lesthegringo Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Gents, I am using some Xtracolor paints for the first time, as they do some very specific shades, but either they are very slow drying or I have a bad batch. More than 48 hours after applying the colour by airbrush, using Tamiya lacquer thinners, the paint is still tacky so I can't work with the parts. Is this normal, or is there a secret to using them? Cheers Les Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paolo Maglio Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 (edited) it is normal, wait for a week for full curing, if the surface is nice, even and glossy you are fine, just wait and do something else meanwhile. Edited December 26, 2014 by Paolo Maglio Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lancer512 Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 I concur. As long as you can still smell the new paint, don't try to even touch it. That is the only drawback I see with Xtracolor, but it can be decaled without the need for a clear coat. Their colors are spot-on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Britaholic Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Xtracolor is my favourite paint, I stir it thoroughly (2 minutes with a Badger battery stirrer) thin it 50:50 with Xtracolor quick drying thinners, airbrush at 12-15 psi and it dries in a few hours, however I leave it 2-3 days to cure fully before masking. Cheers Dennis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lesthegringo Posted December 26, 2014 Author Share Posted December 26, 2014 Thanks guys, will have to nip down the hobby store and buy some patience! Les Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Ditch the Tamiya thinners as it has this effect on Xtracolor paints. Use Revell Colourmix enamel thinners instead and thin 60/40 thinners/paint and spray in several light coats. I only use Xtracolor/Colourmix and haven't had any problems in the 15+ yrs of doing so. It's tack dry in 1-2hrs, touch dry in 8hrs and I normally leave it for 48hrs before masking off with tape but I've done it after 24 hrs without any problems. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lancer512 Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 Just curious, is the Revell thinner better than the Xtacolor quick drying thinner? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 In my opinion far superior, I used to use the Xtracolor own brand thinners when I first started using Xtracolor paints and had the same problems with drying times, sometimes it wouldn't dry at all. I was directed to Revell Colourmix by another modeller and haven't looked back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lancer512 Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 Thanks, I'll have to give it a try, then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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