Thinning ratio for tamiya paint sparing

[Olivetti20]

I've finally got my airbrush working for my 1st go at spraying.
I'm unsure as to the ratio of thinners/paint i should use.I've tried spraying the underside of a 1/48 Hornet,and ive already filled the cup 4 times,with a mix of 50/50. (Maybe thats normal).I'd just like to know how you pro's do it.It's mr hobby leveller thinners by the way.
Thank you

[Guest]

If you’re going through your paint faster than you’d like, turn down the pressure a bit. It’s a bit of a juggling act, though, between enough pressure to spray well and not so much pressure you run out of paint.

[Olivetti20]

If you’re going through your paint faster than you’d like, turn down the pressure a bit. It’s a bit of a juggling act, though, between enough pressure to spray well and not so much pressure you run out of paint.

Thanks but what about the ratio too?

[Guest]

Honestly? I have no idea. I always just pour some thinner into the paint in my airbrush cup until it looks right, then try spraying. If it doesn’t spray well I add more thinner or more paint, depending on whether the paint sputters or runs.

[stillp]

50 - 50 is a good starting point.
Pete

[Olivetti20]

Honestly? I have no idea. I always just pour some thinner into the paint in my airbrush cup until it looks right, then try spraying. If it doesn’t spray well I add more thinner or more paint, depending on whether the paint sputters or runs.

So not getting the ratio exactly the same,will not affect the paint shade,but just the viscosity?

[Guest]

So not getting the ratio exactly the same,will not affect the paint shade,but just the viscosity?

Correct.

You could argue that the thinner paint will be slightly more transparent, so could give a slightly different colour if you don't put enough on, but providing you're going for full coverage rather than advanced technques of building up transparent layers of paint to give tonal variation, it won't be an issue.

[rtfoe]

Correct.

You could argue that the thinner paint will be slightly more transparent, so could give a slightly different colour if you don't put enough on, but providing you're going for full coverage rather than advanced technques of building up transparent layers of paint to give tonal variation, it won't be an issue.

Best explanation so far.

Cheers,
Richard

[Tim Marlow]

Agree completely. Only caveat is with civilian cars etc. In that case it pays to use the same number of paint coats on each sub assembly so the shades are the same. Lighter doors or a darker bonnet stand out in some cases, especially reds or blues which are inherently transparent and will be modified slightly by the primer colour This is not an issue with military equipment.

[Guest]

You have my career in a nutshell there Tim!

Not only do I have to find the correct colour (eased these days by fancy photospectrometers and computer software) but I have to match how it was previously applied, either by the factory or Fred in his shed :smiling5: With some of the fancy colours that are currently in trend, with their tinted clear layers (equivalent to a filter on a scale model), it's not always as easy as it looks.

I've seen many a "show car" that was painted in pieces and can only be displayed with the doors/bonnet/boot open as noting quite matches.

[Jim R]

Hi Gary
Your question about paint thinning has been asked many, many times and there is, unfortunately, no definitive answer. There are so many variables. What paint effect are you after, what colour paint (different Tamiya paint colours have a different viscosity), is it a new pot of paint or has it been used (a half used pot will often be thicker than a new pot), what airbrush, what air pressure etc - even the temperature can have an effect.
Many places will say thin to the consistency of semi skimmed milk - that does actually make sense.
With practice you'll get "a feel" for airbrushing.

Honestly? I have no idea. I always just pour some thinner into the paint in my airbrush cup until it looks right, then try spraying. If it doesn’t spray well I add more thinner or more paint, depending on whether the paint sputters or runs.

I do just the same except I mix in a separate container.
I know I haven't helped much but just keep at it and you'll be spraying like a pro in no time.
Jim

[Guest]

I do just the same except I mix in a separate container.

I should really do that too, but the wasted paint sits wrong with me, and it’s an extra thing to clean

I know I haven't helped much but just keep at it and you'll be spraying like a pro in no time.

Or at least, like the rest of us who aren’t pros

[rtfoe]

Guys, even the pros have their off days...they probably have taken years just to approximately balance the amount of paint thinning to their own liking and it takes practice and not an instant thing for today's world. One of the joys of the hobby is discovering the level of achievement at the next stage or build.

Cheers,
Richard

[Olivetti20]

Best explanation so far.

Cheers,
Richard

Yes he's earned his title!

[Guest]

Yes he's earned his title!

Ha, the nickname comes from my day job, but seems a bit out of place and pretentious now that I've been here for a while. Really wish I'd signed up with my real name :smiling5: