Long story short:
2 weeks ago - airbrushed undecorated passenger cars with 2 coats of silver enamel paint (thinned with enamel thinner)
1 week ago - Masked passenger cars and airbrushed 1 coat of black enamel paint (thinned with enamel thinner). Ran out of paint, had to order more.
Today - Paint arrived, thinned paint with enamel thinner, had a tough time getting the consistency. Was able to airbrush 2 more coats of black onto the masked areas. Peeled off masking tape. Looks great.
Noticed an area needed a touchup with black paint and saw it said ACRYLIC.
I know it's a bad idea to thin acrylic with enamel thinner as acrylics are water based and enamels are oil based.
Here's my question. What can I expect to happen? Will everything be ok because the airbrush was pulling acrylic paint since the thinner is lighter and would remain on the surface of the jar? Should I expect to see cracking or peeling soon?
I plan to put 2 layers oh high gloss enamel paint on next so I can apply decals which I plan on doing on another week or so. Starting over is not much of an option in this case. I just need to know if I need to do some damage control and what should be done.
Good news is best, but I need the truth too. Thanks for your input!
The N scale section of my website is now uploaded with a lot of various things. Check it out: www.CarlettaTrains.com
Three words: Don't do it! The enamel thinner will coagulate the acrylic paint, which will 1) lead to a bad paint job, and 2) make for a messy cleanup of your clogged airbrush.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
If acrylic is thined with mineral spirits (enamel thinner) it's toast; no recovering it. Been there, done that, hopefully will not do it again!
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
tstageThree words: Don't do it!
I think he already did it and is wondering what to expect to happen on the model.
Sorry, man... grit your teeth and strip the models.You'll have to eventually; waiting will only make it worse.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
Kinda like painting your models with curdled milk.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
maxman I think he already did it and is wondering what to expect to happen on the model.
I was wondering if that was the case. I re-read the post several times but could interpret it either way.
Sounds to me as if it's already been done, but I'm curious as to the brand of paint, as it could make a difference.
Wayne
As Wayne stated...the brand of paint You were using is important, because there are Acrylic Enamels, Acrylic Lacquers and Acrylic Urethane variants, the latter three are not water base and thinners may be used. Acrylic water base....Denatured Alcohol can be used as a thinner with no adverse affects. If the paint when thinned, did not mix immediately, then You would have a problem. Point being...not all Acrylic's are water base.
Good Luck!
Frank
The brand I used was Model Masters. And to clear things up, it already happened.
If I remember correctly Model Masters is acrylic enamel
Catt If I remember correctly Model Masters is acrylic enamel
Now to answer the question, if it was going to die, that should have already happened. Acids are the only thing or acids in things to have a continued effect long after applied, even sometimes when you try to nutralize.
Kisnap,
Keep this link that I will provide in Your favorites, for future reference. When You get to site...scroll down a little and it will discuss the model paints that are in question and a handy chart to show, what paints will mix with other paints...Enamel, Acrylic,Lacquer.... a lot of great info:
http://otakurevolution.com/content/laymans-gunpla-guide-paint-types
Take Care!
yeah but...
What I was hoping someone would explain is how his mixture of water based paint and oil based thinner was able to be sprayed through the airbrush into a coat of paint on the model that was smooth enough that he didn't notice the mistake until rereading the labels.
This is contrary to everything I've been taught about paint in the last 50 years.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Hi All,
The paint job still looks great and I heard from others who said as long as the paint went on that it will be OK once any enamel thinner evaporates.
I have a theory as to why the paint went on. My guess is that the acrylic paint, being heavier than the enamel thinner, sank to the bottom. Since the straw for the airbrush jar going into the paint went to the bottom, it was able to pull up mostly undilited acrylic paint which the enamel thinner stayed at the top.