About Enamel Paints??

[KitKat]

Hey guys, Long time no posting.

Well, I've got a bit of a strange project in the making and I need your help. My fiance is an avid collector of Transformers and one of his figures just started to flake off. Now usually I can repair, or touch up, any problems with my usual acrylic paints, but this particular figure is chromed. He went to the hobby store and bought some Model Master Enamel Paint to use. I've never used this paint before, how does it work? Will it work? Do I need to cut it with something? Can it be put on plastic? How long does it take to dry? Is it really glossy? What the heck am I doing??

Any info would really help. Thanks guys!!

[GooglyDooglyV.2]

Yikes. MM enamel paints. Depending on what you're going to do, you may need to use some type of oil-based paint thinner, like odorless mineral spirits, or Testors' own enamel paint thinner.

A little bit of warning:

Enamel will NEVER dry when applied on some type of plastics. I will remain forever tacky and a dirt magnet.

Enamels usually takes longer to dry than acrylic. Depending on the several factors like humidity, paint/thinner mix, etc etc, the wait time could be as long as 3 hours or more.

And yes, enamels usually have a glossy sheen when dry.

[Geektopian]

Huh... Lou is OBVIOUSLY some kinda anti-enamel hate monger!

To elaborate just a bit, yes, they will stick to plastics since that's what they're made for. It's pretty much the same rules as for acrylics in that they don't stick well to polyethylene but stick fine to polystyrene and ABS. They DON'T work on soft vinyl and are very likely to stay tacky forever on those surfaces.

They thin and clean with oil based solvents, just like artist oil paints. Probably best to go with some sort of odorless and/or turpentine substitute to avoid a contact buzz. (Then again....)

You might be able to use them over chrome (vacuum metalized plastic) and in fact, they might even adhere better than acrylics. Without trying it on that specific figure, there's no way to know for sure, although a slippery, shiny surface is probably going to be a pain whatever paint you use.

They usually do take longer to dry than acrylics but like Lou said, it depends on all kinds of factors like temperature, humidity, the surface it's painted over, etc. Just like with acrylics, whether they dry glossy or flat depends on whether they're made to dry glossy or flat. It should tell you on the label which type it is. I find flats MUCH easier to paint with, especially if you're using a brush.

[Evelien]

I will remain forever tacky and a dirt magnet.

Sorry, funny typo

[PBnJ]

My husband recently found an old Optimus Prime transformer in a box of random things in the back of the closet. He's talking about giving his guy some restoration too.

I've used Testors on a number of things with success, and I've created a few disasters with it too. You can get them in matte or glossy finish. They have a nice overcoat sealant too.

If you're worried about it adhering you can use a bit of fine sandpaper to roughen the surface to help create a little grip for the paint.

[Greyhaunt]

I will remain forever tacky and a dirt magnet.

Sorry, funny typo

LOL - and yet somewhat appropriate if you know Googly!

[GooglyDooglyV.2]

...YOU GUYS ARE MEAN.

But it's true. >.>;;

[KitKat]

Lou...Even your subconcious makes fun of you!!

Thanks guys...I think I will try it. It's just a tiny dot so if it totally screws up I don't think it will be that noticable. I knew you guys would know what to do. THANKS!!