Hey, i got some questions.
Why use enamel paint for panel wash? Why not lacquer or acrylic?
Is silver a good colour for panel lining?
enamels/oils are slow drying paints because of its oil based solvents(enamel thinner(petroleum based) or turpentine, because of the oil-based its smoother too, therefore lets it flows in the crevasses and gaps, therefore make a good paint for panel lines. Also because of the slow drying properties, one can remove the excess paints from the surface, only leaving those in the crevasses to dry.
Acrylics and lacquers use alcohol and thinner respectively, both are quick drying and therefore unable to be like enamels/oils, flow through the gaps, settle down and then dry. It is also hard to remove as unlike oil solvents, acrylic paints cannot be reconstituted back to liquid paint(washing with ammonia based solvents or thinners will gummed up the paints and then you can rub it off), while lacquer can be reconstituted with thinner, its melts the plastic with it too.
Acrylics and lacquers are sought for for the quick drying properties, base colours are normal lacquers, then some detail paintings with acrylics. When all of these dries, the oils/enamels are out to do its magic with its slow drying properties. Techniques like panel lining(aka washes), dry-brushing, filtering, rain marks, chippings, fadings and many more are all applied using oils and enamels. The different layers uses different type of paints are made so that one can erase the immediate layer by using the particular solvent of that layer, but not affecting the lower layers. Usually modellers prefer to use lacquers for base as its quick drying, strong and the solvent is very harsh, if not the harshest solvent for paints(removes almost every kind of paint).
