficult to communicate clearly and easily.

 

 

[Monty]

2 hours ago, ColonelKrypton said:

No it isn't.

Nor is it so hard to communicate without resorting to ceaseless streams of short forms, abbreviations, popular slang and single syllable grunts which have the opposite effect by making it more difficult to communicate clearly and easily.

 

 

A thousand apologies.  Didn’t realize you were still using a printing press and mailing in your replies there, Gutenberg.  (pro tip: upgrade to Quick-dry ink and vellum.
When you’re done scrutinizing grad school theses, ask your grandkids about this thing called the internet.  I’ll warn you, it’s a bit different from your daily viewings of Matlock.

 

[Beans]

All acronym griping and run-on sentence creating aside;

Back the original question.

I also am no expert on the topic and can only go by a very limited experience.  Createx has an additive (4030 balancing clear) that is supposed to, among other things, increase the durability of their paint.  Much like a hardener. 

I haven't tested it but I've used it.  Haven't tried it with glossy or candy paint (which they also state it is a carrier for).  

[johnyrotten]

The createx 4030 is a great product, I've used it with regular cheap craft paints to aid in durability, along with their thinners. It seems, in my limited experience, to work well. It's an intercoat, and a carrier for their candy colors. I've also used the 4011 and 4021 thinners with vallejo and similar hobby acrylics, no issues, but that's a bit off topic.

[Dave G.]

Yes 4030 will seriously improve hardness and adhesion of waterborne acrylic paint. Just 10-15% or so added to your mix will help it kick to a hard finish. I have not conducted tests with 4030 for alcohol based acrylic paints though, like Tamiya. 4050 is interesting too, though thicker than 4030. 4050 also adds UV protection to the properties of 4030. These are Createx products, they convert acrylic paints to PolyAcrylic. Either can be used as carrier for the Candy2o system as well.

FWIW, Stynylrez primer is also a PolyAcrylic primer. It's ability to stick to hard plastic is phenomenal. And a natural to use under acrylic paints.