Hi guys!

I've recently started to experience some problems when using Tamiya acrylics and their own Lacquer thinner.I've also tried Mr. Color blue label and levelling thinners to the same effect.

When mixing paint and thinner it blends beautifully. But after a very short time the mix goes out of suspension and the pigment falls to the bottom of the mixing cup like sediment leaving the thinners on top.This also occurs when airbrushing which leads to clogging pretty fast.

I've not had this problem before. Anyone else experienced this?


Regards!

Emil

Sounds like you have a bad bottle. Since I started using lacquer thinner, I have had no problems with it. I left one mix bottle without a cap sit overnight. A few swirls with a toothpick and it sprayed as good as new. This was with a can of generic lacquer thinner. I have also used Floquil and MM/Testors lacquer thinner, with no problem.

I've had this problem using hardware store branded lacquer thinner, which might be too strong. Maybe try mixing the paint up better and see how that works?

I'm trying to picture the problem. Ever since I started using Tamiya or Gunze lacquer thinners (I wouldn't touch hardware stuff for paint thinning) with Tamiya paints I've almost been amazed how well Tamiya sprays at low psi with a very high thinner to paint mixture - maybe 1-2 (paint/thinner) - perfect for slow build ups of color. Much better than A-20. But I also mix the paint immediately before putting it in the color cup and discard any left-over. Are the paint and thinner separating immediately? My mixes are on the model within two minutes max I'd guess.
Eric

Eric,

You keep referring to A20 thinner in many of your posts
regarding Tamiya acrylics.

Just to clarify, as this can cause some confusion with
some modelers.

A20 is the enamel thinner for their oil based paints.

A20A is the acrylic thinner for their acrylic line.

Cheers,
Joe

Shows my vintage - I refer to A20 as an acrylic thinner. I've never seen a Tamiya enamel paint.

I've had fine results with Tamiya and Gunze lacquer thinner but have found that Gunze's "Mr. Color Levelling Thinner 400" is the best of the lot - especially if you want a very thin mix to be sprayed over a very low psi. Tamiya lacquer thinner, however, has milder fumes - don't know if that makes it less aggressive.

I find the matter of fumes increasingly important. I don't have a place that would allow a spray booth. And a couple of years back I went on a "just for the hell of it" quest to see if you could use fluid art acrylics as made by Golden and other top companies (not the craft stuff) on a model. You can very well if you learn how it works. The experience led me to start using Vallejo paints - mostly Model Color which airbrush very nicely if you handle it right. Anyway, I've grown used to painting and increasingly weathering models with stuff that in theory you could drink. I do like it. (Actually, there's a danger involved. I was using Tamiya with Gunze thinner the other day and the fumes quickly reminded me to put on a mask. I often forget when using Vallejo or Golden because you can't smell anything. But, as Golden makes very clear in their web site, the pigments are still there and it would not be a good idea to breath them into your system.)
Eric