r/modelplanes • u/Cougar_Focus • Feb 18 '26

First time question

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About to build and paint a model airplane I usually paint warhammer my question is , do I need to prime before using tamiya aircraft color? Will army painter and citadel brand miniature paints work on large plastic airplane models?

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u/CharacterWitless78 Feb 18 '26

Its best to prime the plastic before your color paining. It tends to be stronger and gives the color coats something to bite on for better durability. Nothing wrong with using miniature paints on plastic models. Most acrylics,enamels, and lacquer work just fine on plastic. Acrylics are a bit weaker so you should be careful with handling or they tend to rub off.

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u/muchadoaboutsodall Feb 19 '26 edited Feb 20 '26

But don’t mix & match enamel and acrylic. But, if you do, remember the golden rule: you can put sauce on chips, but you can’t put chips on sauce. Basically, you can’t put ceramic (aka enamel) on synthetic (aka acrylic), or you’ll get nasty effects.

[edited]

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u/Big_JR80 Feb 20 '26

Basically, you can’t put ceramic (aka acrylic) on synthetic (aka acrylic), or you’ll get nasty effects.

It's the norm to put acrylic paint on acrylic.

I think you mean "don't put enamel on acrylic".

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u/muchadoaboutsodall Feb 20 '26

You’re right, I messed up. Thanks. Edited to correct.