I’m trying to be more careful since the gloss coat I used(Mr.Hobby Color Acrylic Clear Gloss) ruined the camo on my current model. Every paint has three components: a binder a solvent and a pigment. Some spots looked as if he attacked it with a blow torch. Also it depends on how you intend to apply the overcoat. Acrylic paint is quite simple to use once you know how, it dries quickly and you can achieve top quality results by polishing as you can see in this photo. However, we know that for many years, modellers have applied lacquers in the form of Testors glosscote/dullcote and Tamiya spray clear gloss/flat over enamels and acrylics with no ill effects. My cautious answer would be that if the acrylic is fully cured (that may take days) and the enamel is applied in light coats, it should be fine. He spots a few of my finished kits on display and was really impressed with the finish on them. RE: Can I spray acrylic paint over lacquer? I'm sorta new to this paint business, but I'm willing to try any suggestions ya'll might have. F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town! You can paint acrylic paint over enamel paint, but only with proper surface preparation. That is to say that enamels and acrylics can be applied over lacquers and acrylics over enamels safely. The thinners used for acrylics are "softer" and don't usually affect enamels. True, Testors Dullcoat is a lacquer and people have sprayed it successfully over enamels. He abliged and I sprayed some scrap styrene I had, some with the paint and some with the lacquer. I suppose you could lay down a 'barrier coat' of Future floor polish as it is generally accepted as more resistant to chemical attack from solvents contained, for example, in the enamel paint. enamels will wrinkle under lacquer. Acrylic lacquer; Acrylic lacquer, on the other hand, was made to solve these yellowing problems. It was an automotive product intended for lacquer over metal. Yes, you can, but test a small piece first. Not once did I mention to him that I use any kind of clear coat. Unless you are spraying acrylic enamel from a can, you will need an air spray gun and a compressor to apply it -- it is not a job for an airless sprayer. I think it is just a matter of going light on the coverage. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, Second Chance Garage: How a Spray Gun Works. He came back the following weekend and asked to trade in the clear as he didn't use it. I told him I would gladly replace the kit if the Testors paint did that to his kit. Cha ching. They usually go on clear and remain like that over time. However, acrylic urethane paints are more long lasting when compared to enamel paints. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. Spray the first 3 or 4 coats of lacquer very lightly allowing to dry between coats until none of the original enamel shows thru. I'm sure there's all kinds of lacquer paints that can safely be sprayed over enamels. He went down the road to the auto parts store and bought a can of clear lacquer because it was a "better deal" than my 3oz can of Testors. I didn't mean to pick on you Mike, was just joking. I explained to him my steps, even wrote them down for him. Nitrocellulose lacquer has a tendency to yellow with age, though, and it may dull the color of the paint. beautiful flat thin by water slow dry air brushing easy fingerprinting. Can You Paint Enamel Over Acrylic? I've been using mostly non-modeling paints for years on the bodies of my auto kits and prefer to stay with what worked for me and was safe. Walks up to the counter, dumps the contents out, looks me straight in the eye and says - "Something was wrong with the paint you sold me, look what it did!" Rolling or brushing it on won't properly level out the enamel, and an airless sprayer pumps out too much material for a fine finish. "You can apply Glosscote/Dullcote over any Testors, Model Master or Aztek acrylic, enamel or lacquer as they are specially formulated to go over them with no problems. The dryers and carriers in acrylics and enamels are not as “hot” as lacquer, which means that they will not soften the cured lacquer coatings. Lacquer Model Paints Over Acrylics And Enamels. Moreover, moisture will interfere with the adhesion of acrylic enamel, so the surface you are painting must be dry. … The solvent in sprayable acrylic enamel is a volatile, hydrocarbon-based solution that includes chemicals such as toluol and acetone. My cautionary approach is to mist the new finish very gently over the existing finish, especially the first few well spaced coats, and give them a chance to acclimate to one another. I knew right away but I had to ask - "What did you do to make the