I airbrushed a few small parts with Tamiya and then after allowing the paint to dry for an entire day I applied a MIG brand filter and when I had to wipe some extra off with a paper towel it took the paint right off? What's the deal? I painted the base with a Tamiya silver and then airbrushed some Tamiya field grey over that. I do this so that I can then scratch the field grey off and expose the silver underneath to create realistic chipping. A common practice in 1/6th figure modeling. Any suggestions as to why the Mig filter is softening the Tamiya paint? Thanks,

-Kevin

I experienced the same problem a few times. So, I'm looking for an explanation too.
Regards,
Alberto

While this is only a guess on my part, but by using Tamiya paint which is an acrylic, and the Mig washes which are an enamel.....without a protective layer between the paint and the wash, the enamel carrier in the wash will eat right through the acrylic, or at least soften it up some.

While leaving the acrylic to dry for a day should do the trick, in the end it depends on how "hot" the wash coat over top is, and I have always found the Mig Washes to be more to the hot side of things.

Best bet is to give your kit a spray of future after your Tamiya paint, this provides a protective layer between the paint and the wash. And while Future is basically a clear acrylic, I find it a little tougher than just the Tamiya Paint alone.


If anyone has used the old Testors Matt Spray in the can.....it is actually a Lacquer, and I have seen it, once applied, eat its way though a layer or 2 of Future, couple layers of acrylic paint and the primer down to the bare plastic. You spray it on, and it almost looks like the paint is sagging off the kit. If you don't touch it and just walk away, it seems to once dry, everything goes back to normal, and is a great Matt coat, but it is being able to resist not touching it that seems to be the problem!

MIG filters and washes are RECOMMENDED by MIG to be used with Tamiya paints because they are acrylic and the solvents in the MIG products should NOT effect the Tamiya paint. The one thing I am not doing is adding a gloss or satin coat before the wash or filter but I read it was not absolutely necessary to apply a clear coat before hand. I'm painting 1/6th figure equipment and I want the paint to be very matte and have the filter stick to the matte finish of the Tamiya paint. Here's an example:

Thanks,

-Kevin

Hello

I usually only use Tamiya paints. I have been using them for years because I am familiar with the properties of this product. I work for MIG Productions and use the products we produce to finish every model I construct. I have never had the problems being described above. Most of the time I apply a few coats of Tamiya clear after the base coat but have not had problems in the past when I have preferred not to. I never use Future.

The thinner in our washes and filters is a bit toward the hot side. I apply the washes and filters in small amounts anyway for better control during application.

Could your base coat have been a bit thin? Did it have ample time to set? Tamiya usually takes about 40 minutes depending on the thinner you use. Did you apply a coat of primer? Have you had this problem in the past and what paints to you usually use?

Again, it sounds unusual because I have not had this problem. I lot of people use our products over Tamiya paints. Let me know your thoughts.

Sincerely
ANPW

the enamel should have no effect on the acrylic but (always a but) from my experience if the acrylic Tamiya is fresh and not hard dried for at least overnight and you use an excessive amount of an enamel based wash/filter/glaze, whatever, and it is excessive enough to pool and sit on the surface it will lift and/or bubble the acrylic. How's that for a big ass run on sentence? I think where paint isn't as thick in crevices and corners as it is on flat surfaces it allows the enamel based medium to work it's way under the paint surface.

The above happened to me once, I figured out why, and never had a problem since. I think any excessive use of thinner based washes either acrylic or enamel and especially laquer will effect a fresh base coat of paint even when it's a different chemically based base coat

My2caddedtoAdam's5c, bobC

I've had similar problems in the past with fairly thin coats of acrylic and using a mineral spirit or turpenoid wash over it. The paint just wiped right off. Once I used a primer (tamiya gray) I did not have a problem anymore. HTH!

Tamiya Silver paint IMO kinda sucks...I used some on the wings of a P-51B I was building and it was rubbing off when I was handling the wings of the kit and it was even primed under it. So not having a good foundation under the paint will make it come off.

I've seen Tamiya paint lift from MiG Filters otherwise, but I've found out that only happens when you apply a very heavy/wet coat of them. You only need to apply a damp coating to the paint to get the proper effect.

Could be the action of wiping? Better to use a cotton bud to wick away some excess. I would never wipe a freshly painted surface!