Acrylic Series

SQUADRON COLORS ACRYLIC PAINTS

How to Use & Painting Guide

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paints are formulated specifically for scale modeling and designed to provide excellent coverage, reliable airbrush performance, and historically researched colors straight from the bottle.

Whether you're applying a basic color coat or using advanced techniques such as pre-shading, post-shading, mottling, or color modulation, the information below will help you get the best results from Squadron Colors Acrylic Paints.

1. MIX THOROUGHLY BEFORE USE

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paints contain a high concentration of pigment. Some separation during storage is completely normal.

Because the paint is formulated specifically for airbrush use and has a lower viscosity than many traditional hobby paints, separation may be more noticeable inside the bottle. The paint may appear layered, separated, or marbled after sitting for an extended period.

THIS IS NORMAL.

Each bottle contains stainless-steel mixing bearings.

Shake the bottle until the mixing bearings are moving freely, then continue shaking thoroughly to ensure all settled pigment has been completely reincorporated into the paint.

Do this before every painting session.

2. AIRBRUSH READY

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paints are formulated to spray directly from the bottle.

START AROUND 12–20 PSI

This is a recommended starting range — not an absolute rule.

Airbrush design, needle/nozzle size, spraying distance, temperature, humidity, elevation, painting technique, and the type of work you're performing can all influence the ideal pressure.

Some modelers may prefer lower pressures for close-in work, fine camouflage, pre-shading, post-shading, mottling, or other advanced techniques.

Test your spray pattern before beginning work on your model and adjust your air pressure and paint flow as necessary.

3. DO I NEED TO THIN SQUADRON COLORS?

For normal airbrushing, no additional thinning is required.

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paints are formulated to be airbrush ready.

However, there are situations where a modeler may intentionally want a thinner paint mixture — for example, when spraying at very low pressure or gradually building transparent layers for pre-shading, post-shading, modulation, or other advanced painting techniques.

When additional thinning is desired, use:

Squadron Colors Acrylic Thinner
Water
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA)
Or an appropriate combination of these

IMPORTANT — DO NOT USE INCOMPATIBLE THINNERS

Do not use lacquer thinner, enamel thinner, or proprietary thinners intended for other paint systems unless compatibility has been specifically established.

Incompatible thinners can cause Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint to coagulate or form a thick paste and may make cleanup from your airbrush extremely difficult.

4. FLOW CONTROL AGENT

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint already contains a flow-control agent and is formulated to spray directly from the bottle.

NO ADDITIONAL FLOW CONTROL AGENT IS REQUIRED FOR NORMAL AIRBRUSHING.

However, Squadron Colors Flow Control Agent is also available separately for modelers who want greater control over the behavior of the paint.

Adding additional Flow Control Agent can extend the paint's drying time and alter its spraying characteristics, providing more working time before the paint dries.

It can also be used to help create a thinner, more translucent paint mixture, making it useful for advanced painting techniques where color is gradually built up in controlled layers.

These techniques can include:

Glazing
Gradual color transitions
Subtle shading
Tonal modulation
Transparent color buildup
Other advanced airbrush techniques

START WITH A SMALL AMOUNT

Additional Flow Control Agent changes the behavior of the paint, so there is no single mixing ratio that is ideal for every technique.

Begin with a small amount and experiment on a test surface. Additional Flow Control Agent can then be added as needed to achieve the drying time, transparency, and spraying characteristics desired.

For normal painting and general coverage, Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint can still be sprayed directly from the bottle without adding any additional Flow Control Agent.

5. SHOULD I USE PRIMER?

For the best and most consistent results, we recommend applying Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint over a properly prepared primer.

Primer can improve adhesion, provide a consistent foundation for the color coat, reveal surface imperfections, and help create a uniform surface before painting.

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint can also be applied directly to properly prepared plastic, but primer generally provides a more reliable foundation.

USING SQUADRON COLORS LACQUER PRIMERS

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint may be applied over Squadron Colors 1K Lacquer Primer after the primer has dried thoroughly.

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint may also be applied over Squadron Colors 2K Primer after the primer has properly cured.

