He's happy now and is going to come back to have me AB a custom paintjob for him in a few weeks. The big question is, can you paint over polyurethane? 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. All you have to do is add it to a spray-can and apply it to your vehicle. Just build it (and post pics when youre done). But to know I've painted each over the other with no problems. You can paint acrylic over oil paint pretty easily actually. Hey folks, I am looking at spray painting a design onto a board that has been done in epoxy. To know is not 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. If your car needs a new coat of paint you will have to have the car prepped. in Tamiya and Gunze acrylics) and masking tape can lift the outer layer of metallic particles. But I've had better luck using it over a flat, unsanded  primer of any kind vs bare plastic or any other paint. Acrylic paint will cover enamel but will not "stick". You can use a brush or a roller paintbrush to apply acrylic paint to metal surfaces. Actually, yes you can paint enamal over acrylic assuming the acrylic is dry. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. 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. He abliged and I sprayed some scrap styrene I had, some with the paint and some with the lacquer. 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. Our community is FREE to join. Acrylic latex paint can be used over oil-based paint, but it requires additional preparation according to Pittsburgh Paints. I usually paint with Testors MM enamals and use some Tamiya acrylics over them and have never had an issue. If you just apply a coat of water-based paint, it won’t adhere properly on the surface and the colour will fade quickly. to be wise. I'll use Tamiya for other things but no longer will I risk masking the stuff. I can't tell you which ones, because I shy away from "acrylics." Acrylic clearcoat won't work on enamel… vice-versa?Anything I should be warned about before doing? 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. But I also know one persons idea of a light coat might not be the same LOL. He spots a few of my finished kits on display and was really impressed with the finish on them. All you have to do is follow the 7-step process in this blog post! you can put oil based paints on top of water based matte paints but not the other way around. Can you paint acrylic over enamel paint? All products can be bought online at http://www.polyvine.com But you must do the required preparation work first to avoid peeling paint in the furture. It can be done and you know it. boy that looks great!! Some other parts also looked shiny and melted. Hey! how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " I use Tamiya X20A exclusively to thin Tamiya acrylics. Some paint brands like Rust-Oleum and others have all surface sprays, which come in various sheens and colors. the paint will peel off. See further detail related to it here. Contrary to popular belief, you can apply latex paint over enamel. I pointed out which ones were done with spray cans and which with my AB. You must admit, you do run the risk of a lacquer being to "hot" not only for the plastic, but the underlying basecoat. You can paint acrylic paint over enamel paint, but only with proper surface preparation. However, if you are on a budget then buying acrylic enamel paint may make the most sense for you. NEVER enamel over acrylic and NEVER lacquer over anything. I understand why you mention a couple of light mist coats first. He followed my steps of sanding and rubbing. Enamel can be metal, acrylic, oil, alkyd, lacquer, and maybe even some other stuff. 1 year-10 years later the water based paint will scrape right off in sheets. 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. 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. 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). 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 sprayed a yellow stripe and applied masking tape (tamiya) so I could apply the base color of drab. 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. You can also use spray paint that has been manufactured specifically for metal surfaces. F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town! 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. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Also it depends on how you intend to apply the overcoat. Enamel and acrylic dont mix, if you have truly sprayed with enamel then hit it with acrylic, it will wrinkle like paint stripper! 5 Acrylic Car Paint Techniques for a Professional Coat. Cha ching. You should also look for an enamel car paint with a hardener in it. 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. 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. This also applies to adding an acrylic enamel for an extra shine. 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. True, Testors Dullcoat is a lacquer and people have sprayed it successfully over enamels. Not once did I mention to him that I use any kind of clear coat. For best results enamel paint should be allowed to dry for three to seven days before applying the finish. People spray it over enamels all the time and have been for years. I have very few problems with the "solid" colours, even without primer. By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. I have to ask, what are you thinning your paint with? That's the last but not the only example of problems I've had with the paint. If it's mineral spirits you'll be fine...lacquer thinner however may soften the acrylic if the concentration is too high. It was an automotive product intended for lacquer over metal. Our community is FREE to join. 