I'm thinking of getting some LifeColor paints for air-brushing, but I was wondering about the following...
# Do they need to be thinned for air-brushing or not?
# If they need thinning, can I thin them with water, or do I need to get the same brand thinner....and what percentage thinner should be used?
Thanks
Hisham
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Question about LifeColor paints
Hisham
Joined: July 23, 2004
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Posted: Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 04:01 AM UTC
bison126
Joined: June 10, 2004
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Posted: Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 04:43 AM UTC
I found they are thinner than Tamiya paints for instance. But I usually still thin them with tap water and this works pretty well.
Olivier
Olivier
Hisham
Joined: July 23, 2004
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Posted: Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 06:52 AM UTC
Thanks for your reply and your advice, Olivier.
Hisham
Hisham
Spiderfrommars
Joined: July 13, 2010
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Posted: Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 07:10 AM UTC
Hi Hisham
Lifecolor paints have to be thinned absolutely
I don't know. as far as I know Tamiya thinner with lifecolor paints produce a huge mess....
Lifecolor paints are vinyl based, you can use water (but your paint coat will be less proof), its diluant, Valleyo thinner (which you should try before) or a screenwash
In Italy to thin them we use a cheap screen washer called "Vetril"
It works perfectly!
Probably you can find something similar where you live .
cheers
Lifecolor paints have to be thinned absolutely
I don't know. as far as I know Tamiya thinner with lifecolor paints produce a huge mess....
Lifecolor paints are vinyl based, you can use water (but your paint coat will be less proof), its diluant, Valleyo thinner (which you should try before) or a screenwash
In Italy to thin them we use a cheap screen washer called "Vetril"
It works perfectly!
Probably you can find something similar where you live .
cheers
Hisham
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 10:01 PM UTC
Thanks, Mauro... if by "screen washer" you mean a glass window cleaner, then we have Windex here in Egypt.. maybe that works the same way?
Thanks again, guys
Hisham
Thanks again, guys
Hisham
Grumpyoldman
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Posted: Sunday, November 13, 2011 - 02:29 AM UTC
I use plain old distilled water.
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
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Posted: Sunday, November 13, 2011 - 12:11 PM UTC
Don't use Windex or anything with alcohol or ammonia in it to thin Lifecolor paints. They will destroy the paint. Use distilled water or Lifecolor thinner. Use Vallejo or Medea airbrush cleaner to clean up.
Spiderfrommars
Joined: July 13, 2010
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Posted: Sunday, November 13, 2011 - 08:05 PM UTC
Yes, Vetril is a glass cleaner
There's no ammonia in its composition, basicly is METHOXYPROPANOL. You should try to find a product which have the same substance
I use it without any problem. and italian modeller's magazines say which is the cheaper alternative to the lifecolor thinner....Lots of modellers use a mixture of 50% water and 50% vetril with some drops of paint retarder
Lifecolor thinner has the same smell of Vetril....Lots of italian modellers think that actually is the same product...but Lifecolor thinner is more expensive and most of all less available
There's no ammonia in its composition, basicly is METHOXYPROPANOL. You should try to find a product which have the same substance
I use it without any problem. and italian modeller's magazines say which is the cheaper alternative to the lifecolor thinner....Lots of modellers use a mixture of 50% water and 50% vetril with some drops of paint retarder
Lifecolor thinner has the same smell of Vetril....Lots of italian modellers think that actually is the same product...but Lifecolor thinner is more expensive and most of all less available
GALILEO1
Joined: April 18, 2006
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Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - 07:41 AM UTC
Been reading thread and I'm getting increasingly interested in picking up a couple of sets of these paints again but before I do, I'd like to get your take on the general shelf-life of LC paints....How long do they last in the jar?
Thanks!
Rob
Thanks!
Rob
didgeboy
Joined: September 21, 2010
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Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - 07:55 AM UTC
Matt;
You think you can put up a thread, much like the "finishing and weathering sequence", that lists what is best used to thin each paint type and clean up too. I have been using windex based upon the previously mentioned thread, for my Tamiya paints and had no idea that you would not be able to use that will all acrylic paints. Glad I pay attention some times. I think this info might be really useful to some of us. Cheers.
