How long to let enamel dry before applying an acrylic gloss coat?

[DavidWomby]

I normally paint with all acrylics but this time I used a matt ModelMaster enamel.  it's dried fast - less than 2 hours but how long before I can safely apply an acrylic gloss coast for the decals to go on, please?  



David

[Stuart]

I don't know for exact, but I would say wait until the smell of the enamels has gone from the model - i.e. it's cured. I'm not sure how long that would take.

If you've got a paint mule - why not give it a coat to your enamel, wait until if feels dry and then bung a coat of your clear over it - see what happens?

[JamesPerrin]

Depends on enamel brand, colour and finish, gloss taking the longest. I would say 24hrs for matt and 48hrs for gloss.

As a general rule it is often said that you shouldn't put acrylics over enamels - but I expect that depends on the acrylics brand! I'd be wary of Tamiya and MrColor, but Humbrol and Xtracrylixs should be safer.

As Stuart says though test!

[TomW]

I normally leave enamels a good 48hrs before overcoating with an acrylic, that's usually enough of a 'gassing off' period to avoid any unpleasant reactions but it depends on the enamel and whether it has been sprayed or brushed.

[DavidWomby]

Thanks, all. I'll see how things stand (smell) in the morning.

David