Acrylic enamel

[Myah's Daddy]

can you polish up a acrtlic enamel to a nice shine? Do you need to clear it to do it?

Brad

[drunken monkey]

you might want to go read the can/pot again.
Is it acrylic or enamel?
In terms of what we use for models, it can't be both?

[wouter1981]

Originally Posted by Myah's Daddy

can you polish up a acrtlic enamel to a nice shine? Do you need to clear it to do it?

Brad

Acrylic and enamel are 2 different types of paint. But you can polish al kinds of paint to a nice shine (my caterham has enamel, acrylic and laqeurs and they all polish out well) as long as they are completely dry. Some paint do need a clearcoat (like metalics) but most solid colours don't need one. Altough i prefer to clearcoat all my models. Just 1 tip. Use the same brand/type of paint for clear and colour coat.

[MPWR]

Yes there can be acrylic enamel- but it is an automotive paint, not a hobby paint.

Acrylic enamel refers to an enamel based paint that uses acrylic based pigment. Much like an acrylic lacquer is a solvent base with acrylic pigment.

In modeling, we tend to refer to aqueous based paints as 'acrylic'- as the base is aqueous acrylic. However this leads to alot of confusion.

I suspect that automotive acrylic enamels are supposed to be clearcoated. But I don't use them (I enthusiastically avoid enamels for body painting) so I can't say what to clearcoat with.

[Myah's Daddy]

This is what I got, it is what I get for sending someone else to get paint for me. http://store.newlevelmotorsports.com/instpa.html

[MPWR]

Can be used under all today’s automotive finishes.

I think there's your answer. Clearcoat it, and polish the clearcoat.

Or skip the enamel all together, and use lacquer.

[drunken monkey]

looking at the range of colours available, I'm going to guess that you use them exactly as how you would use something like tamiya TS sprays.
I mean, take a look at the list.
Gloss Black, Semi Gloss Black, Flat Black.
The names themselves says it all.

As usual Metallics and Pearl colours will always need Clear.

[jano11]

Originally Posted by MPWR

I think there's your answer. Clearcoat it, and polish the clearcoat.

Not really. That part was about the primers, not about the actual base paint.

The first step in priming. Etches and primes in one easy step. Can be used under all today’s automotive finishes. Perfect for spot repairs or for making paint stick to plastic. Creates superior adhesion on most plastics, fiberglass, bare steel, aluminum and stainless steel. Adhesion promoter also is a great step to ensure that paint will stick to plastic.
Primer is available at the bottom of the drop down menu on this page.

[Myah's Daddy]

basicly it is British racing green, I want some BRG and it is all I can find local so I bought it, but have not used it yet.

Brad

[935k3]

Krylon brand spray paints are Acrylic Enamel. They polish to a very nice deep gloss. There is no need for a clear coat. They do not rub through as easily. You have to use a good primer base because they will attack bare plastic.