I getting ready to airbrush a Tamiya IJA Type 97 tank. I cannot find the right dilutions for airbrushing. I plan on using Tamiya acrylic and humbre enamel paints. I have a Paasche double action interan mix.

Thanks for the help

Ken Bizzigotti
Poughkeepsie, NY

Usually I thin at a 50% paint to 50% thinner doesn't matter if acryl or enamel. For further applications after the basecoat i thin the paint up to 90%...
Ciao

No matter what brand or type of paint you're gonna use, the rule of the thumb on airbrush painting is that you thin the paint to a watery consistency (the paint should drip off your stirring stick, not run)

Mix the paint and thinner. After that, lift the stirring stick, if the paint runs (long string), it's not thin enough. Mix it some more. If it is now dripping (as in drops) from the stick, you're good to go.

What to use for stirring? Toothpicks (for the smaller bottles), popsicle sticks or those plastic stirring sticks you can get at your nearest Starbucks or any similar coffee shop.

Postscipt:

Don't worry about the paint being to watery, the trick is to spray layers of light coats on the model. It would take many passes. Don't try to apply them all in one go otherwise you'll ruin the model.

You'll have to choose what you would want to use, acylics or enamels. You can't mix both. Or if you like, you'll have to use them separately.

I find that a ratio of about 3 parts Tamiya thinner and 2 parts Tamiya acrylic FLAT paint works well for me with my Paasche VL.
If you are using Tamiya GLOSS acrylics the ratio is closer to 3 thinner and 1 part paint.
I find I get pretty good coverage with this formula. Just make sure your paints are well mixed before using.