Testors spray enamel: suitable for Lunchbox, Blitzer, etc?

[Smokescreen38]

The Tamiya TS paints are not stocked locally and paying shipping for a couple of cans makes them pretty pricey.  

Testors model paints are available locally but they are an enamel rather than a lacquer.  Has anyone tried them on the Lunchbox or other hardbody Tamiya kits?  If so, how did it go? Did it eat the plastic? Did it hold up? 

[Kowalski86]

At my LHS, I was warned against using Testors Enamel since it comes out too thick iirc. I've used Testord Lacquer on a Tamiya hard plastic body with some success.

You can also use some kinds of Krylon spray paint in a pinch, which is available at art stores.

[Smokescreen38]

Thanks! This is helpful.  I’ll look into the Krylon but I suspect that I’ll end up just getting the real deal. 

[tamiya_1971]

I used it on multiple bodies in the past without issue. I’ve also used dupli-color (automotive paint) on a Blackfoot body which turned out great.

[Saito2]

My Lunch Box and Bullhead were shot with Testors enamels BITD because Tamiya paints weren't prevalent at my LHS then (which meant all my early lexan shells got Pactra too). I actually prefer Testors yellow on my Lunch Box vs what Tamiya calls out in the manual which seems too light to my eyes. Enamels are thicker and take forever to dry vs Tamiya's lacquers. I would warm my cans in hot water for a smoother spray. Lacquers go down thin and smooth with quicker drying time. They take less finesse than enamels. Be warned though. If you use Tamiya lacquers, stick with lacquers all the way through (primers, etc.) because Tamiya paint will eat into and lift other types of paint its sprayed over.