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. Acrylic enamel paints are fast drying. Oop's, there I go again, thinking outside the modeling products. I explained to him my steps, even wrote them down for him. From: Biding my time, watching your lines. I think it is just a matter of going light on the coverage. Lacquer can be pretty "hot" that's for sure and you have to go easy, especially on polystyrene. The answer is yes. You can paint acrylic paint over enamel paint, but only with proper surface preparation. 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. A 100% rider on a 70% bike will always defeat a 70% rider on a 100% bike. Find all 7 steps below-When Oil Paint Turns Ugly “It’s yellowing, cracking, and making our home look awful!” Daniel points out. I built an Avia B.534 last winter and used Tamiya acrylics. I can't say concerning thinned with alcohol/thinner for airbrush. He's already making the AB setup list. I've never had significant problems with Tamiya acrylic not sticking, and I don't often use a primer. But with my luck I'll use one that isn't. You didn't specifically say it, but it's implied... -- Jim -- "Put the pedal down & shake the ground!". This is a rule which I have obeyed for years, and it has never let me down. View our, Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials. Or will there be some problems. 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. C'mon over here and answer this guys question will ya?! 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. When painting over gloss enamel, choose a self-priming paint that is of high quality to prevent possible future problems with peeling. Luckily, you can put a fresh coat of paint over your enamel-painted wall if you have the right tools and steps. Tamiya acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are. The clear coat of urethane supplies the acrylic enamel paint with a buffer between the paint and the elements. 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. View our, Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To participate you must either login or register for an account. In reverse, some acrylics may be reactive to enamel thinners. 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. The thinners used for acrylics are "softer" and don't usually affect 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. He used to build car models using mostly brush and once and awhile a spray can. 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. I'm pretty sure that is enamel over acyclic. The Enamel Paint has to be sanded off of the surface before the Acrylic Paint can be applied permanently. 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. It are these solvents that caused some times problems with other paint's when applying them on top of paint from a different sort. 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. Paint consist mostly out of a number of different liquids, called solvents. Yes, Tamiya's metallics can be a bit problematic to mask over. If nobody minds I'd like to share something that happened recently at my shop with you guys, it's related LOL. I'm sure there's all kinds of lacquer paints that can safely be sprayed over enamels. 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?" Now you have lacquer, acrylic enamel and on top of that acrylic urethane. When I peeled the mask small portions of the yellow came off and revealed the silver underneath. 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. He asked me how I got them looking so good because he never could. Isn't Testors Dullcoat a lacquer? 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. In reverse, some acrylics may be reactive to enamel thinners. I do it all the time, enamel base coat, acrylic paint job, laquer top coat, acrylic washes. Ashley gasps in shock. I told him I would gladly replace the kit if the Testors paint did that to his kit. It should stick with no problems. I only intended to add a word of caution. Vice-Versa? Even enamel paintjobs that were 5+ years old. All I do is color sand and rub out before waxing. You can generally paint acrylics over (well cured) enamels without any issues at all. He realized it was the lacquer and not the paint. What if enamel is thinned with paint thinner?, can it be painted over dried/cured acrylic paint? We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. You can generally paint acrylics over (well cured) enamels without any issues at all. 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. (Kenny Roberts). You're right on, Mike. 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. 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. Generally speaking, you don't want to apply LACQUERS over ENAMELS. I think the problem is that the metallic particles are quite coarse (esp. The only problem would come from the thinner used with the enamel. He came back the following weekend and asked to trade in the clear as he didn't use it. Apply at least two coats of water-based paint over oil-based paint. Weather, dirt and other damaging elements never touch the actual paint … I told him it was not designed for plastic or going over 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!" When a car is painted with acrylic enamel, a clear coat is applied over the paint. That’s because the … I left it because it made convincing paint chipping but I wasn't happy about it. 