I recently purchased several bottles of Testor's Polyscale acrylics for a couple of 1/48 scale WWII Soviet a/c. What do you recommend as the best amount of thinner to use with this line of paints for airbrushing? Any tips or hints or better substitutes for thinners are appreciated.

I've heard it said that wisdom is learning from other peoples mistakes rather than your own. Thanks for your help.

Don't give up.... eventually someone who uses these paints will answer...... Sorry, I use mainly enamels.....

Have you tried water?

Hi Lopper:

While not an expert at airbrushing, I use Pollyscale acrylics a great deal. I have tried distilled water in them and it works okay. I have also used Modelmaster's acrylic thinner as well and it is my preferred thinner. I do not use much thinner, say around 10% or so as the Pollyscale paint is already pretty thin. However, I am afraid you will need to experiment and test first as my results vary depending on the (1) weather and (2) different bottles/colors of paint. Hope this helps.

Keith

Yes I have tried a small amt of water and also Tamiya acrylic thinner. Even a little thinner seemed to be too much. Of course the humidity that day may have also played a small role. The paint was fresh and well mixed. I'll try it without any thinner next. Thanks for your help guys. I suppose I have become accustomed to always using thinner.

I do not recall ever having to thin the newer formulated Polly Scale acrylics to get them through my airbrush. (I think that they are too thin as is.) However, there is an airbrush thinner for the older Polly S formula readily available and not more than a couple of pipette drops in the AB cup has worked well for me. I do however usually save the old Polly S paints for my drybrushing. (And my Polly S paints are old!)

Windshield washer fluid might work as well as that is often mixed with acrylic paints for washes.

I also agree with the windshield wash solution. I have been very pleased with the result. I like the way it breaks the surface tension better than distilled water.
capnjock

I also agree with the windshield wash solution. I have been very pleased with the result. I like the way it breaks the surface tension better than distilled water.
capnjock