Enamel vs Acrylic Paint for Model Kits
Enamel and acrylic are the two most common types of hobby paint for model cars and kits. Both work well. The right choice depends on how you paint, how much time you have, and where you're working.
Enamel vs Acrylic at a Glance
| Acrylic | Enamel | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Water or alcohol based | Solvent (oil) based |
| Drying time | Fast: dry to the touch in minutes | Slow: hours to dry, longer to fully cure |
| Smell | Low | Strong; work in a ventilated area |
| Cleanup | Easy | Needs enamel thinner or mineral spirits |
| Finish | Thin coats, great for detail work | Smooth, self-leveling, tough finish |
| Best for | Airbrushing, details, figures, quick builds | Brush-painting large areas, durable gloss finishes, washes |
Acrylic Paint
Acrylics dry fast, smell less and clean up easily, which makes them the most popular choice for beginners and airbrush users. Fast drying lets you add the next coat or color quickly, but it also means brush marks can show if you overwork the paint.
- Tamiya X (gloss) and XF (flat) acrylics. Thin them with Tamiya X-20A Acrylic Thinner.
- Vallejo Model Color and Model Air acrylics, plus Vallejo thinners and airbrush cleaner
- Revell, Ammo, Badger Model Flex and Testors acrylics
Shop all Acrylic Paint.
Enamel Paint
Enamels take longer to dry, but that slow drying lets the paint level out, so brush strokes smooth over and you get a hard, durable finish. They're a classic choice for car bodies and gloss colors. Enamels have a strong smell, so paint in a well-ventilated space.
- Testors enamel bottles and enamel spray cans, the classic American hobby enamel
- Ammo enamel washes and Ammo Enamel Odorless Thinner
- Revell enamels
Shop all Enamel Paint.
Can You Mix Enamel and Acrylic?
Don't mix them in the same cup. They are different chemistries and won't blend. You can layer them, though:
- Enamel over acrylic: works well. A common technique is an acrylic base coat with an enamel wash on top, because the enamel thinner won't lift the acrylic underneath.
- Acrylic over enamel: only once the enamel is fully cured, or the acrylic may not stick.
Use the Right Thinner
Each paint type needs its own thinner. Use acrylic thinner for acrylics and enamel thinner for enamels. Many brands make thinners matched to their own paints, such as Tamiya X-20A for Tamiya acrylics and Testors thinner for Testors enamels.
Which Should You Choose?
- New to painting models: acrylic, for easy cleanup and low smell
- Airbrushing: acrylic
- Brush-painting a smooth body color: enamel
- Washes and weathering over a base coat: enamel wash over acrylic
Want a third option? Lacquer paint dries the fastest and gives a very hard finish. Most lacquer is sprayed, and it needs good ventilation. See all airbrushes and supplies.