You think you can put up a thread, much like the "finishing and weathering sequence", that lists what is best used to thin each paint type and clean up too. I have been using windex based upon the previously mentioned thread, for my Tamiya paints and had no idea that you would not be able to use that will all acrylic paints. Glad I pay attention some times. I think this info might be really useful to some of us. Cheers.
Hisham
Joined: July 23, 2004
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Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - 08:01 AM UTC
Quoted Text
How long do they last in the jar?
Good question.. since my builds are slow and far apart.
Generally speaking.. do paints last longer in a cool or warm environment?
Hisham
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
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Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - 02:03 PM UTC
Rob,
My oldest Lifecolor set is 4 or 5 years old and the paint is still as perfect as the day I got it.
I have many bottles of Vallejo 10 years old that are still as good as new.
Damon,
I can do that. I'll try to have a list "stickied - up" tomorrow.
Hisham,
Paint life depends on how long the carrier lasts, if the bottle is airtight, and how it is stored. My paints are in a drawer, out of the light, and have always been kept between 60° and 90° F. I have a bottle of Tamiya XF-2 Flat White that I bought in 1988 and it's still good!
My oldest Lifecolor set is 4 or 5 years old and the paint is still as perfect as the day I got it.
I have many bottles of Vallejo 10 years old that are still as good as new.
Damon,
I can do that. I'll try to have a list "stickied - up" tomorrow.
Hisham,
Paint life depends on how long the carrier lasts, if the bottle is airtight, and how it is stored. My paints are in a drawer, out of the light, and have always been kept between 60° and 90° F. I have a bottle of Tamiya XF-2 Flat White that I bought in 1988 and it's still good!
GALILEO1
Joined: April 18, 2006
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Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 08:18 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextHow long do they last in the jar?
Good question.. since my builds are slow and far apart.
Generally speaking.. do paints last longer in a cool or warm environment?
Hisham
Quoted Text
Hisham,
Paint life depends on how long the carrier lasts, if the bottle is airtight, and how it is stored. My paints are in a drawer, out of the light, and have always been kept between 60° and 90° F. I have a bottle of Tamiya XF-2 Flat White that I bought in 1988 and it's still good!
Reason why I asked is because I did purchase one bottle of this stuff (White, I think) back when Pacific Coast Models was the only one in the U.S. carrying the line and just happened to open it the other day and it was hard and rubbery as one of those pink erasers. I don't know exactly when I bought it but I don't think it was more than 3 years or so ago.
So, I guess the key is to keep them tight and out of the light (even light from a lamp)?
Rob
P.S. Didn't mean to hijack your thread, Hisham...Just wanted to ask something related since we're talking about Life Color paints..
Hisham
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 08:52 AM UTC
You didn't hijack the thread, Rob... I'm glad you brought up the subject of shelf life. The more information discussed.. the more everyone learns 
Hisham
Hisham
bizzphotos
Joined: November 07, 2003
KitMaker: 37 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 - 07:22 AM UTC
I switched to Lifecolors and love them. One think I found out from a friend is not to mixed the color just shake the bottle.
I am not sure what dilution to use when airbrushing but the best results is with life color thinner.
Ken
I am not sure what dilution to use when airbrushing but the best results is with life color thinner.
Ken
easyco69
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 2,275 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 29, 2013 - 10:27 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Yes, Vetril is a glass cleaner
There's no ammonia in its composition, basicly is METHOXYPROPANOL. You should try to find a product which have the same substance
I use it without any problem. and italian modeller's magazines say which is the cheaper alternative to the lifecolor thinner....Lots of modellers use a mixture of 50% water and 50% vetril with some drops of paint retarder
Lifecolor thinner has the same smell of Vetril....Lots of italian modellers think that actually is the same product...but Lifecolor thinner is more expensive and most of all less available
nail polish remover
Tojo72
Joined: June 06, 2006
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Posted: Thursday, August 29, 2013 - 11:43 PM UTC
Lifecolor is great,I thin them with regular tap water with great results
CMOT
Editor-in-Chief
Joined: May 14, 2006
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2013 - 02:20 AM UTC
I have found Lifecolor paints work the most consistently if you use the LifeColor thinner.
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