Hi, I've been trying to airbrush Humbrol paints through my Badger 155, but after a few moments it dries in the airbrush. I've tried thinning it with Revell thinner (works for Modelmaster paints). I've also tried various paint/thinner ratios, but to no avail.
How do you thin Humbrol ??
Thanks for any help

when using in airbrushs-I thin the Humbrol paints in a ratio of 2:1...... 2 parts thinner to 1 part enamel. the results are good for me. when painting several coats of paint with the airbrush -there will be a break period between coats and this can cause the paint dry . if the paint chamber of your airbrush has no cover you can cover it with a paper band when you have a break and you can stir the paint and thinner in the chamber with a tooth pick before second use.

Hi mossieramm,
sorry to hear of your problems.
Bearing in mind I use here in hot dry Saudi the basic Humbrol airbrush, and I use only Humbrol enamels.
I mix it approximately one third thinners (Humbrol or Ace) to two thirds paint and have relatively few problems.

I'm no expert with "exotica" such as the Badger 155, but have you tried backing of the air a little. Sounds like too much air and not enough paint. Or it might be too much pressure.

Or the needle might be too fine...??? There are thick medium and fine needles available. The medium one is likely to be the best all-rounder...?

Hope you solve the problem.
I'm sure more expert advise will be a long soon.

Cheers
Peter

mossieramm

I airbrush mainly with Humbrol enamels and I use their thinner with the paint. I then use lacquer thinners for clean up - although on occasions I have got myself a bit mixed up and used the lacquer thinners to thin the paint and the results have been just as good.

I have a couple of tins of the Revell paints - not that common in this part of Australia - but no Revell thinner and haven't put them through the airbrush yet.

Regards

Brian

The few times I have used my new and first airbrush. I have used Humbrols own enamel thinner. A bit expensive thinner, but it worked fine.

I just wonder if the different brands of thinner are actually all that different from eachother?... I've been using the housebrand of a local do it yourself shop overhere, very cheap, and I never had any problems...

Hi,

Try using using a 50:50 mix of your favourite Humbrol and Laquer Thinner. Been using this for a while now and seems to work great. Not to mention it is cheap as well. Downside is the fumes.

Cheers,
Gabe

I'm getting the sinking feeling that I've got the right ingredients, but might be doing something wrong.
Thanks for your input.

I've been using for a long time now, plain good old synthetic paint thinner form the local DIY. Mix it 50/50 with my Humbrol paint and never failed me no matter what AB I use. Clean up with acetone and rinse with 70% ethanol.

Kris

Yep, same here. I've got a big can of mineral spirits, and thin Humbrol with that. Never had a problem.

In my opinion, they are different. I have tried a few different options for thinning humbrols. but always come back to their own thinner. Ive tried balsamic turps, whitespirit, the lot ... but have never been happy with them. Some of these thinners have a tendency to break up or seperate again after mixing, leaving all the pigment at the bottom of the brush and clogging it. I´ll stick to humbrols own enamel thinner and suggest you at least start here. I would consider it the best and easyist and then afterwards when you try out cheaper options, at least you know what you should compare it to. good luck and happy spraying.

I use a substitute enamel thinner I get from the paint shop. Better value for money then buying the humbrol one. I also use this for cleaning.

I thin my humbrol down at 1 part thinner to 2 parts paint and never have any problems with it drying to quick.

Humbrol clear coats I thin at 1 part thinners to 3 parts of varnish as the varnish is very thin to start with.

I've not been able to find the Humbrol thinner here in the States, I don't know if it's even available. But I agree, if you can get the manufactures thinner, that's often the best to use, but if not...
Mineral spirits have always worked for me, but I am far from the expert on enamels, I usually use acrylics.

Hi all and thanks for your replies. Just the other day I was able to lay my hands on some Humbrol thinner. So I thought I would try it straight away. Guess what happened next......my compressor has died, kaput.
I'll see what happens when I use the thinner for brushpainting.