So I purchased Windex that contains ammonia and alcohol. I also purchased some Turpentine. I've read posts that Windex can be used as an all around Acrylic Thinner& AB Cleaner. If its the case I would save me alot of money on Tamiya and Testor thinners and Cleaner, but i'll have to experiment. I purchased the turpentine because AK interactive spirits are rarely sold at my local Anchorage, AK shops and when they are, the cost is about $17.00 US for a small 2oz container. I'll experiment with it but I would love to hear any tips and tricks for both their uses in painting, also any cautionary tales of how not to use them in painting. What are some other cleaners est....that can be used. I've seen some other people talk about a cleaner called Klear, that makes an amazing clear coat (correct me if i'm wrong). Thank you.

Do not use Windex, with Vallejo. You can thin Tamiya acryls, with it. However, your best buy is Tamiya lacquer thinner or Tamiya acryl thinner. Any substitutes tend to clog or bead. The best place to buy Tamiya paint products is scalehobbyist.com . They are also the least expensive for most major brands.

I don't mind paying for Tamiya thinner for the painting, but I guess the Windex would be a good and cheap substitute as an AB cleaner right? No need to flush out my AB with expensive AB cleaners.

Hi,
I've been using the British version of Windex, (Windolene), for a few years now, for cleaning my AB. It works a treat. As I use Vallejo, I then flush it well with water.

I clean my ab with generic lacquer thinner and an ultra-sonic cleaner($5 on eBay). I replace the plastic cup, with a glass jar. I've tried cleaners designed for ab's, but they don't work half as well.

I am sure someone stated that it attacks the seals in the airbrush.

If you do use windex make sure you rinse thoroughly with water afterward. The ammonia will attack plastic and metal over time.

Hi Javier, You just reminded me … I need to order cleaner soon: 32oz Medea Airbrush Cleaner. I transfer it from the big bottle to a smaller one for day-to-day use. I get the 32oz size because it lasts a really long time and saves on shipping.

FYI: I've been using Vallejo Acrylics and Vallejo Thinner (71.161) along with a drop of Liquitex Airbrush Medium (for flow consistency).

—mike

PS:Glad the Grex valve worked out for you.

Hey Javier,

Just my 2cents. I started thinning Vallejo Model color with Blue Windshield Washer fluid and it works AWESOME in my Iwata Eclipse AB. For brush painting i thin with distilled Water. I also tried using a tad of Windshield Washer fluid with Vallejo Air with great results as well. Dont have a clue how it differs from Windex Chemically though, i just know it worked when Windex didnt do the trick.

Tamiya on the other hand - i use Klean-Strip Lacquer Thinner or Tamiya Yellow Top thinner to thin for Air Brushing. I prefer the Klean-Strip as its cheaper and the Tamiya paint really performs well with it and i personally never have any Tip drying or clogging issues....ever!

For Glossing i use Future/Pledge/Klear (same stuff) works great! A bottle last a LONG time and its CHEAP - it dries nicely and is very durable too.

For workin with and thinning oils and enamel washes i use Klean-Strip Odorless Mineral Spirits and it works great too.

Cheers
Gary

Not to mention that if there's ammonia in what you use as a thinner, the ammonia can affect (weaken) the binders in acrylic paint. I always try to add some compatible clear acrylic medium to counter this. Future seems to work for this in a fair number of cases.

Ive used used alchol for years it works great for thinning and cleaning for most brand of paints .

Alcohol has a tendency to cause the paint to dry out. I used it for years, with Tamiya acryls, before I switched to the Tamiya thinners. There is a world of difference.