Tamiya Enamels

[DrBob]

Has anyone tried Tamiya enamels? I am not sure they are sold in the US, but they are available through Hiro Boy. I wonder if Tamiya enamels thinned with acrylic lacquer thinner are as good as the rattle cans.

[Scoob-Dood]

For Tamiya enamels, you have to use Tamiya enamel thinner, you can't thin them with Tamiya acrylic thinner.

Correctly thinned and airbrushed Tamiya acrylics can achieve an equally good result as the decanted spray cans for airbrushing - I don't feel you have enough control of the paint stream when spraying with the rattle can.

As to the enamels being sold in the USA, they are not that I am aware, I believe it has to do with their ingredients and US laws.

[DrBob]

For the thinner, I was going to use Dupont 3661S acrylic lacquer thinner. It will thin most enamels, although not One Shot. It works well with Gunze Sanyo acrylics. It does not always work with Tamiya acrylics. When used with Lifecolor acrylics, it makes a big gummy mess.
Most acrylic paints use an alcohol-water mix with additives. Those do not work with enamels.