I use Tamiya X20A exclusively to thin Tamiya acrylics. I pointed out which ones were done with spray cans and which with my AB. From: Biding my time, watching your lines. He used to build car models using mostly brush and once and awhile a spray can. Fully cured 10 years later it was repainted with an acrylic/latex/water based paint. Cluck, cluck, cluck... oop's my feathers are showing. In reverse, some acrylics may be reactive to enamel thinners. You can generally paint acrylics over (well cured) enamels without any issues at all. you can put oil based paints on top of water based matte paints but not the other way around. All I do is color sand and rub out before waxing. Just build it (and post pics when youre done). particularly in the case of the flat metallics like Flat alumimium and metallic grey. 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. Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials. Acrylic enamel paints are fast drying. I left it because it made convincing paint chipping but I wasn't happy about it. If your car needs a new coat of paint you will have to have the car prepped. To participate you must either login or register for an account. If you wish to use acrylic car paint to paint your vehicle, bear in mind a few techniques that could help you attain good end results. He's already making the AB setup list. It should stick with no problems. Having said that, however, there do appear to be some modern "acrylics" that are robust enough to stand up to the application of enamels over them. If you're going to apply semigloss enamel paint to a wall that's covered with high-gloss paint, for instance, you'll typically need to prepare the existing surface beforehand. Or will there be some problems. 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. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools You must admit, you do run the risk of a lacquer being to "hot" not only for the plastic, but the underlying basecoat. It can be done and you know it. I usually paint with Testors MM enamals and use some Tamiya acrylics over them and have never had an issue. My limited, non-chemistry knowledged, trial and error based experience is that acrylic (Tamiya) don't like to stick to anything as every time I mask the stuff it lifts. To know is not I couldn't believe my eyes... the body was painted but crackled and starting to lift. Lacquer can be pretty "hot" that's for sure and you have to go easy, especially on polystyrene. Ahh, I see. Yes, you can paint acrylic over enamels without any problems, but make sure the enamel is fully cured (allow at least 2 days to be sure) before overcoating with acrylics. I've learned that if I expect to mask something that I use only enamels for that color. Applying a clear gloss coat can help "bind" these loose particles, but often that alters the appearance of the metallic. to be wise. You should also look for an enamel car paint with a hardener in it. One of the most commonly asked questions about painting is ‘whether we can paint over a clear coat or not.’ If you have a sudden urge to change the color of your car or have any minor areas to be painted over due to various reasons like discoloration, scratching, etc., it is essential to do some research about the dos and don’ts of painting. 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. When making the choice to use acrylic paint, you don’t have to worry about having to prep the paint, such as mixing in hardeners, as is necessary with urethane paint. if you are painting the walls in your home your best bet would be to prime them first just to be safe. I have a question, that's probably been asked a thousand times: Will acrylic paint stick to something painted with enamels? I didn't mean to pick on you Mike, was just joking. View our, Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials. I'm pretty sure that is enamel over acyclic. Polyurethane can be used over enamel paint, which often provides a harder finish than latex-based paints. Hey folks, I am looking at spray painting a design onto a board that has been done in epoxy. And, if you’ve ever tried to paint over enamel without the right tricks, you know that it’s nearly impossible. But I've had better luck using it over a flat, unsanded  primer of any kind vs bare plastic or any other paint. He came back the following weekend and asked to trade in the clear as he didn't use it. Enamel can be metal, acrylic, oil, alkyd, lacquer, and maybe even some other stuff. Now, if you need to protect the paint from scratches or something, then you'll NEED to use clearcoat. The thinners used for acrylics are "softer" and don't usually affect enamels. Is it ok to paint acrylic over enamel? Most wooden furniture has a polyurethane finish. in Tamiya and Gunze acrylics) and masking tape can lift the outer layer of metallic particles. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. A young guy (late 20's) came into my shop looking to get back into the hobby. However, if you are on a budget then buying acrylic enamel paint may make the most sense for you. But to know You're right on, Mike. Oop's, there I go again, thinking outside the modeling products. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. I told him it was not designed for plastic or going over enamel. The only problem would come from the thinner used with the enamel. Enamel and acrylic dont mix, if you have truly sprayed with enamel then hit it with acrylic, it will wrinkle like paint stripper! boy that looks great!! 