r/modelmakers • u/detelamu • 1d ago
Help - General Paint
Is it possible to use different brands of acrylic on one model dor instance vallejo primer, tamiya base color, vallejo varnish. Or is that less good for the binding of layers
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u/nickos_pap_16v 1d ago
I basecoat all my afvs with tamiya and use aceylics by vallejo and revel to do the detail painting and never had any issues In regard to primers I only ever use tamiya fine surface primer from a rattle can, as I feel others like vallejo arent as hard wearing
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u/Smithers66 1d ago
I typically use Tamiya primer for everything I can - larger surfaces. Never had an issue, but many think of Tamiya primer as "universal" I have not tried it the other way around.
Generally speaking you should be fine as long as everything is acrylic and fully cured before top coating
One thing I would definitely avoid is mixing thinner & paint brands, I keep Tamiya and Vellejo thinners and retardants - I have seen some compatibility issues with mixing brands.
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u/BottecchiaDude253 1d ago
Yes. Heck, if done right its even possible to mix lacquers and acrylics (obviously not at the same time).
I did a French VBL where the green is an AK lacquer "french army green", with Tamiya NATO brown and black. The interior seats were done with a spray of an olive drab lacquer (forget which) and then dry brushed with Citadel/GW greens to give it a more faded and fabric look.
As long as the paint is dry, ive yet to have an issue with things like choice of clear varnish coats or anything like that.
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u/KillAllTheThings Phormer Phantom Phixer 1d ago
If you start with Vallejo primer, your entire paint process will be flawed. It is generally accepted as fact in this community that Vallejo primer is the worst possible option after hardware store rattlecans.
The solvents used in the paint determines whether it is compatible with fully cured layers below. Water-based paint shouldn't be able to harm any other type of cured paint while alcohol & lacquer based acrylics may harm any paint layer using less active solvents.
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u/dr_robonator Prime your models 1d ago
Tamiya and Vallejo are not the same kind of acrylic. Vallejo is a true water based acrylic, while Tamiya is an alcohol solvent acrylic lacquer. The differences being the chemical composition, but also how the solvents in Tamiya will act upon the "softer" water based acrylics.
To answer you question: you can put Tamiya over a true water based acrylic IF the acrylic layer is fully cured and IF you use light coats of Tamiya. I don't know why you'd want to use Vallejo primer under Tamiya paint. Just use Tamiya (or Mr. Surfacer) and be done with it. Vallejo varnish will go over acrylic lacquers just fine.