Will you get the same results thinning/cleaning with designated airbrush thinner than the regular kind you get at hardware stores?

Hi Machu, there have been a few discussions on this forum about this issue. There are guys who use the correct thinner for thinning and cleaning and others who buy more general types of thinning liquids. I always use the correct thinner for thinning the paint and for cleaning. One reason is that I sometimes use Tamiya paints and I believe their thinner contains a retardant which stops the paint drying too quickly so preventing the nozzle clogging up. If you do a search of the forums you will find some excellent comments and can then pick which answers are best for you.

Martin

With enamals I always use the brand thinner. since I mostly use model master paints I use MOdel master thinner to thin em.. and since the thinner is a bit costly $5 to $6 for a small can I use Low odar thinner I buy at Wal-Mart to clean my airbrush.. cost is around .99 cents a pint and it does a pretty good job. and since its so cheap I send quite a bit though the airbrush when I'm finished with it.

I use a regular paint thinner. After cleaning it with a thinner, I clean it again with soap and water to remove the thinner thus preventing corrossion caused by the thinner left.

For enamels I always use turpentine, for acryls water with the addiction of 10/20% ammonia and after that, for both, another run of water and liquid dish soap and the final one with just water.
Ciao

I have used hardware store thinner for years, both to clean brushes and to thin solvent based paint. I have never had a problem in the airbrush or with my brushes or with adhesion. The only time I used Testor's Airbrush thinner was when a can was included in a yard sale lot of paints and supplies. I'd rather put my money to models and paints than to $96 a gallon thinner.