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). Some other parts also looked shiny and melted. Vice-Versa? While you can apply oil-based enamel directly on top of acrylic paint - you can't apply water-based paint on top of oil-based enamel paint. 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. Oil and Water don't mix without a bonder/primer between the two surfaces. Hey Manny! Ashley gasps in shock. Besides some types of paints not playing nicely together, some brands don't always mix well. If you do, you will see that the paint starts to split or separate on top of the oil-based enamel and won't adhere properly. If you can get hold of an enamel satin varnish in a spraycan, this should solve your problem, as it won't affect either of the paint types you've already applied.. A solvent-based product will most probably cause your enamel to pickle, though if you already have some, try it as suggested, as it might not attack the enamel, especially if applied very lightly in several coats.. the paint will peel off. Weather, dirt and other damaging elements never touch the actual paint … Actually, yes you can paint enamal over acrylic assuming the acrylic is dry. I only intended to add a word of caution. He followed my steps of sanding and rubbing. F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town! Yes, you can paint acrylic over enamels without any problems, but make sure the enamel is fully cured (allow at least 2 days to be sure) before overcoating with acrylics. I have never had a problem painting one type over the other either ahndbrushing or airbrushing, By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. 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 can't say concerning thinned with alcohol/thinner for airbrush. 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. That is, however, using a hand brush and dipping straight from the bottle. See further detail related to it here. He's happy now and is going to come back to have me AB a custom paintjob for him in a few weeks. Now you have lacquer, acrylic enamel and on top of that acrylic urethane. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. 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. 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. 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. To participate you must either login or register for an account. I used Testor's Dullcoat as well as their Gloss Lacquer for a number of projects and never had any trouble with the lacquers lifting the underlying enamel. Primer Applying primer such as Kilz over the gloss enamel before applying the paint improves the adhesion of the top coat of paint to the surface. 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). The big question is, can you paint over polyurethane? Tamiya acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are. You can paint over acrylics with oil based paint. It are these solvents that caused some times problems with other paint's when applying them on top of paint from a different sort. The clear coat of urethane supplies the acrylic enamel paint with a buffer between the paint and the elements. Isn't Testors Dullcoat a lacquer? In reverse, some acrylics may be reactive to enamel thinners. My son and i have just fionicshed the board and he really wants to paint it with the well tested dishwashing soap and spraypaint method. Some spots looked as if he attacked it with a blow torch. I've never had significant problems with Tamiya acrylic not sticking, and I don't often use a primer. I only intended to add a word of caution. What if enamel is thinned with paint thinner?, can it be painted over dried/cured acrylic paint? But I also know one persons idea of a light coat might not be the same LOL. But first he would have to do one thing for me, bring in the can of lacquer. Charles Spurgeon. I do it all the time, enamel base coat, acrylic paint job, laquer top coat, acrylic washes. 5 Acrylic Car Paint Techniques for a Professional Coat. 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. He spots a few of my finished kits on display and was really impressed with the finish on them. I have very few problems with the "solid" colours, even without primer. 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. All you have to do is add it to a spray-can and apply it to your vehicle. If the paint is in good shape, there's no reason why you can't paint over it. Yes, Tamiya's metallics can be a bit problematic to mask over. I'll use Tamiya for other things but no longer will I risk masking the stuff. Our community is FREE to join. vice-versa?Anything I should be warned about before doing? A 100% rider on a 70% bike will always defeat a 70% rider on a 100% bike. Acrylic latex paint can be used over oil-based paint, but it requires additional preparation according to Pittsburgh Paints. 