The Little World

The business of spray can and bottle was covered in a previous post. Now it’s the turn of the choice of alcohol/water acrylics and acrylic lacquers.

Like a lot of people who remembered enamels, I commenced my latter-day modelling with alcohol/water acrylics. A well-known brand that starts with ” T “. The paints worked well, until they started to get sludgy and separated badly. I learned to combat stops and starts and tip-dry.

Then I discovered acrylic lacquers from a rival Japanese firm and loved the way they mixed and sprayed. I resolved to replace all the alcohol/water acrylics with the new stuff. Then I discovered that the chemical action of acrylic lacquers could be problematical; later layers could disturb the first coats. Results might vary depending upon the strength of the thinners and the amount of time they took to dry.

The real problem came when it came time to brush lacquers over lacquers. More often than not I’d dissolve part of the undercoat. Washes were impossible.

So I’ve decide that I was precipitate in rejecting the first lot. I’m going to restock with the colours that will be overcoats; leather covers for seats, insignia colours, anti-glare panels, tyres, etc. If I need to brush it on, I’ll brush it with alcohol/water acrylic.

Still not goin’ back to enamels…