Before applying the acrylic color, make sure the primed surface is clean, dry, and free of dust, fingerprints, oils, and other contamination.

6. SURFACE PREPARATION

Good paint performs best over a properly prepared surface.

Before painting:

Remove sanding dust.
Remove fingerprints and oils.
Make sure the surface is clean and dry.
Make sure primer or previously applied coatings have dried sufficiently before proceeding.

Paint cannot correct poor surface preparation underneath it.

Take the extra time to prepare the model properly before applying color.

7. APPLYING SQUADRON COLORS ACRYLIC PAINT

Rather than attempting complete coverage with one heavy application, build the color gradually.

For most applications, we recommend:

2–3 LIGHT COATS

Allow approximately:

1–2 MINUTES BETWEEN COATS

Apply each coat evenly and allow it to begin drying before applying the next.

Continue building the color until the desired coverage and appearance have been achieved.

Several controlled coats generally provide better results than trying to achieve complete coverage with one excessively heavy coat.

8. ADVANCED AIRBRUSH TECHNIQUES

The airbrush-ready consistency of Squadron Colors makes the paint suitable for much more than basic coverage.

By adjusting air pressure, paint flow, spraying distance, and thinning, experienced modelers can use the paint for techniques such as:

Pre-shading
Post-shading
Color modulation
Mottling
Fine camouflage
Gradual tonal variation
Transparent color buildup

There is rarely only one correct airbrush setting.

Use our recommendations as a starting point and adjust your setup to suit the technique you're trying to achieve.

EXPERIMENT.

A paint mule, plastic spoon, scrap model, or other test surface is one of the most useful tools on your workbench.

9. WHY DOES THE PAINT LOOK DIFFERENT IN THE BOTTLE?

Don't judge the final color by how the paint appears inside the bottle.

Pigment settling, separation, bottle thickness, lighting, and the wet appearance of the paint can all make the color look different before application.

Squadron Colors are formulated so the intended color develops as the paint dries.

The color may darken or shift slightly during drying.

JUDGE THE COLOR AFTER IT HAS DRIED.

The primer or base color underneath the paint, the number of coats applied, and any final clear coat and weathering can also influence the appearance of the finished model.

10. WHAT SHEEN IS SQUADRON COLORS?

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint is deliberately formulated with a semi-gloss finish.

This provides the modeler with a versatile working surface for additional finishing techniques, including decals, washes, and weathering.

The final sheen can then be established using the appropriate clear coat.

Depending on the model and desired appearance, the finished surface may ultimately be gloss, semi-gloss, matte, or somewhere in between.

11. DRYING & CURING

There is an important difference between paint being dry to the touch and being fully cured.

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint normally dries to the touch in:

LESS THAN 15 MINUTES

However, the paint continues curing after the surface initially feels dry.

Allow at least:

24 HOURS FOR A FULL CURE

Temperature, humidity, airflow, paint thickness, and environmental conditions can affect actual drying and curing times.

DRY TO THE TOUCH DOES NOT MEAN FULLY CURED.

12. MASKING

Although Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint may become dry to the touch quickly, additional drying time should be allowed before applying masking tape.

We recommend waiting at least:

2 HOURS BEFORE MASKING

Make sure the paint is sufficiently dry before applying tape, and use appropriate modeling masking tape with only as much adhesion as necessary.

For particularly delicate masking operations — or whenever you're uncertain — allowing additional drying time is preferable to masking too soon.

13. DECALS, WASHES & WEATHERING

The semi-gloss surface of Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint is intentionally designed to provide a useful foundation for additional modeling techniques.

Depending on the project and your preferred techniques, decals, washes, filters, and weathering may be applied as part of your normal finishing process.

When using unfamiliar decal solutions, washes, weathering products, or other chemicals, test the combination on a separate painted surface before applying it to an important model.

14. CLEAR COATS

A clear coat can be used to establish the final sheen, protect the paint and decals, and provide a working surface for additional finishing techniques.

Your choice of clear coat can also affect the final appearance of the underlying color.

SQUADRON COLORS LACQUER CLEAR COATS & SPECIAL FX

We are currently testing the complete Squadron Colors system to establish specific application recommendations for applying Squadron Colors Lacquer Clear Coats and Special FX products over Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint.

