Gloss coat between steps not working?

[AKRoast]

Hi
Background: I have two models now where I used an Ammo acrylic primer, then a mix of AB Tamiya acrylics and hand painted details that are often done with Testors Enamel because I like the feel and coverage of it with a brush vs Tamiya acrylics with one. After that I AB on Vallejo acrylic gloss coat, apply decals, and AB on another gloss coat. The gloss coats seem pretty thick. I let dry a day between. I then use Tamiya oil based panel line/pin wash with their little built in brush.

Ok now the issue:
when I go back to wipe off excess wash, the wash has gotten thru the gloss coat and softened the enamel paint. If I then rub that detail, it smudges/roughens the enamel.

I had seen on YT that the gloss coat had to be acrylic so an oil based wash would not do that? And it had to be an oil based wash because the gloss coat and paint coats were mostly acrylics. Maybe I can't use any enamel paint for details in this scenario? Or maybe the Vallejo gloss coat is too weak? Maybe not enough drying time between steps?

Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Belugawrx]

I have had that problem as well, and have switched to my own waterbase pinwash mix ...CraftSmart paint, water,and a couple drops of Liquitex flowaid.
It will not harm any paints.

 

[Edbert]

I'm no expert of the various paint types, in fact I'm below average. Still trying to get over what I learned in the 1970s that acrylic were water based, enamels used turpentine and lacquer user lacquer thinner. Whether that was true back then or not, it is not even close to true in this new age.

I spent MONTHS trying to figure out how to put a clear coat down to enable enamel or oil washes. Ruined one kit trying (https://www.scalemodeladdict.com/threads/f-16-aggressor.15628/) and came out with poor results on several. But I figured it out!

I usually used Tamiya acrylics for the color coat, used AK clears, and enamel/oil washes. When that didn't work I tried Model Masters enamels as the base coat and tried various clears, Tamiya acrylic, Tamiya Lacquer, even some Testors clears. I tried different solvents (turpentine, white spirits, artist oils, you name it) for the washes and filters. No matter what various product I used my weathering/shading/panel-lining would eat the clear and attack the base color.

Turns out the entire time it was me. I was putting the clear down WAAAY too thin. This did occur to me early on, I tried four coats of clear one time thinking maybe it was too thin, four coats would do it right? Well, one coat is enough if you spray it thick and heavy enough.

I learned to use an airbrush as a watercolor technique, hyper thin spray that allows the white paper to show through. On my models I would make multiple passed with slight color variations between each, getting full coverage and opacity by building up the layers. This is (in my opinion) a good way to paint in color, but it is trash for clear coating.

I solved it by getting a cheap brush with 0.50 and spraying the clear so thick I swear it was gonna run or get orange peel, but it didn't. I thought I was going to plug up recessed rivets and panel lines too, but it didn't. I cannot say for certain this is your problem, but damn is it worth a try!

I'm getting great results with X-22 as my gloss coat. I can scrub and rub hard on top of it with a turpentine soaked brush with no ill effects. Grab your mule, paint it heavy and wait 48 hours and let me know if that helps.

 

[AKRoast]

Thank you - I think a) will try Tamiya x-22 as gloss rather than truly water based Vallejo, b) try even thicker 2-coats of clear, and c) add 24 hours curing to every step. I figured out finally to have 2 builds going at once to allow staying busy between coats (well busy with my hobby instead of working more or doing home improvement lol). So far washes on general have not looked nearly as nice or effective as in the videos. I also need to try the build up of color variation in paint layers. I did get a cheap master airbrush trigger model that might as well be a garden hose sprayer, for my primer and clear coats. I have been using Mr.hobby aqueous matte coat rattle can for final step. Doesn't matte it quite well enough in my opinion.

 

[AKRoast]

Here is finished product