Hi all
what is best way to thin Tamiya paint for airbrush.
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Thinning Tamiya paints
Thundergrunt
Joined: November 01, 2009
KitMaker: 657 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2016 - 09:18 AM UTC
Epi
Joined: December 22, 2001
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2016 - 09:25 AM UTC
Tamiya thinner or I like to use Isopropyl Alcohol.
Thundergrunt
Joined: November 01, 2009
KitMaker: 657 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2016 - 11:00 AM UTC
Thanks got it, now the problem I have is my Tamiya rattle can Flat coat is Frosty when it dries and just ruined my metallic spray job for my tracks arrggh. Any tips on how that. Anyone.
Viper_msk
Joined: February 14, 2015
KitMaker: 53 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2016 - 01:28 PM UTC
Hi Eugene,
it would be good if you'd start by letting us know which kind of Tamiya paints you use (enamel or acrylic)... and which exact varnish caused the problem.
it would be good if you'd start by letting us know which kind of Tamiya paints you use (enamel or acrylic)... and which exact varnish caused the problem.
retiredyank
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2016 - 02:28 PM UTC
I used to thin Tamiya acryls, with isopropyl alcohol. I was always rewarded, with a rough texture. Use Tamiya lacquer thinner or Mr. Leveling Thinner. You can add a couple of drops of Windex as a flow improver. Thinning Tamiya lacquer can be done, with either of the thinning agents I listed.
bots1141
Joined: October 14, 2013
KitMaker: 318 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2016 - 02:30 PM UTC
If you are using acrylic paint, mix it with Tamiya acrylic thinner with a 50/50 mix. Also get some Tamiya paint retarder and mix that in with about 10%.
Tojo72
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2016 - 05:55 PM UTC
Either Tamiya XF-20 or their Lacquer Thinner work well with their acrylic line.It can be done with alchohol,but you get better results with the thinners.
Namabiiru
Associate Editor
#399
Joined: March 05, 2014
KitMaker: 2,888 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2016 - 10:44 PM UTC
Another thing to keep in mind is that thinning Tamiya acrylics with iso alcohol will result in a dead flat finish regardless whether you started with gloss or semi-gloss paint. That may work to your advantage or not depending on what your desired end state is, but something to be aware of.
Viper_msk
Joined: February 14, 2015
KitMaker: 53 posts
Armorama: 53 posts
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2016 - 10:48 PM UTC
And, by the way, for the Tamiya acrylics the thinner to paint ratio should be about 4:1 (yes, 4 parts thinner to 1 part paint, not vice versa) for base coat and 6:1 for the thin lines (e.g. small camo lines).
ceerosvk
Joined: November 25, 2013
KitMaker: 171 posts
Armorama: 170 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 12:11 AM UTC
for acrylics i use the origina thinner and aim for a milk-like consistency of the paint while sprayed (the riight amounts differ from color to color). it's quite cheap and works perfectly 
for enamels (which i use really rarely) i use a simple white spirit, you need nothing more.
for enamels (which i use really rarely) i use a simple white spirit, you need nothing more.
Hisham
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 12:33 AM UTC
If I may add my experience.. I've gotten the best results by thinning Tamiya acrylics with either Tamiya lacquer thinner (70:30 thinner to paint at about 10 psi) when I'm doing cammo and small areas.. or with Gunze Mr Color leveling thinner (about the same dilution and a little higher pressure) when I'm doing a base coat over a large area.. The paint gives excellent coverage and goes down wet and perfectly smooth.
Hisham
Hisham
parrot
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 1,607 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 03:16 AM UTC
I use Tamiya thinner.Container lasts a long time and a 50-50 or 50-40% mix always works well.
Just my cents.
Tom
Just my cents.
Tom
Thundergrunt
Joined: November 01, 2009
KitMaker: 657 posts
Armorama: 481 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 03:27 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Eugene,
it would be good if you'd start by letting us know which kind of Tamiya paints you use (enamel or acrylic)... and which exact varnish caused the problem.
I did not know there was enamel ones, I thought they were all Acryillc.. anyway it was German Grey and metallic gray were the paints. and the tracks came out nice thanks to your advice on thinning consistency, now my big problem is I sprayed the Tamiya Flat coat and now they look frosted.
ian1066
Joined: May 16, 2010
KitMaker: 16 posts
Armorama: 15 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 03:39 AM UTC
In my experience, a frosted look results from spraying too thick a coat of flat varnish. Several thin coats is the way to go rather than one thick one. This information gained from painful experience!
darklen
Joined: September 16, 2003
KitMaker: 72 posts
Armorama: 70 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 03:41 AM UTC
I use 99% Iso for painting, mixed 2-1 thinner to paint. When I prime, I mix with lacquer thinner instead but use the same ratio.
I don't use Tamiya flat clear but I do recall some time ago it's not supposed to be sprayed on but mixed in with the paint.
I don't use Tamiya flat clear but I do recall some time ago it's not supposed to be sprayed on but mixed in with the paint.
Hisham
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 04:05 AM UTC
Quoted Text
but I do recall some time ago it's not supposed to be sprayed on but mixed in with the paint
That's the X21 Flat Base that's supposed to be mixed with the paint.. The flat clear is sprayed on like the gloss clear.
Hisham
Thundergrunt
Joined: November 01, 2009
KitMaker: 657 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 04:59 AM UTC
His thanks for the input I forgot to say it was the flat clear in the spray can.
Grauwolf
#084
Joined: September 14, 2005
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Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 05:11 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Either Tamiya XF-20 or their Lacquer Thinner work well with their acrylic line.It can be done with alchohol,but you get better results with the thinners.
That should be Tamiya XF20A...for acrylics.
The XF 20 thinner is for enamels only.
Cheers,
joe
tatbaqui
News Writer#040
Joined: May 06, 2007
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Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 05:23 AM UTC
Best to stick with what Tamiya, as the manufacturer, offers: Its enamel thinners for its enamels paints, and likewise its acrylic thinners for its acrylic paints. For AB work aim for that milk-like consistency -- the test is for the mixed / thinned paint go off the stirrer one drop at a time. Cheers
Armorsmith
Joined: April 09, 2015
KitMaker: 1,063 posts
Armorama: 1,000 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - 06:20 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Let it dry thoroughly and try spraying them with Future or other clear gloss. If you are lucky it will eliminate the frosting and you can give it another go. If this will be your final matt coat I recommend Testors Dullcoat. Good luck.
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