Hello folks,

Need some help: What is the recommended relation of isopropyl alcohol:acrylic paint, for a good and smooth appearance on AFV kits?
My experience has been bad. The resulting paint is grainy(almost like sandpaper)and has a dull aspect. Not real at all, contrary to the results when using enamels.
I heard some people add a little bit of window cleaner, to break surface tension of the paint and improve its wetting properties. Again, how much of glass cleaner to add?
I want to switch from enamels to acryls.
That is why I need the voice of experience.
I appreciate any help you people can give.
Regards,
Flowers

You'll probably get some varying answers in the ration of thinner to paint. But I may be able to help you on the grainy, sandpaper like, appearance you described. I think it may be that your holding your airbrush too far away from the model and the paint is drying too much before it gets to the surface your painting. You might try moving a little closer with the airbrush. I hope that helps and I know there are plenty of other's who will add to this topic so I'm sure you'll get the right answer no matter what.

Flowers - Tin Can is right, you'll get a lot of different answers on this question.

Good morning Bryan!

I shoot Tamiya acrylics exclusively. I only thin them with their X-20A Thinner - and I do cut the paint 50% and more for highlight color coats. You can use Iso Alcohol to thin them - but I see no reason to do other than what the manufacturer suggests unless you're in a pinch.

I've found that if you do not thin Tamiya's Acrylics properly - then a great deal of the paint dries in the air before hitting your model - causing your grainy results. You can compensate for this when the model dries, and overcoat with either Future Floor Finish or lacquer gloss cote. Either will fill the voids between the lumps of paint (the grainies) and smooth it out. The shinier the better - as when you hit it with Satin or Dull Cote - you'll have a flat and even finish again.

Using any product other than what the manufacturer suggests increases the likelyhood of this problem. When you thin them properly, your color coat can come out as fine and smooth as the Gunze Sangyo paints - and those are really nice when shot properly.

Gunnie

I use Testors model master acrylics I thin with denatured alcohol I use 6-8 drops for 1/2 a bottle and have never had any problems If I use tamiya paints then I'll use tamiya thinner

Hello Tin Can,
Sorry for a so late thanks.
You are right.
Thanks again,
Flowers

I have always used enamels and when I got my airbrush, I tried tamiya acrylics out. Now I only spray with them. I have used isoproponol alcohol since I started and never had a problem. I believe the that tamiya thinner is basically the same but the isoproponol is much cheaper. Here you can buy 1litre bottles, so thats why I never bothered with the tamiya version. But one thing I suggest is that if you find something that works, stick with it. I have tried everything under the sun to thin humbrol enamels, but now I only use their thinner.... its simply the best. So I can understand why the other guys stick with the tamiya thinner.

Just a note re. Tamiya acrylics. I've been using them on and off for years. I recently started using the Vallejo air-brush colors. I've been using the Vallejo acrylics for years for painting figures with very satisfactory results and I frankly can't recommend the air-brush colors highly enough`one aspect I particularly like is that they are matched to FS colors... Just my 2 cents worth.....Jim

Flowers, I mainly use Tamiya acrylics and at the same time I had enough to spend a fortune for the Tamiya thinner. I agree with the others that of course it's the best one and that your problem can also be caused by theexcessive distance between you airbrush and the model. I had to face the same problem as yours (grainy finish once painted) and I solved (weird enough) adding only one drop of transparent liquid dish soap to the paint!!!
Ciao

Ciao Fabio,

Yes, you are right. Any wetting agent will help to solve the problem.
I will try.
Grazie tanta.
Flowers


:-)

Hello folks,

Many thanks to all of you for your help and opinions.
Sorry for the late return thanks.
Cheers,
Flowers