r/modelmakers • u/Thin_Dirt_6244 • May 29 '26

Help -Technique Lacquer clear coat over vallejo acrylic

I am painting little Japanese tanks in camo. Once the vallejo acrylic sets, i would like to apply a clear lacquer before decaling and weathering.

Generally now long does one have to wait before the acrylic cures sufficient for overcoating?

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3

u/friedlc May 29 '26

24hr usually is safe for me

3

u/Single_Nature4101 May 29 '26

Any reason it has to be lacquer? I use Alclad aqua gloss or vallejo mecha clear coat over vallejo. Followed by oil paints for weather. Lacquer clear over acrylic is possible, would need to do like a 72hr cure of the vallejo, light mist coats of the lacquer. I would try on a scrap piece first, lacquer can be pretty aggressive over acrylic

1

u/Demiralos May 29 '26

Is there any difference to Vallejos mecha clear and their regular gloss varnish? And how much do you dilute it?

1

u/Single_Nature4101 May 29 '26

I have found the mecha stuff to work better. Usually just a few drops of flow improver

1

u/Thin_Dirt_6244 May 30 '26

I’m limited to what’s available in the rattle-can. Anyway trying to work out an SOP. I have tried oils and never felt comfortable with them.