Does anyone know what type of paint MTH uses on their passenger cars?

In case it helps, the finish on MTH cars is almost certainly acrylic or at least not enamel. Touching up or refinishing with enamel whether brushed on or sprayed is a little risky in my experience. I have found Tru-Color acrylics (mostly available in both brush and spray mixtures) to be be the best option in terms of color matching and ease of use.

But you asked about compatibility and putting enamel over acrylic is not something I would do for fear of longer term issues about the two bonding and the length of time most enamels take to set.

if you are not going to strip the old paint first, then try your enamel paint in an inconspicuous place like the inside of the car body

I think enamel would be ok to use.

Bob C.

MTH Paint is pretty tough. No acrylic paint will harm it nor will any of the common train model solvent paints like Floquil, Tru Color, and Scalecoat. No experience with hardware store rattle cans.

The only problem I have with MTH cars is I have never been able to match their Pullman green. Nothing works out of the bottle nor do dozens of tries at mixing.

Close but no cigar.

Pete

It is acrylic?? I was going to put an enamel primer first. Shoot at one point I was going to spray with acrylic but I thought it wouldn't be durable enough so I went with enamel. I was thinking they were moduled color but once I opened up the car I could see it was sprayed with paint.

I really don't know what kind of paint MTH uses but even if it was acrylic its pretty tough. Cars today are being painted with water base paint to give you an idea. I never got the knack for acrylic but many here use it exclusively.  No worries on durability.

Pete