Painting Basics: Types of Paint

There are three types of paint: lacquer, enamel, and acrylic. The types of paint differ mainly on the solvent or 'carrier' of the paint. Lacquer paint uses lacquer thinner, enamel is an oil-based paint that uses paint thinner, and acrylic paint is water-based. The strongest solvent is lacquer, followed by paint thinner, and then water.


The significance of this property is that the stronger solvent can affect the paint type that uses a weaker solvent. For example, if you paint your model with an enamel paint and then again with a lacquer paint, the initial enamel coat can be dissolved by the lacquer coat and ruin your paint job. 

Always consider the diagram  to the right when using multiple types of paint on your model. Since lacquer paint is the strongest and most durable against the other types of paint, it is recommended to use it as your base coat. Especially when you are going to use an enamel wash (i.e., for panel lining). Same goes for acrylic, you can use it on top of enamel or lacquer since it is water-based. Water will not harm the lacquer or enamel.