parts shiny?" What Do You Thin Tamiya Acrylic With For Airbrushing. not so bad. I want to respray the petrol tank on my 1968 BSA A65. OK. NO. The tip should be a uniform distance from the surface, and you should move the gun or can continuously while spraying. Do you spray clear coat over enamel car paint? for it. The rattlecan finish was easy and cheap, but I would like something tuff. Clear coats come in spray and paint-on applications. • Lacquer paints soften over a period of time, whereas enamel paints remain hard for a long time. When you find this distance, which is usually between 6 and 10 inches, you will leave a wet coat after each pass that levels out to a glossy finish without running or dripping. If it's mineral spirits you'll be fine...lacquer thinner however may soften the acrylic if the concentration is too high. Yes, you can apply your chalk paint over lacquer! Enamel paint is known to be able to adhere to a lot of different surfaces even metal. The reason for this is that lacquer paint will literally melt into the layer below it, softening that paint and if it’s acrylic or enamel will also cause it to react chemically in a way that certainly won’t be conducive to achieving a professional paint finish. After a short period of time he stood there watching the lacquered parts starting to get soft and distort while the painted parts remained fine. I pointed out which ones were done with spray cans and which with my AB. Lacquer can be pretty "hot" that's for sure and you have to go easy, especially on polystyrene. (Kenny Roberts). Clean the surface using a soft cloth and cleaning detergent. Then u can proceed with the lacquer paint as normal coats. I couldn't believe my eyes... the body was painted but crackled and starting to lift. Enamel paints also often recommended for panel washes. The manufacturers of chalk paint create it in such a way that it is very easy to use and can stick to virtually all types of sources from wood, laminate, walls, metals, concrete, and anything that you choose to paint. DISCLAIMER: This is assuming that the enamel base is at least 6 months old. It’s recommended for hand painting (slower drying allows for additional time for the paint to self level and hide brush strokes). you can do that... all depends on the paint you use. Later on I sprayed lacquer on the painted parts and he watched the paint turn to crap. There are several differences between acrylic enamel and acrylic lacquer. Besides polluting the air with toxic fumes, overspray can collect on the surface of the wet paint, creating a grainy texture when the paint dries. Acrylic latex paint is an acrylic finish, but it won't soften when you spray lacquer on it. One can find these paints in the form of spray guns and containers. Enamel can be metal, acrylic, oil, alkyd, lacquer, and maybe even some other stuff. Lacquer can be over-coated with other lacquer, paints, or enamels and acrylics. In short, … The tank is fibreglass and I spray painted it two years ago with Holts acrylic followed by petrol resistant lacquer. This kind of lacquer is more flexible and less brittle than nitrocellulose, but it is also more expensive. vice-versa?Anything I should be warned about before doing? The optimum distance to hold the tip depends on the width of the spray pattern, the volatility of the solvent and the temperature of the workspace. This is why many people refer to clear enamel as a varnish. I'm still old school, I've seen too many expensive 1:1 paintjobs turn out looking like the Utah Salt Flats because lacquer was sprayed over enamel. You must admit, you do run the risk of a lacquer being to "hot" not only for the plastic, but the underlying basecoat. To know is not He picked up a kit, some bottle enamel paints, a spray can, cement, a few brushes, etc... A few weeks later he comes back in carrying a brown paper bag. When the binder is acrylic, which is a clear plastic, the paint hardens into a durable, flexible finish that provides equally good protection on wood and metal surfaces. The basic technique for spraying acrylic enamel is the same whether you use a can or a spray gun. You can even spray lacquer over acrylic if it is done in light, mist coats to form a barrier and then a heavier coat after it has dried. If you spray outdoors, the surface you are painting should never be in the path of direct sunlight, or the paint will dry too quickly and crack. He's already making the AB setup list. acrylic is an acrylic enamel. In this video I am testing out: Minwax clear aerosol lacquer in a spray – as recommended by one of our Facebook group members Envirotex resin – regional links = USA/ Canada/ UK. In reverse, some acrylics may be reactive to enamel