SPA Modeler

I know this has been brought up a few times but I can’t remember which paint/clearcoat don’t play nice with each other especially when weathering a subject be it an ship, aircraft, or armour.

Lacquer - this I know is the hottest
Enamel - oil based
Acrylic- alcohol or water based.

So my question is this.... (with no weathering involved - just to apply a clear coat)

If I sprayed my top coat acrylic, I can seal it with either acrylic or enamel clearcoat with no issues.

Now for lacquer clearcoat... will it ruin acrylic topcoat? I know lacquer clearcoat doesn’t harm enamel topcoat. What about sealing lacquer top coat with acrylic and/or enamel clears?

Now let me see if I’ve got this correct when weathering...

Acrylic weathering on acrylic clearcoat will wash away acrylic colors underneath... thus ruining the model kit.
Enamel clear over acrylic will not ruin or lift/wash away acrylics underneath.

What about using lacquer clear when weathering?

This is really a good question and I would also want to have more clear understanding in general terms.

Then there is of course trillions of exceptions depending on brand etc, but a rule of the thumb would be wonderful to have.
Perhaps some sort of table to show the different combinations ?

- Kari

Exactly...