Until those tests are complete, we recommend testing any lacquer clear or special-effect coating on a separate painted test piece before applying it to an important model.

15. BRUSH PAINTING

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint was originally formulated specifically for airbrush application and will continue to be marketed primarily as an airbrush-ready paint.

However, since its introduction, many modelers — particularly within the figure and miniature painting community — have discovered that Squadron Colors can also perform extremely well when applied by brush.

The same thin, highly pigmented consistency that allows the paint to spray directly from the bottle can also make it useful for brush-painting techniques where thin, controlled layers of color are desirable.

Depending on the modeler's technique and experience, Squadron Colors can be useful for:

Figure and miniature painting
Detail painting
Highlights and shadows
Glazing and translucent layering
Gradual color transitions
Small-area painting and touch-ups
Building color through multiple thin layers

TECHNIQUE MATTERS

Squadron Colors is not formulated like a traditional thicker brush paint, so modelers accustomed to heavier-bodied acrylics may find that it behaves differently when applied with a brush.

Its naturally thin consistency can be an advantage — particularly for miniature and figure painters who prefer building color gradually rather than applying heavy, opaque coats.

Results will depend on the brush, technique, amount of paint loaded into the brush, surface preparation, and the individual modeler's experience.

AIRBRUSH READY — BUT NOT AIRBRUSH ONLY

Airbrushing remains the primary application method for which Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint was designed. However, modelers should not hesitate to experiment with brush application.

In the hands of a skilled brush painter, the characteristics that make Squadron Colors an excellent airbrush paint can also make it a surprisingly versatile paint for figures and miniatures.

16. REMOVING SQUADRON COLORS ACRYLIC PAINT

Shortly after application, Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint can be removed using Squadron Colors Acrylic Thinner or isopropyl alcohol (IPA).

As the paint cures, removal becomes progressively more difficult.

Once the paint has fully cured, use Squadron Colors Paint Stripper according to its instructions**.

Always consider the material underneath the paint before using any paint-removal product.

17. CLEANING YOUR AIRBRUSH

Clean your airbrush promptly after painting.

DO NOT ALLOW PAINT TO DRY INSIDE YOUR AIRBRUSH.

When you've finished spraying, empty any remaining paint from the airbrush and flush thoroughly with Squadron Colors Acrylic Thinner or an appropriate acrylic airbrush cleaner until it sprays clean.

For a more thorough cleaning, follow your airbrush manufacturer's instructions for disassembly and clean any remaining paint from the needle, nozzle, paint cup, and other paint-contact areas.

Regular cleaning helps maintain consistent spray performance and reduces the possibility of dried paint causing problems during future painting sessions.

WHAT IF THE PAINT HAS ALREADY DRIED?

If Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint is allowed to dry inside the airbrush, acetone can help soften and remove the dried paint.

For stubborn dried paint, disassemble the airbrush according to the manufacturer's instructions and use acetone carefully on affected solvent-resistant metal components to help loosen and remove the dried material.

A small cleaning brush, appropriate airbrush cleaning tool, or cotton swab can then be used to gently remove the softened paint.

IMPORTANT — CHECK YOUR AIRBRUSH BEFORE USING ACETONE

Acetone is a strong solvent and may damage certain rubber seals, O-rings, plastic components, coatings, finishes, or other solvent-sensitive parts.

Do not soak an assembled airbrush in acetone.

Before using acetone, consult your airbrush manufacturer's cleaning recommendations and make sure the components being cleaned are compatible with strong solvents.

After removing the dried paint, thoroughly clean the affected components with your normal airbrush-cleaning products and reassemble the airbrush according to the manufacturer's instructions.

THE EASIEST CLEANUP IS IMMEDIATE CLEANUP.

Cleaning Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint from your airbrush immediately after spraying is much easier than removing it after it has dried.

Never return used paint or cleaning solution to the original paint bottle.

18. STORAGE & SHELF LIFE

Proper storage can significantly extend the useful life of your paint.

