Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So ive recently acquired a Pasche Talon airbrush and have been practicing with airbrush thinner on citadel paints with varying success

but a friend of mine uses Alclad lacquer paints and likes them a lot.
How are lacquer paints different than acrylics?
What kind of precautions do I need to take when painting with them?
special additional products needed to use them in the first place?

thank you for all the replies!
-Austin

Acrylics are water based paints. Lacquers are lacquer based.

That means the bulk of the fluid in which all the other things that make them paint are suspended is that base.

Adding water to a lacquer based paint would be very bad. They don't mix. Not unlike water and oil. You need to adjust your thinners and stuff to all make sure its meant to be used with lacquers.

I see I see. Thank you. I think for now i'll stick with acrylic air paints like Vallejo until i get more confident.

I'm looking for a way to make a polished iron look.

the original idea is to have a black glossy primer, sprayed over top is a thin coat of very dark metallic steel/iron color
wash it down with some nuln oil/drakenhof nightshade
then a final layer of a lighter metallic mixed with a little blue to give it some tint.
Highlight with bright silver, add rust and weathering, finish the trim with a color i havnt decided yet

Something similar to this user's marines. https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/702512-.html?m=2

Lacquer paints are a stinky mess and hard to clean. Go Vallejo Air acrylics. Mix paint approx 8:3 drops of paint to water/flo-aid.

You will need a tiny box of Q-tips and some paper towel