Paint compatability Q.

[Koala]

I've had advice that I can use Gunze acrylic clear coat over Humbrol enamels, prior to decaling. I've wrecked months of work before with incompatible paints, and don't want the same sort of disaster again. Can anyone reassure me that I'm not going to trash my current build by using acrylic clear over enamel paint?

 

Many thanks in advance.

[LSP_Kevin]

You'll be fine mate. Just ensure that the underlying enamel has fully cured before applying the acrylic clear coat. The general rule of thumb for painting order goes something like this: lacquer, enamel, acrylic. It's not set in stone, and I've applied enamel clear coats over acrylic camo paint before, but I wouldn't put lacquers over anything but other lacquers.

 

Kev

[oletcherfred]

Koala, Kevin's advice is quite sound.

 

Is that model the only piece of material in your studio?

 

How about preparing a test piece that you don't mind wasting and try whatever combinations strike your fancy?

 

I do that all the time whenever any material(lacquers and frisk are two examples that come to mind) that I use around etching is changed by the manufacturer due to "new regulations." Even new labels on a can of paint worry me anymore; might be a new formulation.

 

As Kevin mentions, make sure whatever you're coating over is well-cured.

 

IMHO, enamel well-cured will stand most anything. That's why it's hard to strip...

[Koala]

Thanks Kev and Fred. That helps.

[LSP_Matt]

Thats sage advice from both Kev and Fred.

 

I had a diobolical reaction with a Humbrol enamel that I sprayed with acrylic clear/thinned with Tamiya Lacquer thinners. I've also tried to strip paint with brake fluid and its almost killed the plastic.

 

urgh...I gotta get some Future...it seems so much simpler using that stuff.

 

Cheers Matty

[LSP_Kevin]

urgh...I gotta get some Future...it seems so much simpler using that stuff.

 

I does seem to be if you can get the genuine article. The so-called equivalents we have here are not the same thing at all, and behave quite differently. They've got ammonia in them for a start...

 

Kev

[oletcherfred]

Hmmmm...

 

The Future we have here in the US doesn't seem to have ammonia in it, but ammonia IS used for removng it. Done it - it's in the instructions on the back of the label(if you can read it through the bottle and liquid Future).

 

I have used Future as a non-wet/non-stick on my etching machine plexiglass doors(supposed to be clear...uh, huh). After a while it gets "cloudy," no doubt from exposure to the etchant drying. Removes with ammonia and a certain amouint of elbow grease(available in most homes' stores).