For best results:

Keep bottles tightly closed when not in use.
Keep the bottle rim and cap clean.
Do not allow the paint to freeze.
Store paint away from excessive heat.
Shake stored bottles periodically.

Properly stored Squadron Colors Acrylic Paint can remain usable for an extended period. If a bottle has been sitting for a long time, shake it extremely thoroughly before deciding whether the paint is still usable.

If a bottle has been sitting for a long time, shake it extremely thoroughly before deciding whether the paint is still usable.

19. SAFETY

Squadron Colors Acrylic Paints are formulated to be low odor, but low odor does not mean that normal painting safety precautions should be ignored.

When airbrushing any paint, always use appropriate ventilation and respiratory protection.

Avoid breathing paint mist.

Avoid unnecessary skin and eye contact.

Keep paint away from children and pets.

Squadron Colors Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available on our website.

QUICK REFERENCE

MIX

Shake thoroughly until the mixing bearings move freely → Continue shaking until all settled pigment is completely mixed

AIRBRUSH

Ready to spray → Start around 12–20 PSI → Adjust as needed

APPLY

2–3 light coats → Approximately 1–2 minutes between coats

DRY TO TOUCH

Less than 15 minutes

MASKING

Wait at least 2 hours

FULL CURE

Allow at least 24 hours

THINNING

Normally not required → Squadron Colors Acrylic Thinner, water, IPA, or an appropriate combination when additional thinning is desired

FINISH

Semi-gloss working surface → Establish the final sheen with your chosen finishing system

CLEANUP

Clean promptly with Squadron Colors Acrylic Thinner or an appropriate acrylic airbrush cleaner → If paint has dried, acetone may help remove it from compatible solvent-resistant components

LEARN. EXPERIMENT. BUILD.

These instructions are intended to give you a reliable starting point for using Squadron Colors Acrylic Paints.

Every airbrush, compressor, modeling environment, and painting technique is a little different. As you become familiar with the paint, experiment with air pressure, paint flow, spraying distance, thinning, and application techniques to discover what works best for you.

The goal isn't simply to follow instructions — it's to understand your paint well enough to make it do exactly what you want.

**SQUADRON COLORS PAINT STRIPPER

SOMETIMES THE BEST PAINT JOB STARTS OVER.

Sometimes a paint job doesn't go as planned.

Sometimes an older model needs to be restored.

And sometimes you simply decide you want to start over.

Squadron Colors Paint Stripper is a hobby paint remover designed to help remove paint from model parts without resorting to aggressive lacquer thinner or other harsh solvents that may damage common modeling plastics.

Whether you're correcting a small problem area or stripping an entire model, Squadron Colors Paint Stripper gives you a controlled way to remove unwanted paint and prepare the surface for another attempt.

TWO SIZES FOR TWO DIFFERENT JOBS

Squadron Colors Paint Stripper is available in two sizes:

15 mL

Ideal for small areas, individual spots, detail work, and controlled paint removal where only a small amount of stripper is needed.

200 mL

Ideal when enough product is needed for dipping or soaking model parts, stripping larger areas, or restoring complete models.

FOR SMALL AREAS & SPOT REMOVAL

When only a specific area needs to be stripped, apply a small amount of Squadron Colors Paint Stripper directly to the painted surface.

Allow the stripper time to penetrate and soften the paint.

Once the paint begins to release, gently work the area with an appropriate soft brush, cotton swab, or other non-damaging tool.

Stubborn paint or multiple layers may require additional applications.

WORK GRADUALLY.

Avoid aggressive scraping that could damage surface detail or the material underneath the paint.

This method is particularly useful when you need to correct a problem without unnecessarily stripping the entire model.

DIPPING & SOAKING PARTS

For larger areas or complete paint removal, Squadron Colors Paint Stripper can be used to soak model parts.

Pour enough Paint Stripper into a suitable container to completely cover the parts being stripped.

Submerge the parts and allow the product time to work.

CHECK THE PARTS PERIODICALLY.

As the paint softens and begins to release, remove the parts and gently scrub them with a soft brush or toothbrush.

Heavy paint buildup, multiple layers, primers, or older finishes may require additional soaking and cleaning.

