enamel drying times

[Guest]

Recently i prefer using acrylic paint to enamel. however i've been using enamel on most recent model. I'm sure you all aready know this, but as im trying to take an active role in the forum i decided to post.

I've found that if I paint in a room where i can open a window and door, the ventilation seems to make the enamel paint try much much quicker.

Also, was wondering if using a hairdryer is okay to dry the paint and also if there are any other tips.

Thanks,

Adam

[stona]

I think a bit of air movement will help but a bit of warmth will certainly force any paint to dry quicker. I've heard of people rigging up boxes heated by light bulbs to dry enamel paints quicker. I've also heard of people melting their models trying to force dry their paint so beware!

Your thinner will also have an effect. I still use my stash of White Ensign Colourcoats from time to time. They are very slow drying but I find thinning with cellulose thinners rather than the less volatile white spirits reduces the drying time somewhat.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

thank you steve,

Will the humbrol enamel thinner do the job? also what is the ratio i should use? thank you

[stona]

I've never used Humbrol's thinner but I'm sure it will work with their paint.

Thinning ratio is a $64000 question! First it depends what you are doing. Generally for brush painting you don't need to thin at all. For airbrushing I always started at about 50:50 paint to thinners and adjusted to suit from there. It depends on many variables,most obviously the paint,the airbrush and how it's set up (pressure etc).

I've probably mentioned before that I'm thoroughly unscientific about these ratios,I don't believe you need to be precise,you just need to make it work.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

thanks steve. I havent actually airbrushed before, I've only brushed. Would it be a better idea to move over to airbrushing?