I have a few questions regarding the stuff. If I undercoat a model with Vallejo Acrylics, and then airbush a camo Tamiya paint thinned with their lacquer thinner, will it harm/ craze the underlying vallejo paint?

I am also having a VERY hard time finding a store that has the stuff in stock- any help will be GREATLY appreciated

Tamiya's own laquer thinner is quite benign and shouldn't affect cured Vallejo primer. That said I have never used Vallejo primer, but have used enamel based primers that were also unaffected after dry.

I have been hording my one jar of Tamiya laquer thinner.

I did find that plain old Home Depot "Klean Strip" brand medium drying laquer thinner worked just fine with Tamiya acrylic paint.

G

Jon,
I have done this before and have never had any issues. Like Wayne said, be sure your Vallejo Paint is fully cured just to be safe.
As for the thinner, I would suggest trying to find either Gaianotes -or- Mr. Hobby's "Mr. Color Thinner". These both work excelent however they will likely need to be sourced from the internet dealers as I have never found either one in a hobby shop.

Ahh, thanks gurus. Looks like my debit card will get some more action soon enough

I always use Tamiya's lacquer based primer, so I can't comment on that part of your question. I can attest that any store brand Lacquer Thinner works well with Tamiya Acrylics. Haven't used it with Model Master Acrylics as I now have quite a large stash of Tamiya X-20A.

The use of thinner seems to break down the paint pigment particles so the end result is even a smoother finish then what you would get if you thinned the Tamiya paint with their X-20A thinner.

i am unsure of where I heard this, and i admit ive never tried it, but allegedly windshield washer fluid is a suitable substitute for Tamiya thinner..and as i say, Ive never tried it, and dont know if its true..|

You might try Klean Strip Green Lacquer Thinner Substitute, it's a non-petroleum based thinner.

I've used it with great results, it has less odor, doesn't attack the plastic and cleans up much easier the Tamiya's thinner or normal lacquer thinner.

Should be available at most ACE hardwares.

I bought mine at luckymodels.com, and I just checked and they have it in stock.
here is a link. http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?department=PAINT&paintbrand=TAM&painttype=OT&paint_item_no=TA%2087077