Armorama :: thinner for oils

AFV Painting & Weathering
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thinner for oils

bairdlander

Joined: May 16, 2007
KitMaker: 53 posts
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Posted: Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 03:47 AM UTC

Attempted to create filters and washes with oil paints.I found the mineral spirits way too harsh.What is a better method to thin the oil paint?

Halbcl2

Manitoba, Canada
Joined: September 10, 2006
KitMaker: 127 posts
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Posted: Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 03:58 AM UTC

I have found that both Ammo MIG and AK Interactive "odourless thinner" work great.

And they also work better for brushing Humbrol than Humbrol's own thinner.

bairdlander

Joined: May 16, 2007
KitMaker: 53 posts
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Posted: Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 04:04 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I have found that both Ammo MIG and AK Interactive "odourless thinner" work great.

And they also work better for brushing Humbrol than Humbrol's own thinner.

Are those enamel thinners or acryllic thinners?

Kevlar06

Contributor's Award - This member has contributed content to Armorama in the past year.

Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
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Posted: Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 04:19 AM UTC

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I have found that both Ammo MIG and AK Interactive "odourless thinner" work great.

And they also work better for brushing Humbrol than Humbrol's own thinner.
Are those enamel thinners or acryllic thinners?

Oils are usually thinned with turpentine. That may also be a little too harsh depending on what type of base coats you use. I recommend coating with a lacquer based flat coat (like Dullcoat) before you use turpentine, even then, go easy on the brushing. By the way, when hand painting faces and details with oils, I like to mix them with lacquer thinners-- they dry much faster that way.
VR, Russ

Doodeck

Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: August 15, 2014
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Posted: Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 04:48 AM UTC

Try white spirit. I never had issues with it over acrylic paint or clear coats.

Knuckles

Oregon, United States
Joined: March 09, 2017
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Posted: Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 05:26 AM UTC

I use Gamsol. VERY gentle on finishes, and no odor.

Halbcl2

Manitoba, Canada
Joined: September 10, 2006
KitMaker: 127 posts
Armorama: 106 posts

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Posted: Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 06:30 AM UTC

"Are those enamel thinners or acryllic thinners?"

They are both enamel thinners. And I have used them over Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics without difficulty. And over Humbrol enamels once dry for a couple of days.

varanusk

Managing Editor
ARMORAMA

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain / España
Joined: July 04, 2013
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Posted: Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 04:38 PM UTC

As Tom, I use odorless thinner as well. Works fine and I have not to test whether it will affect the paint below or not.

Namabiiru

Associate Editor
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS

#399

Rhode Island, United States
Joined: March 05, 2014
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Posted: Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 04:42 PM UTC

Quoted Text

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I have found that both Ammo MIG and AK Interactive "odourless thinner" work great.

And they also work better for brushing Humbrol than Humbrol's own thinner.
Are those enamel thinners or acryllic thinners?

Oils are usually thinned with turpentine. That may also be a little too harsh depending on what type of base coats you use. I recommend coating with a lacquer based flat coat (like Dullcoat) before you use turpentine, even then, go easy on the brushing. By the way, when hand painting faces and details with oils, I like to mix them with lacquer thinners-- they dry much faster that way.
VR, Russ

I have found Turpentine to be far too aggressive for modeling. I use artist white spirit, and it seems to work well.

One thing I have found is that different brands seem to have different formulations and different characteristics so the best thing to do is to experiment on a test model until you find something that works.