X-7 Red (Enamel)

Tamiya X-7 Red — enamel (synthetic) paint, 10 ml

Tamiya X-7 Red is a gloss red enamel, that is a synthetic solvent-based paint, in a 10 ml bottle. This is a modeling paint, not a kit. The X range at Tamiya denotes the gloss shades. The paint is applied to plastic, metal and wood, with a brush as well as with an airbrush.

Enamel, not acrylic — what it is thinned with

This paint is not a water-thinnable acrylic. It is thinned exclusively with the enamel thinner X-20 — without the letter A. The thinner X-20A belongs to the acrylics and must not be mixed with an enamel. Because the X-7 shade is made in an acrylic and an enamel version at the same time, check when buying thinner or topping up the paint that you really have the enamel (synthetic) version. Mixing up the thinner curdles the paint and ruins the finish.

Why reach for an enamel

Once cured, enamel paints give a smooth, mechanically durable surface with excellent adhesion. They dry more slowly than acrylics, which is an advantage when working with a brush — the paint has time to level out by itself and leaves no brush strokes behind. The gloss finish is at the same time a good base under decals, which do not silver on it. Enamels are also the classic medium for washes and panel line highlighting over a cured acrylic base: once dry, the excess can be wiped away carefully without disturbing the acrylic layer underneath.

Use

• Racing and sports finishes of cars and motorcycles
• Fire and rescue vehicles, red parts of machines and tools
• Warning elements, markings, small details and interiors
• Airbrush and brush; for spraying the paint is thinned with X-20 thinner (the manufacturer gives roughly 2 parts thinner to 10 parts paint as a guide)

A tip on red

Red pigment is among the poorer covering ones. Apply it therefore over a light base — a white or light gray undercoat. Without it you will need many coats and the shade will look dark and muddy. Always rather several thin coats than one heavy one.

Who the paint is for

For modelers of all levels who build cars, motorcycles, vehicles and figures and want a rich gloss red shade with a durable surface.

Safety: flammable liquid. It irritates the respiratory tract — work in a well-ventilated area and use respiratory protection when spraying with an airbrush. Keep out of the reach of children. Thinner and tool cleaning: X-20.