My local shop carries Humbrol, but doesn't stock thinner. What would work as a substitute?

Turps? Alcohol? Exterior enamel thinner?

This is to thin the enamel for brushing, not to clean brushes afterwards.

I used turps when I first started out because it was all I could get, bit found it tended to significantly reduce the paints shelf life.

Now if I can't get Humbrol thinner, I use generic enamel thinner from the local hardware or automotive store.

I dont use humbrol but use a paint called colourcoats which is very simillar(uses the same tin and everything) from whiteensignmodels for ships. The generic thinners don't seem as high quality as MM airbrush thinner(black label), which IMHO is the best of the spirit-based thinners for enamel model paints. The Testors brush cleaner is a different, stronger version good for cleaning the airbrush, but not as good for a reducer. The MM stuff just seems to 'blend' with the paint better then most other thinners. I still use generic cheap thinners for initial cleanup of the airbrush, but still shoot a small bit of the Testors brush cleaner before putting it away.

Hi Jason

Go to Bunnings and buy standard thinners in a Litre can.

Much cheaper than Humbrol, works well as a wash and can only
recommend it.
Its a green tin unfortunately I do not recall the name but its the best substute.

Cheers
Michael

a good quality white spirit will do the trick as well

Thanks, gang. Michael, nice one — I'm off to Bunnings tomorrow.



Ken oath. I shwear I only had the one, occifer.

An update, in case anyone cares: Michael's recommendation was spot-on. Recochem Enamel Thinner is perfect for model enamels. I picked up a litre can at Kmart for A$4. Still trying to get the grin off my face.

If you're wanting to thin (rather than clean brushes) it's worth investing in some of the better thinners for oils such as Windsor and Newton. They even do some which are completely odourless. They aren't cheap, but they work beautifully

HI Jim,

The thinners that Jason has picked up is pretty good.

I use this with my windsor and newton oils and for the price it goes a long way.

I use the thinners to break down raw umber and black for
washers and with oil paints for uniforms ..etc ,its marvelous.

I've used humbrol and model master for near 18 years.This thinner exceeds your expectations ,much better than Humbrol/Model Master thinners .

A definite must for all modellers

Cheers
Michael