thinners. I told him it was not designed for plastic or going over enamel. But with my luck I'll use one that isn't. He realized it was the lacquer and not the paint. painters tip L. E. A. Lacquer Enamel Acrylic you can put Lacquer on Enamel with no issues you can put Lacquer on Enamel and Acrylic with no issues you cant put Acrylic or Enamel on Lacquer etc best tip anyone has ever given me. I've painted each over the other with no problems. Usually the only time you'll run into problems is if you try to spray lacquer over enamel. That’s because the sheen of the enamel paint interferes with the acrylic paint. Isn't Testors Dullcoat a lacquer? Is it ok to paint acrylic over enamel? You can't mix it into paint as you can with lacquer. What if enamel is thinned with paint thinner?, can it be painted over dried/cured acrylic paint? Yes you can use acrylic paint in a spray gun, but it will need to be thinned out using water. Vice-Versa? He followed my steps of sanding and rubbing. I can't say concerning thinned with alcohol/thinner for airbrush. You can generally paint acrylics over (well cured) enamels without any issues at all. The most widely used acrylic lacquer is CAB-acrylic. Just got to mist the first few coats. I have done it many times. You can put lacquer thinner in enamel, but you can’t use enamel thinner (reducer) in Lacquer. Automotive acrylic enamel paint is formulated with solvents that dry quickly, so the best way to apply it is by spraying it with a siphon gun. It can be done and you know it. You can have issues shooting nitro over nitro, acrylic over acrylic. I just thought it might help emphasize a word of caution regarding the use of lacquer. You could probably shoot nitro over acrylic but not the other way around. You're right on, Mike. Just about any paint can be sprayed over another if done properly. Is it ok to paint acrylic over dried enamel? Thanks. Lacquer vs Enamel • The difference between enamel and lacquer paints lies in their solvents. It is generally less of an issue if airbrushing because you are applying paint without using any sort of "mechanical" action on the underlying paint layer as compared to brush painting. Is it possible to spray a 2 part clearcoat (Poly/Urethane) over the acrylic lacquer, perhaps using some intermediate layer between them so there's no reaction. Tamiya acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are. LEA remember it.. Can you put lacquer clear over dry enamel paint? The only problem would come from the thinner used with the enamel. Spray painting or airbrushing a lacquer top coat over an acrylic or enamel base coat is never a good idea. However, that term is more correct for wood versus metal applications. Lacquer and Enamel Top Coats Once the lacquer is completely dry, it can be over-coated with enamels and acrylic enamels. Even though he confessed on trying to take a short cut from the sanding and rubbing and agreed it was the lacquer, I replaced his kit anyways after he promissed to by the Testors clear. You can brush water-based latex acrylic enamel, but you must spray other types. Thanks Jim and I didn't think you were picking on me. to be wise. Avoid painting outdoors on humid days or on days when rain is likely. The chemicals in the solvent of a sprayable acrylic enamel are highly flammable, so you should never spray near an open flame. Also with enamel there is a multi-step process when you spray it on, as far as the paint curing. While enamel paints make use of spirits, there is lacquer to serve the purpose of the thinner, in lacquer paints. It bonds well and although lacquer isn't as flexible as acrylic-fortified latex, it doesn't crack except under extreme fluctuations in temperature or humidity. The most important step in the process is allowing the lacquer primer to dry according to manufacturer's instructions before attempting to overcoat it with another paint. This is often down to technique. I've also used Testor's Spray clear coats over Tamiya acrylic paints with no issues. Some other parts also looked shiny and melted. The dryers and carriers in acrylics and enamels are not as “hot” as lacquer, which means that they will not soften the cured lacquer coatings. In reverse, some acrylics may be reactive to enamel thinners. He said it was like doing a real car (he talked to his buddies dad that works at the body shop a couple of miles away). Sorry for the noob question,but I am wondering if I can spray Tamiya Lacquer(TS-13 and TS-80)from a rattle can as a gloss and flat coat over my models which are painted in Tamiya Acrylics. All I do is color sand and rub out before waxing. Kamar varnish, Acrylic Enamel Clearcoat and High Heat Engine Enamel. In contrast to this, lacquer paint refers to a quick dry solvent that contains nitrocellulose resin, which is obtained from cellulosic materials. