Is it enamel over acrylic, or vice versa?

[Jon Cole]

I am doing some detail painting, and I have many different bottle paints. I used to have mostly MM enamel, but now I have almost as many bottles of acrylic model paint.

Is there any prob using acrylic over enamel, or... enamel over acrylic? Not only reaction, but adhesion and coverage. This is in reference to brushing.

Thanks.

[Modelmartin]

Whenever possible, try to use the sype of paints together. Acrylic w/ acrylic, enamel w/ enamel, lacquer w/ lacquer. The thinners used for each type are different and can (and will) adversely react6 with each other. The main difference between the 3 is the potency (hotness) of the thinner. Acrylic would be "coolest" enamel in the middle of the scale, then lacquer aas the hotest, therefore enamel will destroy acrylic and lacquer will destroy either if put over them. If necessary you can put acrylic OVER anything as the thinner is weak.

One trick: pick up a cheap can of Lacquer thinner at the hardware store, and use it to thin any type of paint for airbrushing. Being that you use the same thinner for each paint then they are all compatible.

I think most model enamels are mild enough that they can be lightly brushed over acrylic paint. I wouldn't try more than just some light detail painting that way.

I don't believe lacquer thinner in acrylic will work real well. I have seen it coagulate the paint. Use isopropyl alcohol(rubbing alcohol) for thinning acrylics. It's cheap and you can buy it at any pharmacy or retail store( Target, Wal-mart, Wag's, CVS, etc.) Lacquer thinner in enamel airbrushed on a model works beautifully. I have done that a few times.

[Aaronw]

I thought once the paint was cured acrylics were pretty bullet proof. When weathering armor it is common to use oil paints over acrylics, and acrylic artist paints over enamel since they are different so the thinner used during the weathering process doesn't strip off the base color.

[randx0]

I think if you are just detail painting you shouldn't have any problems unless you try to go over really fresh paint. it is just when you are spraying that it becomes a problem . I have had problems brushing tamiya paints over enamels.

[Jon Cole]

Thanks for the imput!

[Tommy Kortman]

The body man that used to paint our race cars taught me somthing as an eay way to remember the order.

LEA (like the princess)

L = Lacquer

E = Enamel

A = Acrylic

[BigGary]

Something that was missed here is the substantial difference between acrylics and enamels and lacquers. Acrylic is essentially a water-based, and lacquers and enamels are oil-based. When dry, acrylics are usually resistant to lacquers and enamels. You'll have bigger problems putting lacquer and enamel over each other. I've used acylic primer under enamel with no problem.

Gary