Paint not drying (Humbrol Enamel)

Paint not drying (Humbrol Enamel)

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goneape

Original Poster:

2,839 posts

162 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
I'm building the Tamyia 1:24 F40. After a 6 month break due to other things (less fun) I'm back on the job and I need to paint the shell. I had done 1 coat already in Humbrol #19 (red gloss) but it came out very bitty, far from a perfect finish. THinking it was a problem with my brushes (oldish), I've rubbed it all flat and gone over with the ideal product (Tamiya TS-8 rattle can). This gives a reasonable finish but doesn't have good edge coverage because the F40 has some sharp angles i.e. the side vents and louvres, plus the small areas where I couldn't rub back properly have blistered because of the high solvent content. So, I've rubbed back a second time and used a dremel tool to clean up the shut lines and fine detail etc, and gone back over with a new tin of Humbrol #19 and new brush. Much better finish, but

48 hrs on and the paint is still tacky.

Q1

What has gone on - paint was well mixed, no application issues as far as I can remember

Q2

How to sort it

I'm thinking hair dryer, but I don't want to soften it and cause runs and I can't find any useful product info on Humbrol website. Evens whether I get better advice here or there, I reckon.

I've been building models like this for over 20 years but have never had this issue with gloss before. Quite embarrassing as I work in coatings myself!

dr_gn

16,146 posts

184 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
IMHO Humbrol enamel paint is fundamentally a bit rubbish these days, I've heard a lot of this kind of problem on various forums. IIRC there was a similar issue here on PH fairly recently.

Personally I'd dunk the whole lot in brake fluid for a few days to strip the paint and start again using a red primer (flatted) and Tamiya gloss red through an airbrush. Leave it a couple of weeks to harden and then use Tamiya flatting compound for finishing.

Eric Mc

121,958 posts

265 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
Agree.

I haven't used Humbrol enamels or acrylics for years now. There are plenty of better alternatives out there now.

perdu

4,884 posts

199 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
Also agree.

I think the man who knew how to formulate and mix Humbrol paint left the company soon after I gave up model making for a few years.

He took all his expertise in matching colours too, some of their 'new' colours are nothing like the colours in my forty year old cans.

Thank God the old paints still paint and dry nicely, I needed a tin of ivory/cream gloss last year for a scratch build I was doing and had to buy a new tin.

I think it is still tacky even now. frown

goneape

Original Poster:

2,839 posts

162 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
quotequote all
VOC 2010 strikes again?

I've decided on the hair dryer route followed by brake fluid if it turns into another cock-up.

DOT 4 or 5? wink

Thanks!

goneape

Original Poster:

2,839 posts

162 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
quotequote all
VOC 2010 strikes again?

I've decided on the hair dryer route followed by brake fluid if it turns into another cock-up.

DOT 4 or 5? wink

Thanks!

perdu

4,884 posts

199 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
quotequote all
not silicone