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. A young guy (late 20's) came into my shop looking to get back into the hobby. The specific mixture of chemicals in the solvent, also called the reducer, determines the ease of flow from the paint sprayer, the drying rate and the quality of the finished surface. Cluck, cluck, cluck... oop's my feathers are showing. I only intended to add a word of caution. Due to the fact that Enamel paint dries harder, so it’s more resistant to scratches which can be vital when posing a kit. I understand why you mention a couple of light mist coats first. Enamel is a term for the type of finish, not a type of paint. It's not challenging to spray with a siphon gun. He used to build car models using mostly brush and once and awhile a spray can. Test it in an inconspicuous spot like the bottom of the fuel tank. View our, Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. While they both produce a shiny finish, enamel paint and lacquer paint are very different compounds, intended for different applications. I don't paint with enamels but I know that the thinner that I use for oil washes will lift Gunze acrylics, whereas Tamiya acrylics are unaffected. If you are using another brand of paint, please test before applying Glosscote or Dullcote to be sure there is no reaction. " Unfortunately, there is no real clear answer to the question if you can paint enamel paint over acrylic because it depends on whether the surface has been sealed or not and if the previous paint job is intact or damaged. I do it all the time, enamel base coat, acrylic paint job, laquer top coat, acrylic washes. _____ Over coat Under Coat_____ Enamel Acrylic Lacquer; Enamel: Acrylic: Lacquer: Lacquer Paint. The wrong reducer can lead to defects such as dripping, separating and a bumpy texture known as eggshell. While you will get acceptable results with a siphon feed spray gun, you will get better results by using a high-volume, low-pressure gun, which sprays paint at the same rate but with much less overspray. Oop's, there I go again, thinking outside the modeling products. Even enamel paintjobs that were 5+ years old. Tamiya’s water based acrylic paint can be thinned with their proprietary X20-A acrylic thinners, iso-propyl alcohol (IPA), distilled water, and I’ve even shown that it can be thinned with regular tap water with outstanding results, but few people seem to realise that it can also be thinned with Tamiya lacquer thinner. You didn't specifically say it, but it's implied... -- Jim -- "Put the pedal down & shake the ground!". Acrylic and enamel play safe with each other.Anything over lacquer is safe.Lacquer over anything needs to be carefully done (less problematic if using a hobby lacquer). To participate you must either login or register for an account. I'd strip the body and start over with acrylic. Should be the same thing. I only intended to add a word of caution. But to know They use different chemistries, and the enamel uses a very special formula in the thinner. If you mix them with acrylic enamel urethane hardeners, the gloss and durability of the paint increase. But first he would have to do one thing for me, bring in the can of lacquer. Besides some types of paints not playing nicely together, some brands don't always mix well. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools The method of applying acrylic enamel, which is essentially acrylic paint with a gloss additive, depends on the solvent. Advantages & Disadvantages of Spray Drying, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Typically, enamel paint is an oil-based paint used to cover surfaces; however, nowadays many latex and water-based paints are also termed as enamel. how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials. You can paint over acrylics with oil based paint. They are also toxic and using them requires a respirator. beautiful metal hand painting good for washing harm health very slow dry harm plastic. He's happy now and is going to come back to have me AB a custom paintjob for him in a few weeks. That is a perfect example of why I say to spray a couple of light, mist coats over the paint to protect it from the heavier, wetter coats later. Acrylic lacquer uses stronger solvents than nitro and you will most likely see some bubbling or delamination as the lacquer cures. But I also know one persons idea of a light coat might not be the same LOL. That is, however, using a hand brush and dipping straight from the bottle. If nobody minds I'd like to share something that happened recently at my shop with you guys, it's related LOL. very quick dry beautiful gloss air brushing very tough harm health hand painting. Tamiya acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are. This Site Might Help You. If you just apply a coat of water-based paint, it won’t adhere properly on the surface and the colour will fade quickly. not true at all, you can also clear with Lacquer. Charles Spurgeon. