Before I start work on my new model, I want to set this straight. I have the following paints -

Model Masters (testors) acrylics
Tamiya Color enamel paints
Humbrol Enamels

I dont have the thinner for the specific brands.
I suppose that the acrylics can be thinned with distilled water, but what shall I use to thin the enamels?

I have a bottle of acetone (nail polish remover) that I use to remove unwanted paints from the plastic surface & I have used it as thinner before on some other paints. Can I use it on these enamels?
Cheers & thanks in advance,
WD.

i WOULD NOT USE THE ACETONE TO THIN THESE ENAMELS. Besides being harsh, acetone is not the recommended thinner for these paints. I would recommend a generic low odor mineral spirits for the above mentioned enamels. More bang for your buck than buyimng the said brands thinner, which is essentially the same thing.

And yes, you can use water to thin the acrylics but try a drop or two of isopropyl alcohol. Makes acrylic flow much better I think.

Here's what would I typically use (aside from the branded thinner that MUST be used)

1. Enamels/oils - hardware paint thinner
2. acrylics - tap water/distilled water (in other words, clean water)
3. laquers - hardware laquer thinner.

Acrylics and enamel thinners does not mix

I am in agreement with Ralph except for the acrylics. Tamiya and MM acrylics and found that, for whatever reason, the Tamiya thinner works better than alcohol for thinning (alcohol works better than water for me). I still use alcohol for cleaning but the Tamiya thinner has resulted in more even airbrush flow and less spattering.

Hey there WildDog.....

For best results, you should really use the thinner that the particular brand of paint makes for their paints. It may seem like a steep price to pay initially, but the results are well worth it.

However.....

For Acrylics, you can use distilled water, rubbing alcohol, wind sheild washer fluid, or a mixture of them. Rubbing alcohol and windsheild washer fluid work a little better because they make the paint flow a little better, but the draw back is that they can dry faster, sometimes too fast and can clog the airbrush as the paint can dry before it leaves the AB. So sometimes a mixture of alcohol and water, or Windsheid washer fluid and water. A mix of 50/50 should be good.


Now.....as far as mixing your paints.....some have a little bit different.

MM Acrylics are just about thin enough to airbrush right out of the bottle, a couple of drops of thinner should be all you need to thin them out for airbrushing.

Tamiya Acrylic paints are a little thicker out of the bottle, I usually thin mine at least 50/50 thinner to paint, or more. Sometimes I actually thin the paint a little more than that, helps with paint flow when you are at low air pressure, which helps you achieve finer lines without as much overspray.

Although I have never used Humbrol paints to airbrush with, I am assuming they are similar to other enamel paints. You can use an enamel thinner, mineral spirits, turpentine, or just plain paint thinner. Thin it about 80% paint to 20% thinner and you should be good to go.

Hope that is what you are looking for.

Thanks alot fellas I will get the required stuff.

This just occured to me. I can get the academy thinner that comes in the academy enamels paint set. Can I use that with the Humbrol & Tamiya enamels?