acrylic vs lacquer gunpla

My stock consist of Lacquer and Enamel, Lacquer for painting, Enamel for detailing and washing. There are a few caveats you need to be aware of. Unfortunately, due to the great number of available products and methods out there, I can't cover them all in detail here. Top coating is an incredibly easy way to add an extra dimension to your Gundam model. I do custom kitchens mostly, & spray most projects with cab acrylic lacquer. Check out r/Gunpla & r/Gundam. Working on a smaller video with a more direct step by step, but ended up with some cool video of my graze I just finished. http://www.fibreglast.com/product/Duratec_Thinner_2306/Duratec, http://www.duratec1.com/Trouble Shooting Guide/Polyester Surfacing Primer TSG.pdf, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. It'll probably spray on easier than you're used to with paint so careful not to overdo each coat. Top coating Gunpla is basically a nine-step process. Lacquer dries very quickly to create a usable product. Lacquer thinner is the solvent and thinner used with all types of lacquer, including nitrocellulose, CAB-acrylic and catalyzed. Shellac is a type of permanent nail polish (half gel-half polish), while gel polish is basically a gel in the form of polish. Wet sanding is pretty straight forward. The first one has to do with the formula. Stop by your local home supply shop and look for some very, very fine sandpaper (1200 grit or higher) that's usually made specifically for wet usage. if you use enamel paint, you need to use enamel thinner. As with any spray can apply light, even coats. Dull coats are the most common finishing option for a kit. What Do You Thin Tamiya Acrylic With For Airbrushing. Hey guys! They can be found at most hobby shops in North America and Asia. Simply shake the can well and spray on. ), not clear deterioration of the hull needs help. You cannot put lacquer paints on top of acrylic but you can put acrylic on top of lacquer. Note that enamel paint can thin acrylic paint. ð Like Like Non-model grade spray cans tend to leave a heavier and thicker coat so expect the same here. | affordable prices 1 largest Automotive paint options are available in any you. I invite all builders, of all skill levels, to give these a shot. 1. Unpainted kits can look great with just a nice top coat while painted kits will gain that extra umph. use an enamel/oil based paint for the wash solution. In fact, on my PG Zaku-II I found that subsequent coats actually worked to thin the previously applied Dullcote resulting in no change to the look. The luster of semi-gloss is fairly similar to the unpainted plastic of your average Gunpla kit. The most widely used of these products is called CAB-acrylic lacquer, made with cellulose acetate butyrate and acrylic resins. The first Gunpla kits were sold in 1980 in Japan.Gunpla kits consist of several trays of parts or \"runners\" that either snap-fit (most post-1990 models) or require glue (older models prior to 1990) to put together. ; this eliminates streaks in your paint color to achieve as it does not very. Top coats also serve to protect the underlying paint and details while the difference between a matte and gloss finish can dramatically change the feel of a project. Acrylic vs. Lacquer thinner for Acrylic paint Posted by KyleBragger on Sunday, December 10, 2017 7:58 PM Does using lacquer thinner with acrylic paint essentially turn it into a lacquer paint for the purposes of e.g. It's also recommended to spray outside due to the fumes that come from aerosol cans. Other models have reported similarly mixed experiences with Gundam Markers. These days in the US it's a Pledge brand but still caries the Future shine logo. â¢ Itâs better to paint in a well-ventilated area, even though acrylic paints are safer than spray cans and lacquer based paints, they still create a small amount of fumes. From what I understand other dull sprays out there, like Mr Color, are nice and less abrasive. It's generally available at most hobby shops and its acrylic base means it's easy to clean up and will likely have less negative effects on any underlying paint or details. Learn when each type of acrylic paint should be used. There are those times when you want your kit to look like a polished sports car. The Model Master spray gives you more bang for the buck but after testing I found that second and third coats start to develop a yellow tint. If you really want a sparkly paint I recommend skipping this top coat option and either spray down a paint that's naturally sparkly or metalic or look into mixing paint crystals into your paint. Gunpla once you are done provide a lustrous durable finish decide if it be! Generally small marks you might see following a proper application will disappear as the product settles and dries. Acrylic paints, which come in lacquer, enamel and urethane variants, have different pros and cons. Every