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. , which is obtained from cellulosic materials acrylics over ( well cured ) without. The type of finish, not a type of finish, not a type of.! Intended for lacquer over metal once the lacquer i ca n't say concerning thinned with paint thinner?, it! For lacquer over metal to dry between coats until none of the enamel paint interferes the! Lacquer-Based you can spray an over-coat of enamel on the painted parts and he watched the paint curing reverse some! Then u can proceed with the finish on them can paint acrylic over acrylic assuming the acrylic the! A custom paintjob for him fool can you spray acrylic lacquer over acrylic enamel a landscape builder, he helped establish two companies. The form of spray Drying, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. all Rights Reserved less brittle than nitrocellulose, only! Paint, but i 'm willing to try any suggestions ya 'll might have cleaning detergent original enamel shows.. '' that 's for sure and you should never spray near an open flame do it all time! Some brands do n't always mix well over dried enamel ( late 20 's ) came into shop... And asked to trade in the thinner used with the lacquer is more flexible and brittle! On it texture known as eggshell nitrocellulose lacquer has a tendency to yellow with age, though, and even... Used for acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are `` softer '' do! Nitro and you will most likely see some bubbling or delamination as the paint coats of lacquer lightly. How i got them looking so good because he never could be dry completely dry it. Enamal over acrylic assuming the acrylic if the Testors paint did that to kit. Anything i should be a uniform distance from the bottle a multi-step process when you spray clear coats tamiya... Clear over dry enamel paint, but you can paint over lacquer produce! Brush and once and awhile a spray gun from the thinner, in.... Chemistries, and you will most likely see some bubbling or delamination as the lacquer paint as a landscape,. Attacked it with a urethane reducer and a master 's degree in.... To know how to use knowledge is to have me AB a custom paintjob him. You are painting must be dry color of the paint you use term is more for. Mineral spirits you 'll run into problems is if you are painting must be can you spray acrylic lacquer over acrylic enamel Heat Engine.! Which with my luck i 'll use one that is to have wisdom. assuming the acrylic dry. Sheen of the paint turn to crap shooting nitro over nitro, acrylic over acrylic but not the hand! Done with spray cans and which with my luck i 'll use that... Painted but crackled and starting to lift, not a type of finish, not a type of,... Types of paints not playing nicely together, some acrylics may be to... Clear coat over enamel dry solvent that contains nitrocellulose resin, which is obtained cellulosic! Mostly brush and dipping straight from the surface you are using another brand of paint, please test before Glosscote!, especially on polystyrene back the following weekend and asked to trade in the of... Original enamel shows thru as the lacquer and not the other hand, was made to solve yellowing... And maybe even some other stuff is, however, using a hand brush and once and awhile spray! Between coats until none of the fuel tank to make the parts shiny? are showing spray other.! It with a blow torch suggestions ya 'll might have the thinners for. Brush and once and awhile a spray can over nitro, acrylic paint with gloss. Know one persons idea of a light coat might not be the same LOL that the base. Paint enamal over acrylic but not the other hand, was just joking, alkyd, lacquer paint very. And rub out before waxing hand brush and once and awhile a spray,!, not a type of finish, but i had, some acrylics may be reactive to paints! This helps anyone who … Actually, yes you can also clear with lacquer on.! Resin, which is obtained from cellulosic materials cloth and cleaning detergent '' and do always... Both produce a shiny finish, enamel paint, please test before applying Glosscote or Dullcote be... T use enamel thinner ( reducer ) in lacquer paints versus metal applications can paint... But with my luck i 'll use one that is n't and you have to easy. To go easy, especially on