I managed to construct my M113A2 to about 80% and is just about ready for the airbrushing phase but after reading quite a good number of threads up here, i decided to try it out and highlight the panels of the tank using one of the methods mentioned, which was to thin down artist oil paints using lacquer thinner and paint the sides of the panels. Things just went down hill from here....

First Hint of my mistake:
Tried to transfer a small portion of lacquer thinner to a small glass bottle and spilled a little on my cutting board. As i wiped the access away, i noticed it ate into the cutting board measurement grids. I figured it would only be corrosive on softer plastic and carried on with the mix.

Second and final hint of a mistake:

Used my white painting pallette and added some black artist oil and poured in a small portion of lacquer thinner onto the pallette. As i was trying to mix it up, i noticed white colour started surfacing into the mixture. Took my brush and stirred it a little and to my surprise, the surface of the palette was coming off! It didnt take a scientist to figure out then that it was going to permanently damage the kit if it got on it.

I assure you the bottle of thinner didnt read hydrochloric acid which really comes to my question....can artist oil be thinned using lacquer thinner? If so, is there a specific type of lacquer thinner i should be looking for?

I've read the article here on armorama on the basics of oil painting which recommended not to thin the oils. However, assuming you wanted to thin it anyway, what would you use and please do advise me if it should be in a glass or plastic cup when mixing.

Hi jeremy,,

that's was close.
I'm not expert using oil paints nor expert in other type of paints as well..
i'm quite surprise to learn what the thinner did to your pallete. Are you sure it's not written HCl or H2SO4..?? haha
i never face this kind of problem while dealing with lacquer thinner. They never 'ate' my pallete.
But i never mix lacquer thinner with oil paint. I use tupertine or something mineral spirit. While i read that you're using the expensive artist oil, then u may use the extra refined turpertine. I use the one made my Windsor Newton...smell good also..

i believe someone else here got better explanation than me.

my 2 cents

Wow... that was a close call indeed...
Glad you realized how corrosive lacquer thinner (i'm assuming industrial lacquer thinner) is and didn't apply it onto your 80% built M113. I made that mistake once and decided never to use industrial lacquer thinner to do my painting... those industrial lacquer thinner is used just for cleaning. Better to spend the extra few dollars and get proper lacquer thinner for painting.

As for thinning oil... I won't use lacquer thinner but instead turpentine or white spirit.

Yes it does appear to be industrial lacquer thinner although on the description, it is meant for painting but im guessing its for house paintings or the likes of it not model painting. I did purchase it from the local hardware store and it comes in those huge 1 litre can.

Since then i have placed it in the garage and definitely wont be seeing that on my modelling desk again.

I will try turpentine perhaps. I have read that some people use enamel thinner to thin oil paints...anyone tried this before?

Jeremy, I use turpenoid, which is a mild, clear, odorless turpentine substitute, to thin my artist oils. Works great with W&N oils and does not effect plastic or my cutting board. Use it for washes and anything else I need to do with oils. It also cleans brushes or knives or plastic pallets. My brand is made by Martin F. Weber Co in Philadelphia, but I bought it where I buy my oils. You can probably find a suitable substitute wherever you buy your art supplies. Can also be used to thin varnishes. It is really good, no offensive smell, and doesn't harm plastic in any way.

Im not sure what the NZ equivalent of that will be but i will try asking around in the local hardware store.

Incidentally, what do you use to thin varnish like the Humbrol Satin Gloss?

I have never used lacquer thinner for oil or any paint for that. I use the odorless mineral spirits for thinning paint as well as cleaning the brush.

Its also good that you discovered that problem even before you used it on the kit - and thanks also for giving us a hint.

Cheers

i use mineral spirits to thin Humbrol satin/gloss/matt coat...

i use a number of brands sold in hardware stores

NEVER----NEVER---- use lacquer thinner for your wash....... much too hot, will remove your previous coats of paint in a heart beat. And will also dissolve your plastic, just like your pallet started to do.
If you want to make an oil wash, turps, or mineral (white) spirits.

Lacquer thinner is extremely dangerous when applied/spilled directly on plastic. It contains unfriendly chemical (e.g. ketone much like those found in nail polish) that will eat plastic. These thinners are only used for thinning lacquer paints prior airbrushing. Check with your local art stores to obtain some turps or mineral spirits.