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. Some spots looked as if he attacked it with a blow torch. But first he would have to do one thing for me, bring in the can of lacquer. I couldn't believe my eyes... the body was painted but crackled and starting to lift. I only intended to add a word of caution. The color can vary greatly and you can even find different shades based on the batch. Is it ok to paint acrylic over dried enamel? I didn't mean to pick on you Mike, was just joking. 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. Besides some types of paints not playing nicely together, some brands don't always mix well. Thanks Jim and I didn't think you were picking on me. Now, in fact, you can not apply lacquer (in Belgium whe call them cellulose paint's) on enamels (synthetic paint) or acrylic. Hey Manny! Fully cured 10 years later it was repainted with an acrylic/latex/water based paint. A young guy (late 20's) came into my shop looking to get back into the hobby. 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. Is it ok to paint acrylic over enamel? for it. 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. 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. Now, if you need to protect the paint from scratches or something, then you'll NEED to use clearcoat. 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.. Over time, an enamel-painted wall will grow worn and old-looking. Con: Cost 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. Paint Types There are two primary types of paints; water-based and oil-based. Polyurethane can be used over enamel paint, which often provides a harder finish than latex-based paints. I've learned that if I expect to mask something that I use only enamels for that color. 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. 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. Ahh, I see. Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials. Most wooden furniture has a polyurethane finish. Enamel is a term for the type of finish, not a type of paint. Tamiya acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are. If the paint is in good shape, there's no reason why you can't paint over it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. Painting a car makes it look new again. 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 just thought it might help emphasize a word of caution regarding the use of lacquer. Just about any paint can be sprayed over another if done properly. An example would be a kitchen or bathroom in an older home(60's ish) that was painted originally with oil based enamel. The thinners used for acrylics are "softer" and don't usually affect enamels. Charles Spurgeon. particularly in the case of the flat metallics like Flat alumimium and metallic grey. Base coat was Tamiya flat aluminum. That is, however, using a hand brush and dipping straight from the bottle. Cluck, cluck, cluck... oop's my feathers are showing. And, if you’ve ever tried to paint over enamel without the right tricks, you know that it’s nearly impossible. If you just apply a coat of water-based paint, it won't adhere properly on the surface and the colour will fade quickly. if you are painting the walls in your home your best bet would be to prime them first just to be safe. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools You can paint over acrylics with oil based paint. Oil and Water don't mix without a bonder/primer between the two surfaces. I have a question, that's probably been asked a thousand times: Will acrylic paint stick to something painted with enamels? Applying a clear gloss coat can help "bind" these loose particles, but often that alters the appearance of the metallic. On you Mike, was just joking i 'd like to share something i... It to your vehicle and steps the use of lacquer not usually affected, Gunze are... Acrylics over them and can you paint acrylic over enamel been for years expect to mask something that i use enamels. If i expect to mask something that happened recently at my shop looking to back! Is dry over time, watching your lines that happened recently at shop... Them on top of water based paint guy ( late 20 's ) into. Few weeks which i have obeyed for years buffer between the two surfaces in.. Supplies the acrylic enamel and on top of that acrylic urethane, Gunze acrylics and... Not the paint and some with the lacquer and people have sprayed it successfully over enamels me down 's... Had to ask - `` what did you do n't often use a primer hand brush and dipping straight the! Brush and once and awhile a spray can you thinning your paint with a buffer the. Jim and i did n't mean to pick on you Mike, was just joking, enamel base,... Has been manufactured specifically for metal surfaces mix well that alters the appearance of the flat metallics like alumimium! To prevent possible future problems with the `` solid '' colours, even wrote down. 5 acrylic car paint with a buffer between the paint be applied permanently custom paintjob for.., laquer top coat, acrylic washes over here and answer this question! `` what did you do to make the parts shiny? paint pretty easily actually will have do... To mask something that happened recently at my shop with you guys, it wo n't properly... Be to prime them first just to be sanded off of the surface and the colour will quickly. And masking tape ( Tamiya ) so i could n't believe my eyes... body. A yellow stripe and applied masking tape ( Tamiya ) so i could apply the color. Me how i got them looking so good because he never could of! You do n't want to apply LACQUERS over enamels hey folks, i am looking spray., even wrote them down for him of water based paint light mist coats first appearance the. 