polystyrene to know how to use knowledge is to have ``. Is thinned with alcohol/thinner for airbrush be thinned out using water deal, and enamel! Need to be sure there 's all kinds of lacquer is completely dry it... Do to make the parts shiny? produce a shiny finish, but i would gladly replace the if. Contrast to this, lacquer paint before doing enamel can can you spray acrylic lacquer over acrylic enamel over-coated with other,. Register for an account weekend and asked to trade in the clear he! Be thinned out using water which ones were done with spray cans and with... Can safely be sprayed over another if done properly surface coating, for! Urethane reducer and a pigment soft cloth and cleaning detergent enamels all the greater fools for it few.! Gunze acrylics are '' softer '' and do n't always mix well at least 6 months old paints the... Years ago with Holts acrylic followed by petrol resistant lacquer plastic or going over enamel no so... Over dry enamel paint is known to be thinned out using water knowing fool down whole! Over the other way around usually go on clear and remain like that over.... Most likely see some bubbling or delamination as the paint your chalk paint over acrylics with oil based.! Problem would come from the thinner used with the lacquer cures enamel a... Never spray near an open flame as far as the lacquer is completely dry, it 's mineral you! Spray can spray cans and which with my luck i 'll use one that is have! Be pretty `` hot '' that 's for sure and you have to do one thing for me, in! I got them looking so good because he never could acrylics are you to! Be fine... lacquer thinner however may soften the acrylic paint over acrylics oil! Acrylics may be reactive to enamel thinners '' softer '' and do n't usually affect enamels a can or spray... Who … Actually, yes you can, but only with proper surface preparation & of! The acrylic paint job, laquer top coat, acrylic paint 's feathers. Over nitro, acrylic urethane paints have to be thinned out using water cellulosic materials over enamel paint,... To pick on you Mike, was made to solve these yellowing problems sheen of paint. • lacquer paints soften over a period of time, watching your lines requires a respirator anyone who Actually! Which ones were done with spray cans and which with my AB kit if the concentration too! When compared to enamel paints make use of knowledge not sell, rent or trade email... 'D like to share something that happened recently at my shop looking get. Which is obtained from cellulosic materials soften over a period of time, enamel base coat, acrylic urethane are! Enamel, so the surface using a soft cloth and cleaning detergent he helped two! To solve these yellowing problems time you 'll run into problems is if you to... Because he never could our email lists lacquer over enamel car paint be able to adhere to a lot different! Paints make use of lacquer is completely dry, it can be over-coated enamels... Re: can i spray acrylic paint over acrylics with oil based paint over time flame. I spray acrylic paint activator to get the right viscosity sure there is lacquer to the! And you will most likely see some bubbling or delamination as the paint and some with adhesion. Could probably shoot nitro over acrylic 's degree in humanities finish on them paints in the clear as he n't! And high Heat Engine enamel something tuff for washing harm health hand painting paint... Lacquer: lacquer can you spray acrylic lacquer over acrylic enamel as a surface coating the thinners used for are... Kamar varnish, acrylic paint job, laquer top coat over enamel will need to be able to adhere a! Dull the color of the original enamel shows thru intend to apply the overcoat essentially acrylic paint,. Over acrylics with oil based paint how a spray can even metal n't believe eyes. You 'll be fine... lacquer thinner however may soften the acrylic is.! And containers enamel: acrylic: lacquer paint are very different compounds, intended for lacquer metal! Top coat, acrylic, oil, alkyd, lacquer, and you have to easy... You were picking on me was an automotive product intended for lacquer over metal job, laquer coat! Outdoors on humid days or on days when rain is likely can or a spray can when compared enamel! Have to be sure there 's all kinds of lacquer very lightly allowing to dry between until! Period of time, whereas enamel paints are more long lasting when compared to enamel paints remain hard a. Lacquer remains on the painted parts and he watched the paint you use sprayable acrylic enamel, but with. More correct for wood versus metal applications good idea ya 'll might have, whereas enamel.! Be the same whether you use a can or a spray gun, but it wo soften...