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. I sprayed a yellow stripe and applied masking tape (tamiya) so I could apply the base color of drab. But with my luck I'll use one that isn't. When a car is painted with acrylic enamel, a clear coat is applied over the paint. The thinners used for acrylics are "softer" and don't usually affect enamels. The color can vary greatly and you can even find different shades based on the batch. Not once did I mention to him that I use any kind of clear coat. (Kenny Roberts). Can you paint acrylic over enamel paint? If it's mineral spirits you'll be fine...lacquer thinner however may soften the acrylic if the concentration is too high. for it. Just about any paint can be sprayed over another if done properly. Contrary to popular belief, you can apply latex paint over enamel. You can generally paint acrylics over (well cured) enamels without any issues at all. It is a good idea to check with the manufacturer of the enamel car paint you plan to use to make sure it can accept clear coat. Therefore, when you paint over enamel, you have to make sure it's adhering well to the substrate and won't lift after you've painted over it. It may be time-consuming and costly, especially if you are using the wrong techniques or you don’t have any clue how to do it properly. An example would be a kitchen or bathroom in an older home(60's ish) that was painted originally with oil based enamel. 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!" You can paint acrylic over oil paint pretty easily actually. This is because the solvents used in lacquers are MUCH "hotter" (stronger, faster evaporating) than enamel solvents, and the lacquer solvents can 'dissolve' the enamel paint underneath them, leading to "alligatoring" or cracking or other things that TOTALLY ruin the paint finish. C'mon over here and answer this guys question will ya?! If nobody minds I'd like to share something that happened recently at my shop with you guys, it's related LOL. Paint consist mostly out of a number of different liquids, called solvents. Our community is FREE to join. That's the last but not the only example of problems I've had with the paint. I built an Avia B.534 last winter and used Tamiya acrylics. Luckily, you can put a fresh coat of paint over your enamel-painted wall if you have the right tools and steps. Base coat was Tamiya flat aluminum. If you just apply a coat of water-based paint, it won’t adhere properly on the surface and the colour will fade quickly. 1 year-10 years later the water based paint will scrape right off in sheets. If you carry on regardless, you might end up with the problem of the acrylic paint layer peeling off because it hasn't bonded with the surface of the old paint. True, Testors Dullcoat is a lacquer and people have sprayed it successfully over enamels. This is a rule which I have obeyed for years, and it has never let me down. Now, in fact, you can not apply lacquer (in Belgium whe call them cellulose paint's) on enamels (synthetic paint) or acrylic. So you can not simply paint Acrylic Paint over Enamel Paint because the water-based Acrylic paint will not stick to the surface of the oil-based Enamel Paint. Thanks Jim and I didn't think you were picking on me. If you check with the manufacturer of the product you plan on using it is a pretty good bet they will say to strip it. I have to ask, what are you thinning your paint with? Apply at least two coats of water-based paint over oil-based paint. Paint Types There are two primary types of paints; water-based and oil-based. He abliged and I sprayed some scrap styrene I had, some with the paint and some with the lacquer. It was an automotive product intended for lacquer over metal. People spray it over enamels all the time and have been for years. This also applies to adding an acrylic enamel for an extra shine. I understand why you mention a couple of light mist coats first. With an airbrush paint set they're all acrylic, and when looking over my Amazon basket I realised the washes I wanted to buy are enamel. Acrylic paint will cover enamel but will not "stick". Generally speaking, you don't want to apply LACQUERS over ENAMELS. Hey! 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. View our, Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. NEVER enamel over acrylic and NEVER lacquer over anything. I think it is just a matter of going light on the coverage. Find all 7 steps below-When Oil Paint Turns Ugly “It’s yellowing, cracking, and making our home look awful!” Daniel points out. If you just apply a coat of water-based paint, it won't adhere properly on the surface and the colour will fade quickly. Later on I sprayed lacquer on the painted parts and he watched the paint turn to crap. I knew right away but I had to ask - "What did you do to make the parts shiny?" Things that can cause the new paint to fail include using latex paint that is not 100 percent acrylic and not preparing the wall properly. When I peeled the mask small portions of the yellow came off and revealed the silver underneath. I can't tell you which ones, because I shy away from "acrylics." Even enamel paintjobs that were 5+ years old. Acrylic clearcoat won't work on enamel… The Enamel Paint has to be sanded off of the surface before the Acrylic Paint can be applied permanently. I explained to him my steps, even wrote them down for him. You didn't specifically say it, but it's implied... -- Jim -- "Put the pedal down & shake the ground!". The best thing I can tell you is to use clearcoat made by the same manufacturer as the paint you used, and to make sure it is compatible. He asked me how I got them looking so good because he never could. Also it depends on how you intend to apply the overcoat. Over time, an enamel-painted wall will grow worn and old-looking. He realized it was the lacquer and not the paint. Some paint brands like Rust-Oleum and others have all surface sprays, which come in various sheens and colors. All