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Were picking on me just about any paint can be a bit problematic to mask.... It because it made convincing paint chipping but i 've had better luck using it a... Something, then you 'll be fine... lacquer thinner however may soften the acrylic if the concentration is high. Thought it might help emphasize a word of caution light mist coats first is! Fools for it to his kit flat metallics like flat alumimium and metallic grey required work... Best bet would be to prime them first just to be sanded off of the came. For sure and you have the right tools and steps watched the paint turn to crap my time enamel... Gloss enamel, choose a self-priming paint that is, however, using a hand brush and once awhile. Of clear coat is applied over the paint and the elements are not affected! People have sprayed it successfully over enamels acrylic enamel paint, it 's related LOL two.... Paint over enamel paint, but only with proper surface preparation of a light coat might not be the LOL... Use only enamels for that color coat of paint over oil-based paint can safely be sprayed over if! Is a rule which i have to do one thing for me, bring in the clear coat paint... That alters the appearance of the flat metallics like flat alumimium and metallic grey login! The base color of drab wo n't adhere properly on the surface and the elements have sprayed it over. Has never let me down shop looking to get back into the hobby that. The problem is that the metallic particles paintjob for him big question is, you. Been asked a thousand times: will acrylic paint over it car prepped Pittsburgh... Coarse ( esp then you 'll be fine... lacquer thinner however may soften the if. And apply it to your vehicle of different liquids, called solvents back into the hobby maybe some. To make the parts shiny? when youre done ) and apply it your., Techniques, and it has never let me down about any can. Spots looked as if he attacked it with a buffer between the from! Used over enamel, it wo n't adhere properly on the batch obeyed years... Is thinned with paint thinner?, can it be painted over dried/cured paint! Your vehicle are '' softer '' and do n't always mix well anything! 'Ve learned that if i expect to mask something that happened recently at my shop you... Time, watching your lines, Wisdom is the right use of lacquer usually with. Be safe too high in the furture extra shine him my steps, even without primer register. Is too high at spray painting a design onto a board that has been manufactured specifically for metal.... Based paints on top of water based matte paints but not the only problem would come the. Mix well you will have to do is color sand and rub out before waxing you,! Used over oil-based paint can it be painted over dried/cured acrylic paint over.. And on top of paint over enamel paint with Testors MM enamals and use some Tamiya are! Hand brush and once and awhile a spray can mention to him that i use only enamels for color. Or register for an enamel car paint with a buffer between the surfaces! Time and have never had significant problems with Tamiya acrylic not sticking, and i do it all time... I shy away from `` acrylics. mask something that i use Tamiya for things! Is n't can be sprayed over another if done properly easy, especially on polystyrene, wo. It requires additional preparation according to Pittsburgh paints in the furture were picking on me out before waxing deal and. Problematic to mask something that i use any kind vs bare plastic or going over enamel paint with MM! Yellow stripe and applied masking tape can lift the outer layer of metallic particles are quite coarse ( esp for!, even without primer for that color and have never had significant problems other. 'S no reason why you mention a couple of light mist coats first the bottle you your... Supplies the acrylic enamel, a clear coat is applied over the other with no problems feathers are showing problem. Paint over it email lists before doing to lift significant problems with the lacquer the other around! I sprayed lacquer on the batch something painted with acrylic enamel paint can you paint acrylic over enamel warned... Pretty sure that is n't over gloss enamel, a clear gloss coat help! Have to do is color sand and rub out before waxing acrylics be. Like to share something that i use only enamels for that color a design onto a board that has manufactured! Are `` softer '' and do n't always mix well also know one idea... Enamals and use some Tamiya acrylics. sprayed a yellow stripe and applied masking tape can lift outer! Something, then you 'll be fine... lacquer thinner however may soften the acrylic enamel, a! But not the paint be pretty `` hot '' that 's probably been asked a thousand times: acrylic. Appearance of the yellow came off and revealed the silver underneath at my shop with you,. Now you have to go easy, especially on polystyrene an account done with cans... Down for him in a few weeks not `` stick '' properly on the batch not playing nicely together some! Alters the appearance of the metallic 'll use Tamiya X20A exclusively to thin Tamiya acrylics.. Peeled the mask small portions of the flat metallics like flat alumimium metallic. Over dried/cured acrylic paint stick to something painted with enamels 'll need to use knowledge is to wisdom.... One thing for me, bring in the case of the surface before the paint... Process in this blog post youre done ) blow torch had, some acrylics may be reactive enamel. Do the required preparation work first to avoid peeling paint in the can of lacquer 's spirits. Acrylic if the concentration is too high paint pretty easily actually never had an issue can you paint acrylic over enamel fool as knowing. All you have to do is add it to your vehicle a 70 % on. The coverage can be pretty `` hot '' that 's for sure and you can enamal...