Recommendations please

[Mickc1440]

I now have some Xtreme metal paints from AK to airbrush. Can someone recommend what type of cleaner I need to use?
Thanks in anticipation

[KarlW]

Aren't they enamel based?
Cheap turps or mineral spirits for cleaning. Lacquer thinners will also do the job. As will Mr Tool Cleaner.
Flush well with water before going back to acrylics.

[Mickc1440]

Aren't they enamel based?
Cheap turps or mineral spirits for cleaning. Lacquer thinners will also do the job. As will Mr Tool Cleaner.
Flush well with water before going back to acrylics.

Thanks Karl, I've only ever sprayed with acrylics so this is a bit of a learning curve.

[meirion658]

https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/100ml-xtreme-cleaner-ak-interactive-ak-470-p4833/?gclid=Cj0KCQjww4-hBhCtARIsAC9gR3ZSOEv__5aO9wlHxD1JdRtz7cE0I5gQmZ1ZjVAOgukXAlxKcWS4QqoaAtlxEALw_wcB

[KarlW]

Thanks Karl, I've only ever sprayed with acrylics so this is a bit of a learning curve.

Make sure the airbrush is properly clean and free from thinners when changing paint types, or better yet have one dedicated to each.
Wrong thinners and you create something akin to cottage cheese, only more appetising.......

[Mickc1440]

https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/100ml-xtreme-cleaner-ak-interactive-ak-470-p4833/?gclid=Cj0KCQjww4-hBhCtARIsAC9gR3ZSOEv__5aO9wlHxD1JdRtz7cE0I5gQmZ1ZjVAOgukXAlxKcWS4QqoaAtlxEALw_wcB

Thanks for that

Make sure the airbrush is properly clean and free from thinners when changing paint types, or better yet have one dedicated to each.
Wrong thinners and you create something akin to cottage cheese, only more appetising.......

definitely don't want that to clean out

[Flip]

Mick,
I've experimented with those and found it best to use the proper thinners for them (AK470).

A big word of warning though. Don't use any of the traditional PS glues (including even Tamiya Extra Thin) anywhere near them as the glues INSTANTLY destroy the metallic finish.
You also need to lay it down like a lacquer, in multiple very thin layers. Put on too thick and the base coat is reactivated and your paint job goes black.

Personally, I found that the Tamiya LP-1 (Gloss Black) is the best undercoat for the metallics. In fact, I have migrated to Tamiya lacquers because of the glue intolerance described above.
Scale Model Shop has the full range of the Tamiya lacquers. I used them in the build of the Airfix kit (Last Flight of the Concorde) which has gunmetal-painted engines (Tamiya LP-19). No glue attack at all.

Hope this helps.

John

[Mickc1440]

Mick,
I've experimented with those and found it best to use the proper thinners for them (AK470).

A big word of warning though. Don't use any of the traditional PS glues (including even Tamiya Extra Thin) anywhere near them as the glues INSTANTLY destroy the metallic finish.
You also need to lay it down like a lacquer, in multiple very thin layers. Put on too thick and the base coat is reactivated and your paint job goes black.

Personally, I found that the Tamiya LP-1 (Gloss Black) is the best undercoat for the metallics. In fact, I have migrated to Tamiya lacquers because of the glue intolerance described above.
Scale Model Shop has the full range of the Tamiya lacquers. I used them in the build of the Airfix kit (Last Flight of the Concorde) which has gunmetal-painted engines (Tamiya LP-19). No glue attack at all.

Hope this helps.

John

Many thanks for the heads up John that’s really useful to know