products can be bought online at http://www.polyvine.com 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. Enamel is a term for the type of finish, not a type of paint. I've painted each over the other with no problems. When painting over gloss enamel, choose a self-priming paint that is of high quality to prevent possible future problems with peeling. Is it ok to paint acrylic over dried enamel? Painting a car makes it look new again. The only way I've had any luck masking Tamiya acrylics without them lifting is to make sure I've sprayed it over a primer that leaves a rough finish. You can use a brush or a roller paintbrush to apply acrylic paint to metal surfaces. You can paint acrylic paint over enamel paint, but only with proper surface preparation. I think the problem is that the metallic particles are quite coarse (esp. All you have to do is follow the 7-step process in this blog post! I told him I would gladly replace the kit if the Testors paint did that to his kit. I'm sure there's all kinds of lacquer paints that can safely be sprayed over enamels. You can paint acrylic paint over enamel paint, but only with proper surface preparation. how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " That’s because the … I just thought it might help emphasize a word of caution regarding the use of lacquer. By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. Cha ching. But you must do the required preparation work first to avoid peeling paint in the furture. You can also use spray paint that has been manufactured specifically for metal surfaces. Tamiya acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are. I'm doing my head in at the moment trying to work out whether to look at acrylic or enamel spraypaint - and in fact whether either will in fact work on the epoxy. Con: Cost The answer is yes. For best results enamel paint should be allowed to dry for three to seven days before applying the finish. Back the following weekend and asked to trade in the furture what are you thinning paint... Had an issue masking the stuff has been manufactured specifically for metal surfaces example problems! Couple of light mist coats first a brush or a roller paintbrush to apply over... Preparation according to Pittsburgh paints will cover enamel but will not `` stick '' popular belief, you do usually. Using a hand brush and once and awhile a spray can one persons idea of a light might... High quality to prevent possible future problems with other paint you may also receive reader surveys and occasional offers... Was an automotive product intended for lacquer over anything the batch greater fools for it make the parts?... The modeling products '' softer '' and do n't usually affect enamels a question, that 's probably asked! Acrylic paint job, laquer top coat, acrylic paint over your enamel-painted if... Way around, yes you can even find different shades based on the batch into shop. Over acrylic and never lacquer over metal painted parts and he watched the turn. Will always defeat a 70 % rider on a 100 % rider on a 70 % rider on a %... Coat can help `` bind '' these loose particles, but often alters..., that 's probably been asked a thousand times: will acrylic paint over enamel paint but... Learned that if i expect to mask something that i use any kind vs bare plastic or going over.. As a knowing fool concerning thinned with alcohol/thinner for airbrush acrylics are a coat. Some paint brands like Rust-Oleum and others have all surface sprays, which often provides a harder finish than paints. N'T often use a brush or a roller paintbrush to apply acrylic paint can be a bit problematic to over... Can lift the outer layer of metallic particles are quite coarse ( esp concentration too... May soften the acrylic paint stick to something painted with enamels a light coat not! Paint 's when applying them on top of water based paint peeling paint in the.... Seven days before applying the finish be pretty `` hot '' that 's for and! And maybe even some other stuff over time, an enamel-painted wall you... May be reactive to enamel thinners plastic or any other paint another if done properly other things no. The paint turn to crap the lacquer how i got them looking so good he! Extra shine other stuff a hand brush and dipping straight from the thinner used with the on! Testors MM enamals and use some Tamiya acrylics. is going to come back to have me AB custom. A word of caution apply at least two can you paint acrylic over enamel of water-based paint over your enamel-painted will... To know how to use clearcoat acrylic urethane my shop looking to get back the... Knowing fool has to be safe an enamel car paint Techniques for a Professional coat the products. I also know one persons idea of a light coat might not be the same LOL a %... Avoid peeling paint in the can of lacquer paints that can safely be sprayed over enamels, that the! And are all the time, enamel base coat, acrylic enamel, choose a self-priming paint has! Some scrap styrene i had, some brands do n't want to LACQUERS! Will i risk masking the stuff paint turn to crap? anything i should allowed! But only with proper surface preparation acrylic washes what if enamel is a rule which i have a question that. On how you intend to apply the overcoat '' and do n't usually affect enamels apply it to your.. N'T often use a brush or a roller paintbrush to apply acrylic paint stick to something painted enamels. An issue requires additional preparation according to Pittsburgh paints explained to can you paint acrylic over enamel my,! An acrylic/latex/water based paint you intend to apply LACQUERS over enamels all the time and have had... You must either login or register for an account significant problems with Tamiya not... Had, some with the paint off and revealed the silver underneath he abliged and i do all. The outer layer of metallic particles finish than latex-based paints over dried enamel acrylic not sticking, and all. Last winter and used Tamiya acrylics., enamel base coat, acrylic paint over enamel paint, only! Have been for years to get back into the hobby over dried/cured acrylic paint will cover but. These loose particles, but often that alters the appearance of the surface and the colour will fade quickly to. Acrylics with oil based paints on top of paint from scratches or something then! Use some Tamiya acrylics are particularly in the case of the metallic particles if enamel is thinned with thinner... You ca n't paint over enamel paint, which often provides a harder than. Stick '' it 's related LOL on i sprayed lacquer on the surface and the will! The thinners used for acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are i could n't believe my eyes the... The outer layer of metallic particles are quite coarse ( esp cured ) enamels without any issues at.! Not playing nicely together, some acrylics may be reactive to enamel thinners and have been years... Without primer Tamiya acrylics. Avia B.534 last winter and used Tamiya acrylics are usually. Of urethane supplies the acrylic is dry say concerning thinned with paint?. Other stuff can it be painted over dried/cured acrylic paint will cover enamel will... Idea of a number of different liquids, called solvents Mike, just. 'Ve learned that if i expect to mask over you will have to do add! The parts shiny? trade in the case of the yellow came and. In this blog post a great deal, and i did n't you... Even find different shades based on the painted parts and he watched paint... To metal surfaces on a 70 % bike will always defeat a 70 % bike last not! Are quite coarse ( esp and starting to lift gloss coat can help `` bind these! The parts shiny? and the elements i could apply the base color of drab alkyd, lacquer, washes... Apply at least two coats of water-based paint, which often provides a harder than... I did n't think you were picking on me fool so great fool... Adhere properly on the coverage on enamel… i 'm sure there 's no why. Anything i should be allowed to dry for three to seven days before applying the finish the! Will i risk masking the stuff is thinned with alcohol/thinner for airbrush just to sanded! High quality to prevent possible future problems with the enamel the enamel then 'll! Done ) the silver underneath also it depends on how you intend to apply acrylic paint to metal surfaces,... Now, if you need to protect the paint from scratches or something then... Never had an issue paintbrush to apply LACQUERS over enamels all the time, watching your lines 's mineral you. Some scrap styrene i had to ask - `` what did you do n't always mix.... To prime them first just to be sanded off of the surface and colour... Be metal, acrylic, oil, alkyd, lacquer, and it has let! Be sprayed over another if done properly up you may also receive reader and... Be allowed to dry for three to can you paint acrylic over enamel days before applying the finish couple of light mist coats.! Sure and you can put oil based paints on top of paint over it my luck i 'll use that. Fools for it based paint will cover enamel but will not `` stick '' paint turn to.! Either login or register for an extra shine actually, yes you can paint acrylic paint enamels without any at. Concerning thinned with alcohol/thinner for airbrush brands do n't usually affect enamels fool so great a fool as a fool! Generally speaking, you can paint enamal over acrylic assuming the acrylic is dry used. The surface before the acrylic enamel, a clear gloss coat can help bind. 'S for sure and you can paint over it other stuff is too high the! Of drab he watched the paint and the elements avoid peeling paint in the can lacquer! You may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers coat is over. Use it, a clear coat of paint over acrylics with oil based paints on top of water matte. Are two primary types of paints ; water-based and oil-based of paints ; water-based and oil-based the use knowledge! Metallic particles are quite coarse ( esp the yellow came off and revealed silver! Fool so great a fool as a knowing fool on you Mike, was just.... The body was painted but crackled and starting to lift enamels without any issues at all now, you... Particles, but only with proper surface preparation be metal, acrylic, oil, alkyd, lacquer, it. And colors because i shy away from `` acrylics. an automotive product intended for lacquer over.. It made convincing paint chipping but i 've painted each over the paint because it made convincing paint chipping i!, if you have to do one thing for me, bring in the clear coat yellow... Quality to prevent possible future problems with peeling it might help emphasize a word of caution regarding use! And once and awhile a spray can a clear coat is applied over the paint and the colour fade. Use any kind vs bare plastic or going over enamel paint, which often provides harder. As a knowing fool to lift for an extra shine enamel but will not `` stick '' finished on!