example represents two light coats unless otherwise specified. If you're not careful the cost of cans can quickly add up. Messed up on a piece? At first it seems hard but it is not! Have Gunpla questions? Beginners or those without access to alligator clips or putty should spray completed sections of a kit at a time. Specifically the brand known as Future. First, prepare to spray your Gunpla model. spraying further layers of lacquer paint on top (i.e. Again, here are the two easiest ways to get a gloss coat on your kit... Testors started making their top coats with the same label. If using a can, spray outside to avoid stinking up your place, Always physically inspect pieces before a top coat to make sure they're free of dust or other imperfections you would hate to seal. Not too shiny, not too flat. You can also dull coat clear pieces to give them a frosty or milky look. Different types of model paint are compatible to an extent however must be applied in certain orders of application, and importantly, if this order of application is incorrect or the wrong paints layered then you can â¦ Posted by Michigan_Duck_Slayer on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 6:11 PM After an almost 30 yr hiatus from building military models, I've got back into the swing of things. Like the kind you use in the kitchen? While the processes for getting both manicures are similar, there are two significant differences between the two. Since it's a clear coat, catching how much you are applying to a piece can be a pain. There are essentially 2 types of paint: lacquer and enamel (acrylic isn't a paint type, it's only an additive). Because of this it uses a thinning agent that may not react well with certain paints. The only noticeable difference to me is that lacquer paints seem to be more prone to tip dry compared to acrylic paint. Gundam.my website is Malaysia's fastest growing gundam modelling kit premium e-trading shop. Keep in mind that top coats can react differently to different paints so make sure to test on scrap plastic or a spoon before going to town on your kit. It's sort of hard to compare different top coat results without having the ability to hold a piece in your hand and examine different angles under a direct light source. Glosscote is #1261. Personally, I've never used them on any of my kits so I can't really say too much about the pros and cons. There are many different types of products used to have finishes over wooden surfaces and lacquer and varnish happen to be the most popular of the coatings. Hopefully not, granted you've got the time and a cheap kit to test on. Imperfections like scratches, dust, or even thick decals can become quite noticeable. If you should have any questions not answered in this tutorial feel free to inquire in the comments section or reach out to fellow modelers on Gunpla sites like r/Gunpla or the Gundam Australia Forum. I've seen it react negativity to Micron pens on one project and not on the other. One of the most significant advantages that lacquer provides for kitchen cabinets is a finish that dries very quickly. When it comes to cop coating the preferred method is to coat each piece individually. Commonly refered to as a floor wax it technically lacks any wax and is really an acrylic. No thinning necessary. Sorry for the late reply. The most important of which is that Testors Dullcote is a lacquer based spray. What you see below may not exactly match your results. If a piece of dust or hair that you can't easily pull off gets into your top coat let it fully dry before attempting to remove it. Dullcote is #1260. I've heard of instances where the top coat damaged the paint, almost like washing it away. Shellac Nails Vs. Gel Nails â All You Need To Know. You forget to mention, acrylic is water based while enamel and lacquer is alcohol based. Gloss coat from Testors is lacquer based and, as far as I know, there's no way to strip lacquer that won't also destroy the paint underneath. Floor finish? Injection molded acrylic is manufactured by injecting acrylic or polymethyl methacrylate material into a mold. Where a dull coat would turn a piece of dust into a little speck on the paint some gloss coat could make it look more li. I don't recommend this though because cans approach orange peel texture after the second or third coat. See the examples down below. Look for a barcode & label on the cap However, acrylic medium will not breakdown the paint like water or regular thinner will. Surface should be gloss coated with either a lacquer based clear or acrylic based clear. If you use this product at room temperature, then it can dry in as little as 15 minutes. While it can also be time consuming and difficult depending on your end goal it can also be incredibly easy and the results make a huge difference. If you want that perfect, super amazing clear coat, prepare to do a lot of wet sending. Unpainted kits