Hey all,

I just started building wood arrows and I'm having trouble with the paint that I bought.  I'm using water based acrylic paint and it's not covering too well.  It's just smearing instead of covering.

I'm painting over clear and white lacquer.

Am I using the wrong type of paint?  The brand I bought is Americana.  

Any suggestions from the pros?

Thanks.

Adam

BUMP

i would like to know this to so when i get my first set of woodies.

I'm sure not a pro but I use testers paints. I buy it at a hobby shop.

I use Bohning paints for crowning and cresting.

Expensive but great results.

Charles.

Is the Testors paint water or oil based?

I use the same acrylic paint you're using and don't have any issues with it.

Guy

You,ll have trouble doing that.  Waterbased does not like to stick to lacquer.  Ya might get Testors enamel to stick.  

I spray a base coat of cheap white or grey enamel and then do the rest of my work with Testors for cresting and if I am doing a crown (which I usually do) I just tape it off and spray on whatever color of cheap enamel.

After we are all done and that means plenty of time for each operation to dry I spray on a water based poly...... First coat is light if I used any Testors metalic colors.  Let that dry really good...  Then spray two more coats allowing to dry well.

Should get it done

Bruce has it.

Try to always match your base coat with your cresting paint.

If memory serves enamel can go over lacquer, but not vice versa. (from my automotive days)

Barely mist the first coat of clear and let it dry well. The you can put a good coat on.

The BEST paint that I have found and been using it for years now, is from Bob Burton of Whispering Wind arrows.  No smell, tough as nails and best of all it is water clean up.

I do two coats of gasket lacquer, crest with water-base acrylic paints, and then do two more coats of gasket lacquer.
I haven't had any issues with compatibility between the two types of products.

Guy

testors acrylics for me now. water clean up and compatible with my Krylon acrylic enamel cap dip paint. Had trouble with regular testors oil base enamels.

I'm heading to the hobby shop after work to pick up some Testors enamel.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I use testors model paint and Zip-Guard Poly. for my clear dip. Been using it for over 20 years and never had a problem.

Craig,
That is some nice work.