The Ship Model Forum

I'm going to be starting my first model build: the USS Indianapolis by Academy mixed with 1945 Pontos detail set. I've done quite a bit of research on acrylic vs. enamel paints so I'm familiar with most of the pros and cons: ease of use, dry times, odor, brush stroke marks, etc. What the articles and videos don't really explain is the visual quality between the two. If you were to assemble two exact models and use acrylic on one and enamel on the other, will one be more visual appealing than the other? I'd like to hear your guys thoughts before I start ordering paint.

It depends on how it is applied, but enamels and lacquers (inc acrylic lacquers) can give an excellent finish. Water based paints tend to have more surface texture in the dried paint film.

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James Duff
Sovereign Hobbies Ltd
http://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk

Current build:
HMS Imperial D09 1/350
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=167151

I'm the "guest" that started this thread. Anyway, I plan to airbrush as much as I possibly can. I've literally spent an entire day researching the correct color paints for this particular 1945 model and it seems like Snyder & Short have the colors down to a science. All of their paints are enamel. It just seems to me that an oil based paint would provide the best results overall.

So, Snyder & Short was essentially the progenitor of White Ensign Colourcoats (John Snyder of Snyder & Short was part of White Ensign). White Ensign went bust a few years ago and James from Sovereign Hobbies above bought the Colourcoats line. If you want the Snyder & Short "line" of paints go to his site.

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Tracy White -Researcher@Large

"Let the evidence guide the research. Do not have a preconceived agenda which will only distort the result."
-Barbara Tuchman