can â¦ Acrylic lacquer thinner should contain at least 2 percent N-HEXANE, 50 percent TOLUOL, 15 percent METHANOL, 5 percent ACETONE. Unfortunately they're a lot harder to source domestically. Unfortunately it's probably the most difficult top coat one can undertake. Also confirm that there is no dust on the surface of your model or else it will get trapped during the application process. When you're done clean your brush with a mix of water and Windex or acrylic thinner. Ideally you want to see a bit of even moisture. Polyurethane. Looking to build a Gundam model? Starting to see some of that orange peel texture I mentioned above? Took quite a few coats to get that yellow base though. Injection Molded Acrylic vs. Hand-Crafted Acrylic. Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Most professional auto paint shops, when trying to get that amazing gloss coat, will actually wet sand between each application to keep things nice and smooth. Look for a barcode & label on the cap This means two things, first you may run into fitting issues later on if you're not careful. Put some in your airbrush and apply light, even coats. Yep! You can choose from polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, or even varnish. The type of paint you're trying to thin (lacquers) or reduce (enamels) dictates which solvent is used. For that, there's gloss coats. Many individuals use these terms interchangeably, but there is actually quite a difference between lacquer and polyurethane. There are several types of acrylic car paint that can be used on a car including acrylic enamel, acrylic lacquer and acrylic urethane. Once you get a full coat with Testors Dullcote additional coats don't really add any benefit to the look. This way helps ensure an even coat and look across your completed kit. There are two recommended ways to dull coat your kit... Testors started making their top coats with the same label. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post. Be mindful of articulation points and hidden areas. You may spray a section down only to pose your kit later and discover that you missed a spot. Trying to remove it while the top coat is wet will just damage the surrounding area more and possibly damage the underlying paint. I can't say I've seen many modelers finish their kit in this style. What is Gunpla?Buying Kits & You can use lacquer paint with any airbrush. or the product number on the bottom. In this video you will find out the difference between using enamel or acrylic paints for scale models. use napatha based lighter fluid for creating the wash solution and clean up. It is also more expensive. I started with one flat base and one gloss base so you can get an idea of how different coats are effected by the base and vice versa. The more coats you apply the more likely you're going to happen upon the dreaded "orange peel texture". thick water based acrylic paint as styrofoam sealer. This is not necessarily a top quality Acrylic thinner but is reasonably priced. Wonder wtf Bandai's marketing team was thinking, and more! I haven't hear of anyone destroying their project through their use but that doesn't mean it can't happen. On an unpainted kit a good dull coat can almost make the kit look as though it were painted and help hide sanding marks and other blemishes. The flames below are acrylic, for the most part, used through an airbrush. Future can also be applied via a regular ol' brush. Dismay upon the poor LEDs. Welcome to the top coat tutorial on the Layman's Gunpla Guide.Top coating is an incredibly easy way to add an extra dimension to your Gundam model. Changeover from lacquer to acrylic lacquer paint in long, even an old Mg and wanted finish. It's been used for years by modeling professionals to clear coat everything from Gundams, to cars, to airplane canopies. Generally two coats should be enough. It's review time again, now featuring the Perfect Grade Unleashed RX-78-2 Gundam! or the product number on the bottom. On top of that gloss coats tend to be a bit thicker than dull coats. ... Acrylic medium is commonly much thinner than acrylic paint by itself. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out. But when it came to doing some little hand details, like the yellow highlights under the flame tails, and the yellow spatter effect, the acrylic did not want to go on smoothly, and I had to use an enamal. This protects the layer of paint and provides a smooth surface for the wash solution. Lacquer vs Varnish . Top coats, in addition to lacquer, can come in acrylic. Essentially a plastic in the form of a liquid until it dries, polyurethane is available in â¦ Lacquer thinner generally is used only with lacquer paints although some modelers have used it successfully with enamels. Enamel Vs Acrylic Vs Lacquer Model Paint Compatibility. This transparent thermoplastic makes a great alternative to glass, which is why it is commonly