Is there a thinner that works for most paints?

[Guest]

I use Tamiya Thinner for Tamiya Acrylics and Testor Thinner for Model Master Acrylics. I want to purchase Vallejo paints online but I dont want to have to purchase a 3rd thinner. Any specific brand of Paint Thinner that handles most if all paints without any issues? Also is rubbing alcohol or ammonia-ted windex?

[Guest]

The simple answer is no! All brands of paint work best with their proprietary thinner.

Companies spend lot's of money developing their paint & the thinners that go with them.

Some people do use rubbing alcohol & even ready-mixed screenwash to thin Tamiya & Vallejo, but I wouldn't recommend this as an option for best results.

Whatever you do, don't use Tamiya thinner with Vallejo paint - you'll end up with a thick gel that's difficult to remove from and airbrush.

[stona]

I agree, though most paints that we call 'enamels' can be thinned with white spirits (mineral spirits US) or cellulose thinners (lacquer thinners US).

Cheers

Steve

[Gern]

Whatever you do, don't use Tamiya thinner with Vallejo paint - you'll end up with a thick gel that's difficult to remove from and airbrush.

And don't use Vallejo thinner with Vallejo metallics for the same reason - at least that's what happened to me when I tried it!

Gern

[Guest]

try looking at UMP thinner... they have a thinning ratio chart, and paints it will/ won't work with..

http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=3016

I think John has it in the shop

[ojays]

I only use Vallejo acrylics, and I have always used tap water.

Never had any problems, but I am a hairy stick painter.

Might not be suitable for air-brushing.

Gregg

[Ian M]

I use Vallejo thinners in both Vallejo (duh) and Xtracyrlix with which it also works very well.

[Dave W]

I only use Vallejo acrylics, and I have always used tap water.Never had any problems, but I am a hairy stick painter.

Might not be suitable for air-brushing.

Gregg

I thin them with tap water for airbrush work and have not had any problems.

[aaron]

I only use Vallejo acrylics, and I have always used tap water.Never had any problems, but I am a hairy stick painter.

Might not be suitable for air-brushing.

Gregg

Tap water for Vallejo is fine in the a/b as well.

Window washing fluid is another favorite of mine for Vallejo

[aaron]

Sorry Dave almost double post of yours.

[John]

try looking at UMP thinner... they have a thinning ratio chart, and paints it will/ won't work with..I think John has it in the shop

I do, you can find it here

[Ian M]

I thin them with tap water for airbrush work and have not had any problems.

Tap water for Vallejo is fine in the a/b as well.Window washing fluid is another favorite of mine for Vallejo

Do you not find that the paint it not as robust? I found it almost powdery and very fragile.. I used distilled water as the water here is so hard it leaves a rim around a glass in no time!

Changing to thinner was a great improvement.

I still maintain that water just dilutes the paint making it weak, whereas thinners will maintain the correct ballance of binders.

Ian M

[Guest]

I would only use the thiiner wedded to the paint manufacturer. I do not see any point in taking chances.

Using Vallejo mostly for airbrushing. Model air and the Vallejo thinners is designed to keep the properties of the paint when thinned ie sticability. It is also designed to help in avoiding blocked airbrushes and reduce surface tension .

Laurie

[Guest]

For acrylics I only use the same make thinners for airbrushing be it vallejo air or model or tamiya , if I`m brush painting vallejo I dilute with a little water ,

Richy