Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Painting, Finishing and Care. => Topic started by: stickystuff on February 25, 2015, 02:29:44 pm

Title: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: stickystuff on February 25, 2015, 02:29:44 pm
I have acquired from a local  car paint supplier . Some colours are acrylic and some are cellulose.

1. What is the difference . ?
2. Can I overpaint one type with another ?
3. I believe these can be thinned using universal thinners . Is this correct?
4. What type of varnish can I use on these paintsl

All information gratefully received
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: sailorboy61 on February 25, 2015, 03:22:23 pm
OOoh can or worms.... await response from resident expert.  >>:-(   but no, in short, they don't mix.



Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: morley bill 1 on February 25, 2015, 03:59:39 pm
When acrylic car paint first came out I rang the technical department of the paint company to ask what to use for clean up they told me cellulose thinners so  I tryed one over the other if you let it dry fully it worked ok for me ........    other acrylic sprays ie not car paint will not work together   I have also used cellulose to thin tamya acrylic and humbrol enamel paints its always worth experimenting on some scrap material to see what happens I/ve learned a lot this way..Bill
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: Martin (Admin) on February 25, 2015, 04:07:32 pm
Quote
1. What is the difference?
2. Can I overpaint one type with another ?
3. I believe these can be thinned using universal thinners . Is this correct?
4. What type of varnish can I use on these paintsl

First of all, Cellulose and Acrylic CAN'T be mixed together.
1. Acrylic is Water based, cellulose is Spirits based.
2.You can sometimes get away with Acrylic over Cellulose but Never Cellulose over Acrylic - Crackling & Crazing!!
3. Acrylic can be thinned with water but best use a propriety thinners. Cellulose can only be thinned with Cellulose  thinner (don't be tempted to use turpentine Substitutes!)
4. Acrylic varnish over Acrylics. Cellulose over Cellulose.

Also, not all Acrylics or cellulose paints are created equal!

Big Dave will be along in minute to give you the correct answers! You'll know it's Dave because he'll start with:=
     "RIGHT! Let me tell you...."   ;)     
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: morley bill 1 on February 25, 2015, 04:22:04 pm
Try reading the plastic model mags these guys regularly thin acrylics with cellulose thinners.......Bill
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: dougal99 on February 25, 2015, 05:01:36 pm
If it works for you great but all the advice I've read goes with Martin and Sticky. A lot of advice for thinning Acrylics suggests window cleaning spray or shower cleaning spray as both have very low surface tension whereas water can give you droplets.
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: morley bill 1 on February 25, 2015, 06:18:28 pm
Works perfectly for me and is common practice in the plastic modellers world I use it regularly with my airbrush Martin needs to get out more and talk to people who can do the job.....Bill.
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: dougal99 on February 25, 2015, 07:19:51 pm
Hopefully you missed smiley on that last post.  8)
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: essex2visuvesi on February 25, 2015, 08:59:21 pm
Works perfectly for me and is common practice in the plastic modellers world I use it regularly with my airbrush Martin needs to get out more and talk to people who can do the job.....Bill.


You might want to elaborate with what brand of acrylics/thinners you use successfully.
As Martin said.... not all acrylics are created equal



Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: Stavros on February 25, 2015, 09:53:02 pm
Right lets get one thing right here or words to that effect HA HA
 
Cellulose and Acrylic can be thinned with universal thinners so in fact you can put one on top of the other BUT I PERSONALLY wouldnt do it.
 
As for putting a Laquer over it I would use a 2 pack car laquer NOTHING else..........If you are spraying an enamel laquer over it ...it WILL NOT REACT but it will be IMPOSSIBLE to over paint it again with either acrylic or celly.
 
As long as it DOES NOT say in any shape or form WATER BASED  then you simply use universl thinners.
 
As another poster has quite rightly pointed out the plastic modellers use  celly thinners to thin their paints before using it in their airbrushes.
 
Dave
 
 
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: stickystuff on February 25, 2015, 10:08:48 pm
Thanks for all the info . I will lock my self in the shed and try your input. 


Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: jarvo on February 25, 2015, 10:14:20 pm
HI Stavros


Acrylic paint, is it all the same makeup??? your reply seemed to say some is some aint.


Thought all Acrylic was water based!!! has this passed me by????


Mark
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: Stavros on February 25, 2015, 10:22:44 pm
Jarvo not all is what is seems........Acrylic paints can be solvent based BUT CHECK on the can so to speak what to thin it with
 
 
Dave
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: Stavros on February 25, 2015, 10:24:27 pm
stickystuff could you post some pics of the tins I would be interested to know what make the paint is,as I could probably help you more
 
Dave
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: morley bill 1 on February 25, 2015, 10:28:28 pm
Brands of acrylics I use regularly are Tamiya and Gunze Sangyo aqueous color thinned with cellulose which I buy in a 1gallon can from car repair outlets I also have used this with the old Humbrol enamels  Hope this helps with anyone wishing to try this out..Bill.
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: essex2visuvesi on February 25, 2015, 11:11:43 pm
thanks bill.... i've always used tamiya thinner with tamiya acrylics until recently when i was introduced to this stuff:-
http://www.umpretail.com/collections/painting/products/ultimate-airbrush-thinner
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: Brian60 on February 26, 2015, 03:00:49 pm
It's important to understand that not all acrylics are water based! Go into any halfords and pick up a can of car paint, it says acrylic on the tin, but spray it and it smells like cellulose!

The reason is that cars for years have been sprayed with cellulose and only in the past 5 years or so have the volatiles been phased out in favour of acrylics (think H & S and global warming) However as a manufacturer if you are offering a touch up paint that is going to be mixed on a car body it stands to reason it has to be compatible with the paint its mixing with!

So an acrylic bought off the car paint stand in an accessory shop will be compatible with cellulose and vice versa. Other types of acrylic may not be!
Title: Re: Acrylic v Cellulose
Post by: Jherek on February 26, 2015, 04:44:26 pm
I've spraying halfords car paints (acrylic) over sanding sealer (cellulose ) without a problem (with primer).


I haven't had any problems, but I'm no expert.