Rather than aggressively scraping stubborn areas, allow the Paint Stripper additional time to work.

AFTER STRIPPING

Once the unwanted paint has been removed:

Rinse the part thoroughly with fresh water.

Use a soft brush if necessary to remove loosened paint or remaining residue from:

Panel lines
Recesses
Corners
Rivets
Surface details
Hard-to-reach areas

Allow the part to dry completely before sanding, priming, painting, or continuing construction.

Inspect the surface carefully before repainting. Any remaining paint or residue trapped in recessed details should be removed before applying a new finish.

IMPORTANT — TEST FIRST

Scale models and aftermarket components can be manufactured from many different materials.

These may include:

Styrene
Resin
Clear plastic
3D-printed materials
Fillers
Putties
Adhesives
Photo-etched or multimedia assemblies
Other aftermarket materials

Different materials may react differently to prolonged exposure to any paint-removal product.

ALWAYS TEST FIRST.

Before stripping an important model or component, test Squadron Colors Paint Stripper on a spare part, piece of sprue, hidden area, or sample of the same material whenever possible.

Pay particular attention when working with clear parts, resin, 3D-printed materials, fillers, putties, adhesives, or unfamiliar aftermarket components.

Do not assume that because one material tolerates prolonged soaking, every material will.

DON'T FORGET THE GLUE

Paint isn't the only material on a finished model.

A completed model may contain several different adhesives, fillers, putties, decal products, and aftermarket materials underneath the paint.

When stripping an assembled model, periodically inspect seams, attached details, and other bonded components.

If you're uncertain how a particular material or adhesive will react, test it separately before soaking the complete model.

HOW LONG SHOULD I SOAK THE PART?

There is no single soaking time appropriate for every model.

The amount of time required can depend on:

Type of paint
Number of paint layers
Age of the finish
Primer underneath the paint
Thickness of application
Material being stripped

LET THE CONDITION OF THE PAINT DETERMINE THE SOAKING TIME.

Inspect the part periodically.

Once the paint has softened enough to be removed easily, there is generally no advantage to leaving an unfamiliar material submerged longer than necessary.

Stubborn areas can always be treated again.

WHAT TYPES OF PAINT WILL IT REMOVE?

Squadron Colors Paint Stripper is intended for removing hobby paint from model parts.

Because hobby paints, primers, clear coats, and two-component coatings use many different chemistries, removal time and effectiveness can vary considerably from one coating to another.

Some finishes may release quickly.

Others may require repeated applications or extended soaking.

Multiple layers may need to be removed progressively.

WHEN WORKING WITH AN UNFAMILIAR PAINT SYSTEM, TEST FIRST.

This is especially important when stripping combinations of primer, paint, decals, weathering products, and clear coats.

A SECOND CHANCE AT THE PAINT JOB

One of the advantages of scale modeling is that a bad paint job doesn't necessarily mean a ruined model.

Runs happen.

Colors don't always turn out the way we expected.

Masking sometimes goes wrong.

Old models eventually need restoration.

And occasionally we simply look at something we've painted and decide:

I CAN DO THAT BETTER.

Squadron Colors Paint Stripper gives you the opportunity to remove the old finish, clean the surface, and try again.

QUICK REFERENCE

SMALL AREA

Apply → Allow paint to soften → Gently brush or wipe → Repeat if necessary

COMPLETE PART

Submerge → Inspect periodically → Remove when paint softens → Gently scrub

AFTER STRIPPING

Rinse thoroughly → Clean recessed details → Allow to dry completely → Inspect before repainting

MOST IMPORTANT

TEST UNFAMILIAR MATERIALS FIRST.

SAFETY

Use Squadron Colors Paint Stripper in accordance with the product label and current Safety Data Sheet.

Wear appropriate gloves and eye protection and use the product in an adequately ventilated area.

Avoid unnecessary skin and eye contact.

Keep away from children and pets.

Do not mix Squadron Colors Paint Stripper with other chemicals or cleaning products.

Dispose of used stripper, removed paint, and contaminated materials in accordance with applicable local regulations.

Squadron Colors Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available on our website.