So...talk to me about doing two-tone paintjobs with aqueous acrylics

[Monty]

I normally don't deviate much from using Testors and Humbrol enamels, but some time ago I came across some Gunze-Sangyo water-based acrylics at a hobby shop and I was impressed with the selection of colors they offered, including some we might consider off-beat. Upon taking them home and trying them out, I found that they sprayed nicely and I had no orange peel to deal with afterwards.

Here's where my question comes in: Recently I read a discussion about aqueous acrylics on here, and it sounds like it's not just a matter of letting the paint dry, then masking and shooting the next color. One poster, who I assume knows what he's talking about, said you need to "set" the paint with a hair dryer so the masking wouldn't pull up the previous coat of paint. Is that true? IIRC, the discussion was about WalMart aqueous crafts paints. Can we assume the same rules apply to Tamiya & Testors acrylics?

It wouldn't be a big deal except that Gunze pulled these aqueous paints from the US market a couple years ago, so I don't have much margin for do-overs.

Long story short (too late, I know) what all steps do I need to follow to mask and shoot a two tone paint job using these water-based paints?

[CadillacPat]

Yeah Monty, I'm the guy you are referring to.

Those cheap craft paints, i.e., AppleBarrel, FolkArt, Joann, cheap Createx, etc. are actually used by people to paint T-shirts and are set with an iron.

Better, much better acrylics, such as Hobby brands may cure differently but why take a chance.

Use the same steps you take for a multi layered two-tone acrylic job as using any other type of paint.

Proper Body Prep, Adhesion Promoter for plastics, proper easy release tapes, proper spraying techniques, proper mixing, all come into play.

13 years ago I went straight from removing paint from Aerosol cans for my AirBrush, to using nothing but House Of Kolor.

I've never liked using any kind of Acrylics or waterbased paint.

CadillacPat

[Guest G Holding]

Auto Air. These folks started the WB custom paint years back. As Pat doesn't speak of anything but HOK solvent paints, I might suggest to get the Auto Air DVD. I have had mine 4 or 5 years, but what I have learned from that DVD is priceless if you want to be current, and shoot WB with its low VOCs. yes I love and shoot HOK as the stuff is the best SOLVENT paint around. WB needs a heat gun to flash the paint...or a special booth with extra fans for increased airflow. And you shoot it at HIGH pressure (50-60 psi) PPG is teaching WB paint to all the Pros and the stuff really works well. Cheap hobby store acrylics are different than high grade artists figure paint types. Many people learn to use all these mediums. All the different WB paints work different from lacquers or enamels, which are the most popular choice for us.

[jamesG]

apple barrel and folk art paints can be used on wood, ceramics, metal, even glass not just t shirts. If you intend to wash the object you are painting yes you do need to set the paint heat set is best but you can also air set by waiting 21 days before sealing.