Hello again;
While in my local artist supply store looking for some new brushes the salesperson (lady) asked what I was going to be painting. I explained that I build model armor she then asked what type of paint I use so she could recommend the correct brushes she asked if I used an extender for the acrylic paint. As I had no idea what this stuff is I asked for an explanation and was told that it lenghtens the drying time and makes the paint flow better allowing for more working time. I was wondering if any one has ever heard or tried this stuff. Unfortunatly I don't have a product name but i'm sure there are several brands that all do the same thing.
If any one has any info i'd appreciate hearing from them.

Thanks eh;

ron

Hello, Ron,
Love your avatar!
Acrylic extender does lengthen the drying time. quite useful when blending colors. It also prevents the paint from drying too quickly on the airbrush nozzle or on the way to the model.
I have used the Badger paint brand of extender and experienced no problems. You may have to experiment a bit to determine the amount to add to your paint.
HTH

Ron and Ron,

I think I'm seeing double...

Hi Ron - like the other Ron, I too have seen this extender at my local art supply store, and
it has my attention. The salesman told me that various brands of acrylic extenders,
should not be used with just any acrylic hobby paint.
Would you know if the Badger brand you use, or any other brands that are safe
to use with Polly Scale & Vallejo acrylics ?
- ralph

To start off let me begin way back up north in NJ. I used to do tile work for a builder/contractor. When my business was slow the painters would help me out with some work. These guys were good. In my time of painting with them I learned the use of acrylic paint extenders. I forget the brand name, but I believe that's irrelevent here. Anyways, the stuff worked great! Period. It was like painting with super smooth oils. They did all kinds of faux painting too. Like marblizing and the such. I'd swear by it's beauty in performance.
Back to models. I've never used it in model paints...yet. I think that will soon change. I have a lot of MM acrylic figure paints but, have been hesitant to use them because 1) they are thick, and 2) because being acrylic they will dry fast. Too fast for me to do any kind of blending. I think it's time to give em a whirl.
In the meantime I've found a little discussion on the use of extenders after quite a search. Go to the site via the link below to read some of these interesting and helpful threads.

http://www.bvdijk.com/archive/search.php?sp=0&str=extenders

I hope this helps out a bit, as it has helped me.

Ralph,
I really don't know. I only use it for Badger acrylics. They seem to dry in the air between the AB and the model, so I just put a drop in my paint cup. I have a feeling that if the extender is made for a particular paint it may not work with others. But, on the other hand, experiment.
I know Badger paints are wierd. When I first got some I tried thinning with alcohol....WRONG...stuff started drying in my AB cup. Had to use lacquer thinner to clean the cup. I don't bother thinning them now. This is the BadgerFlex paints, BTW

Hi Ron - Ok' thanks anyway.
I have the Bader paint line in my Micro-Mark catalog.
Do their matte colors dry dead flat ?

Hi KEN - THANKS - very interesting site.
Did you see that post about using wax paper
and a wet sponge ?
I definitely have to try it out. I think it's a great idea !
- ralph

Thanks for all the input but, could someone tell me if they ever dumped this stuff into
'Polly-Scale' or Tamiya for the purpose of brush painting. This is apparently where this stuff really works the best but, I don't necessarily believe everything a salesperson tells me. I asked at my hobby shop but as he doesn't sell it he doesn't have much knowlege of it.
One point made at the hobby shop was if the stuff was made to put in model paints the manufacturers would market their own not let the artist supply stores get the sales.
Thanks again;

Ron


P.S. I picked the Avatar because I kind of look like him. Same beard anyway.

Hi guys,

I'm new here but I have been researching Vallejo paints for a while. I recall that they make their own brand of 'extender' for their acrylic line. Hope that helps!