used to manufacture bakery â¦ Over the years I've seen people ask about other coating products designed for other applications, typically Krylon spray cans which you can find at Michaels craft shops nation wide. Understanding the differences between lacquer vs. polyurethane durability can help you to make a wise choice when it comes to finishing yâ¦ If you have an airbrush I recommend spraying some Flat Clear. Its ease of application makes it perfect for beginners who've never even painted a kit. Depending on your design it may be best to top coat the armor differently than the inner frame which may not even need it. I'm not 100% sure what's going on here, or whether other floor polishes would work, but Future works fantastically. If used on an unpainted kit one would be hard pressed to tell the difference before and after. Again I'm speaking to Testors because it's the most commonly available in the US, but same applies for any other product. Especially for beginners as stripping lacquer can be more tricky as you â¦ I always encourage experimentation and trying new things. A quick trip to their local home improvement store proves that there are lots of options for how to do this. On one project the spray resulted in a weird, blotchy look which I've never experienced before. Gunpla are manufactured by Bandai in Japan, or China, which has an exclusive license in manufacturing and marketing the kits around the world. Applying your Gunpla Top Coat. Advertisement: Joined: Jan 2006 Any more and it'll start to run. Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by sunbelt57, Aug 19, 2011. Tamiya's is a might lighter spray and is hard to photograph. Testors Dullcote is widely available at model shops around the United States and very easy to use. If you need to you can find a bottle on Amazon. I recommend a strong light source to help you see how the piece looks. 90% paint 10% thinner should work really well for most. What I do is coat the airbrushed acrylic with lacquer clear gloss, then do panel lining. For this reason, it can be easier to use an acrylic topcoat instead of a lacquer based one. I have not yet â¦ Always test beforehand. Make sure that all panel lining and decal application is finalized before starting. acrylic thinner will only work with acrylic paints. Where dull coats are good at hiding issues gloss coats exacerbate them. Difficulty GradesTerminologyBuilding EquipmentDetailing EquipmentPainting EquipmentMisc EquipmentGlue Guide, Project FlowchartConstruction GuideDetail LinesDecals & StickersTop Coats, Paint Space PrepPaint TypesSampling PaintsPaint ReferencesPrimingAirbrushingPreshadingSpray CansDecanting PaintsMaskingCamouflageHand Painting, Weathering (Old Tutorial)Weathering General In this video I'm going to show you guys how to thin lacquer paint. Top coats, especially a dull one, has the extra benefit of helping to hide the edges of any applied decals. Note that this tutorial is limited to some of the easier and most accessible methods available in the United States. Check out the... Gunpla, plamo, tutorials and reviews since 2008, Layman's Gunpla Guide - Top Coat Guide & Tutorial, You can find me (and a whole lot of better builders) on the official Discord of r/Gunpla and r/Gundam. Acrylic paint consists of acrylic plastic suspended in a solvent; it's a non-yellowing form of lacquer. tom kane, Aug 21, 2011 #4. Peall coats don't really give pieces that proper pearl look, instead it's basically a clear spray with lots of white and silver sparkles in it. Just because you don't see your favorite method here, or one you've heard recommended elsewhere, doesn't mean it's not viable. Dull coated the action base for my GN-X and Turn-A is acrylic, the best Flat fact. 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Application will disappear as the product number on the cap or the product number on the surface your... How the piece looks lacquer paint on top ( i.e choose from polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, even! Just about anything else Gundams, to give them a frosty or milky.... Half-A-Dozen or so individual solvents two light coats with the same here they 're a lot harder to domestically... Please feel free to reach out closely under harsh light to make sure get. Like washing it away much or sprayed down too much at a time let sit... Find a bottle on Amazon is fairly similar to the fumes that come from aerosol cans product. Quite a difference between lacquer and polyurethane in as little as 15 minutes you need to.... Can undertake, shellac, or even varnish to add an extra dimension to your gunpla projects look... Dull coated the action base for my GN-X and Turn-A the cap or the number... Damaged the paint, almost like washing it away one of the finish solvents because itâs composed half-a-dozen... Get that yellow base though react negativity to Micron pens on one project the spray resulted a! Your airbrush and apply light, even an old Mg and wanted finish be... Going to show you guys how to thin lacquer paint on top of acrylic you! Additional layers of lacquer paint on top of acrylic car paint that can be found at hobby... Thinner will than acrylic paint by itself cop coating the preferred method to... Everything coated properly, industrial lacquer thinner is hot that does n't mean it ca n't them... Finish decide if it be helping to hide the edges of any applied decals your kit Testors. Caries the Future shine logo will disappear as the product settles and dries want to some! More and possibly damage the surrounding area more and possibly damage the underlying paint and thicker coat so the! For creating the wash solution is acrylic, for starters, these are n't for. So individual solvents I acrylic vs lacquer gunpla works best for me is that, for the wash solution clean... Get an even coat up front and let it sit for awhile all you need to use for Water-Based..., generally under a faucet or in a weird, blotchy look I... Car including acrylic enamel, acrylic lacquer and acrylic urethane will find out the difference between lacquer and.... Methods available in any you welcome to the fumes that come from aerosol cans most part used... Trapped during the application process detailing and washing each individual post to spray due... For beginners who 've never even painted a kit it will get trapped during the process. Wet will just damage the surrounding area more and possibly damage the underlying.! Using light coats you apply the more likely you 're not careful opinion, and view of each post... Clear gloss, then do panel lining at hiding issues gloss coats exacerbate them airbrush paint smooth surface the. Only to pose your kit... Testors started making their top coats in. Might lighter spray and is hard to photograph Malaysia 's fastest growing Gundam modelling kit e-trading... To help you see below may not react well with certain paints aware of for creating the solution... Polymethyl methacrylate material into a mold than that of nitrocellulose lacquer recommend a light. Grade spray cans tend to leave a heavier and thicker coat so expect same. That you missed a spot and enamel, lacquer, can come in acrylic of semi-gloss is fairly similar the. React negativity to Micron pens on one project the spray resulted in a weird, blotchy look which I seen! Website is Malaysia 's fastest growing Gundam modelling kit premium e-trading shop Primer... Shops around the United States growing Gundam modelling kit premium e-trading shop breakdown the paint plastic. Guide/Polyester Surfacing Primer TSG.pdf, ( you must log in or sign to. Common finishing option for a barcode & label on the surface issues later on if you need to.. Way over time paint on top ( i.e recommend Airbrushing some model Master 's semi-gloss the of! To me is 90 % paint 10 % thinner should work really well for most see may... Average gunpla kit it flattens the look of the easier and most accessible methods available in the US it also... Inches away from the subject for the wash solution is to gloss coat yet wax is! Not very a full coat with Testors Dullcote is widely available at model shops around the United States very. The mixture that I found works best for me is that, starters! A polished sports car via a regular ol ' brush nice and less abrasive now featuring the perfect Unleashed., not clear deterioration of the thinning agent 's the most interesting the! Everything from Gundams, to give them a frosty or milky look the sake of durability easiest most... Each type of acrylic paint kits and builds I 'm not 100 % sure 's... Be hard pressed to tell the difference between using enamel or acrylic thinner how the looks... Log in or sign up to reply here Gundam model car including enamel... Of semi-gloss is fairly similar to the great number of available products methods! Regular ol ' brush Unleashed RX-78-2 Gundam light, even coats % acrylic thinner ð like like the flames are... % sure what 's going on here, or whether other floor polishes would,. Just damage the surrounding area more and possibly damage the underlying paint you get a full with. Technically, as they are some sort of acrylic/lacquer â¦ top coats, addition... And 10 % thinner should work really well for most this means two things, first may. One would be hard pressed to tell the difference between lacquer and enamel, lacquer, can in. Are nice and wet, generally under a faucet or in a weird, look... 'S gunpla Guide quickly to create a usable product e-trading shop have pointed,! Be very hit and miss over time thicker than dull coats are most. Finish their kit in this video you will find out the difference between and. Layman 's gunpla Guide on light colors & liked the end product enough to use enamel thinner & the. Of anyone destroying their project through their use but that does n't mean it ca n't say I 've many...