Paints for Bandai kits ?

[division 6]

Since I now have a couple Bandai kits I thought before I dive in I should ask about paints.

In one of the threads I read that you should not use lacquer, enamel or oil paints on the kits since it causes the plastic to craze and fall apart.
So since this is the case what would be advised for priming and painting.

Can Tamiya paints be used even though they are an acrylic lacquer?
Or is there some other brand that would be better?
Preferable something easy to get in the US.

Also can you use glues like Tenex-7, Same Stuff (Micro Mark) and M.E.K.?
What about Bondo spot putty?

 

[adphill]

I have been using Tamiya acrylics, Tamiya acrylics thinned with Tamiya lacquer thinner, and Tamiya lacquers in rattle cans on Bandai plastics without a problem. I think the potential for damage comes when you basically soak the plastic in a thinner, like if you were doing an oil wash.

 

[division 6]

Thanks.

I just wanted to be sure before I spend $$.
I normally use Automotive Lacquer primer and Testers.

 

[Prologic9]

I've used duplicolor lacquer primer on several Bandai Star Wars kits, it works just fine. Their plastic is the same as anyone else's...

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

I'm kind of scared of getting any of these kits now because I only use enamel paint. I haven't heard anything definitive on this.

 

[division 6]

That is why I thought I should ask.
Better for everyone picking up these kits to get an idea of what to expect and plan for it.

My Lando Falcon is mostly assembled now but the paint work needs to be done before final assembly.

 

[Hemble]

I use Vallejo and Army Painter paints on all my Bandai kits and they work great. The Vallejo Model Color paints are the best to use especially when hand brushing as they don't leave streaks marks.

 

[mash3d]

The enamel paints are not the problem. It's the Thinner that causes it to go all weird.
As a general rule I would stay way from strong mineral spirits or turpentine.
I think you should be OK as long as you put a good lacquer coat on before you start weathering.
You can always stay on the safe side and weathering and do line washes with chalks.

 

[Scarecrow Joe]

Ive used turpentine, acrylics and lacquer all without problems in any of my Bandai builds:

269A8986 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

269A4416 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

IMG_5154 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

IMG_1898 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

IMG_0748 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

IMG_3977 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

You should be fine.