Tamiya Acrylic vs Enamel vs Lacquer — Which Paint Should You Use?

If you're new to scale modelling, the paint aisle can be overwhelming. Tamiya alone produces three completely different paint formulas — and knowing which one to reach for makes a real difference to your finished build. Here's a plain-English breakdown. Once you know which formula suits your build, check our complete Tamiya paint colour chart to find the exact colour you need.

Tamiya Hybrid Acrylics (X and XF Series)

Tamiya's acrylics are best understood as a more versatile, lower-odour lacquer. They're a hybrid formula — not a standard water-based acrylic — and can be thinned with water, isopropyl alcohol, or lacquer thinner. For best airbrushing results, Tamiya lacquer thinner retarder type (such as Tamiya 87194 or Mr. Leveling Thinner) is the recommended thinner — it slows the dry time just enough to allow the paint to level beautifully. Hand painting is possible but can be tricky — the second coat can reactivate and lift the first if you're not careful.

The range is split into two series: XF colours are flat/matte finish, and X colours are gloss finish. Both are the same hybrid acrylic formula — the only difference is the sheen level.

Cleanup: Isopropyl alcohol or lacquer thinner.

Pros: Versatile thinning options, lower odour than lacquers, fast drying, excellent airbrush performance with retarder thinner.

Cons: Hand painting requires care — thin coats and patience.

Tamiya LP Lacquers

Lacquers are the professional choice for airbrushing. They dry fast, lay down smooth, and cure to a hard, durable finish that handles weathering products and decals without lifting. If you want a flawless base coat, this is it.

Best for: Airbrushing base coats on any subject — especially automotive, armour, and aircraft where finish quality matters. The retarder thinners (Tamiya 87194 or Mr. Leveling Thinner) slow the dry time enough to allow the paint to self-level into a mirror-smooth finish.

Cleanup: Lacquer thinner only. Use with proper ventilation.

Pros: Superior durability, fast drying, excellent airbrush performance.

Cons: Requires lacquer thinner and ventilation. Not suitable for brush painting.

Tamiya Enamels (X and XF Enamel Series)

Enamels are oil-based and dry slowly — which sounds like a downside until you understand how modellers actually use them. That slow dry time is the point. Enamels are the preferred choice for panel line washes, chipping techniques, and weathering effects because they stay workable long enough to blend, manipulate, and wipe away mistakes.

Best for: Hand painting detail work, panel line washes, and weathering over a sealed base coat. Always apply over a fully sealed acrylic or lacquer layer — enamel thinner won't damage sealed layers beneath.

Cleanup: Enamel thinner (Tamiya X-20, available in 10ml, 40ml, and 250ml).

Pros: Forgiving and blendable, ideal for weathering and detail work.

Cons: Slow dry time, requires enamel thinner, must be applied over a sealed base.

How the Three Work Together

Most modellers pick either Tamiya acrylics or LP lacquers as their primary base coat — not both. The choice comes down to personal preference, ventilation, and workflow. Both are excellent. Once your base coat is down and sealed, enamels come into play for weathering.

The reason enamels are so popular for weathering is chemistry. Because enamels are a dissimilar paint type to your acrylic or lacquer base, enamel thinner can clean up your wash without touching the sealed layers beneath. This makes panel lining and weathering effects forgiving and controllable.

A common workflow:

1. Acrylic or lacquer base coat (airbrushed)
2. Seal with a gloss clear coat
3. Apply decals
4. Seal again with gloss clear
5. Enamel wash for panel lines and weathering effects
6. Final seal with flat or semi-gloss clear to taste

One critical rule: avoid applying lacquer over enamel at any stage. Even if an enamel layer looks and feels dry, it can still be chemically active — and lacquer thinner will attack it, causing wrinkling and lifting. Enamels are notoriously slow to fully cure beneath the surface. Plan your workflow so that lacquer is never going on top of enamel.

A Note for Canadian Modellers

Tamiya aerosol spray cans (TS series) are not available for sale in Canada. Tamiya X-20A acrylic thinner is also currently unavailable due to Health Canada regulations. For thinning Tamiya acrylics, we recommend Tamiya Lacquer Thinner with Retarder or Mr. Hobby Leveling Thinner for best results — the retarder slows the dry time and gives the paint time to level properly. Mr. Hobby Aqueous Color Thinner is also compatible and available while stock lasts. Ask us in store if you're unsure which to use.

Shop Tamiya acrylics, lacquers, and enamels in store at 1880 Danforth Ave, Toronto, or browse our full Tamiya paint range online. Looking for a specific colour? View our complete Tamiya paint colour chart with military references and vehicle guides.