Can you paint over acrylic paint with enamel paint?

[MarcD]

This might sound like a silly question but can you paint over acrylic paint, in this case Tamiya, with enamel paint? I have gone the other way acrylic on top a enamel but you never know.

Marc

[Quarryscapes]

Generally, yes. However best do a test on something sacrificial first. 

[Geep7]

I've managed to paint over the top of Humbrol Acrylic Primer with Railmatch Enamels with good effect. But i've never tried the same with Tamiya. I believe that Tamiya acrylic paints are still solvent based, or are at least not wholly water-based paints, so i'm not sure how they would interact with Enamels.

 

That being said, as long as the coat you are going to paint over has dried out thoroughly, you should be able to paint over it.

[Hal Nail]

44 minutes ago, MarcD said:

I have gone the other way acrylic on top a enamel but you never know

I thought that was meant to be worse as the enamels take longer to fully cure.

 

There is chat/advice of this type in the painting and weathering section.

 

My own experience is the happier you are with the initial finish, the more likely the top coat is to mess it up...

Edited November 17, 2021 by Hal Nail

[meil]

I suppose the answer is yes - but the results might be bad. A bit like are all mushrooms edible? - yes but some of them only once.

[MarcD]

These are what I'm about to paint. LSWR brake thirds. Bottom half of the sides and end brown and top of the sides salmon pink. I have the brown but no pink acrylic unless I mix it myself.

Marc

[Enfys_Rainbow]

Yes you can. As long as the acrylic basecoat is dry. Enamel based washes over acrylic paint is pretty common and causes no reaction so the paint itself is unlikely to either.

[MarcD]

I have solved the problem without having to risk enamels. I have been experimenting with some paint this evening. if you mix 2 parts model color brown rose with 7 parts model color natural wood then bingo LSWR coach Salmon pink.

 

Marc