Enamel over Acrylic

This is my first post here, I read the FAQ - especially the part on different types of paint over other types of paint but I couldn't find the exact answer to my predicament.

Basically I think I may have done something bad. I undercoated my model with white spray (not thinking, hold on this is acrylic paint) then airbrushed over it with enamel. I have used acrylics a lot in the past due to the
Warhammer hobby but now I have started building real world models I am using thinned enamels.

Is this usually ok? The enamel went on fine and the finish is great - nice flat and even. However I was wondering how long I could expect to wait until the enamel dries. At the moment I can wipe it away with some white spirit on a cotten bud (after 3 hours).

If it helps the paints used are:

Citadel skull white (like I normally used with Warhammer)
Xtracolor (Hannants) Gulf Army/Marines sand

I have no idea how long the xtracolor enamels take to dry and cure so anyone with experience please give me an idea. Also Revell, Humbrol enamel dry.cure times would be great.

From what I have read, Using Acrylic as a base is a widely accepted method.
Due to the acrylics drying very hard and not softening under the thinner in subsequent enamel washes and layering.
Not a problem as far as I can see. In fact it is preferred by many.

Thanks, I went to Halfords and found the gloss. I didn't realise the clear laquer they do was acrylic, thanks for the tip - may come in useful if I ever buy some rally car kits (something I want to build in the future). For my M2A2 I'd prefer a satin finish so I will try to visit GW next week, I've used theirs in the past and it looked real nice.

I've also seen modellers in the stages of painting and they are quite glossy, then have decals on, then are dulled down to near matt finish. Is this just added weathering effects or is there a product that people use to dull down gloss coats?

Just finishing priming two planes that I have on the desk in bits using
Halfords grey primer - stinks to high heaven!! Got a 1/72nd F-15 SE and a
1/48th F-4 Phantom II.

PS: I saw a review on here regarding the Phantom II modelling book. I am fortunate to know the authors, they are both members of the modelling club I have started to attend. I'll have to get my copy of their book signed at the next meeting

Any ideas on Xtracolor/other enamel dry/cure times ontop of an acrylic base?

A simple rule : if it smells , it´s not dry. But "dry" depends on the next step you´re gonna take on the surface : washes, masking, varnish,...

Right cheers, I didn't realise enamel was so easy to get rid of once it was dry.

So I need to get some sort of sealant such as clear acrylic or varnish, etc... Thankyou for the advice. Shame the shop isn't open on Sundays. Hmmm
Halfords may do a satin clear spray though will go have a look.

Halfords do a GLOSS acrylic spray - called 'Clear Lacquer'.

For satin, check out Games Workshop - they do a MATT acrylic spray - which produces a nice satin finish.

It is called 'Purity Seal (Matt Varnish)'.

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Ken Duffey - Flanker Freak & Russian Aviation Enthusiast
Flankers Website - http://www.flankers.co.uk/
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In my experience Xtracolour can sometimes take a painfully long time to dry, make sure it is thoroughly stirred before using. It's one of the strange
Laws of Modelling when you want it to dry it just won't.

The worst case I had was a tin of RAF blue/grey on a Sea King, it took 3 to
4 days before I could handle it without marking the paint, yet other times it can dry in an hour or so.

To answer your other question yes enamels over acrylic is the way to go.

Happy modelling
Ant Phillips 'Standing on the shoulders of giants'