Hi there,
another request for help. Usually I can work on my models very late at night and in a room that it's not very well ventilated. When I use turpentine or white spirits to thin my oils i really feel sick and access to my room it's almost impossible for a couple of days due to the horrible smell! I tried to ask to fine arts shops around my area, but without any luck. Do you know what I shoud look for in terms of thinners or have you got any alternative method (i.e. artist's water based colors, etc.)?
Thanks for your help

Although I'm just getting back into this hobby, I have read quite a bit about what the recommendations are for various techniques like drybrushing and washes. By far the most favorable technique to the majority of modelers seems to be artist tube oils mixed with a product called Turpenoid. I picked some up at the local AC Moore craft store, but be careful........

There are atleast 2 kinds of Turpenoid, one called Turpenoid Natural that is rather thick and unsuitable for washes. This is the one I picked up first by mistake. Then there is Turpenoid Odorless. This stuff seems to be atleast as thin as Mineral Spirits, which is good for the capillary action you need when washing, but has almost no smell.

I've also heard that Turpenoid isn't as aggressive a solvent as mineral spirits or turpentine, so you don't have to worry so much about pulling up the base coat. I used Mineral Spirits on my last model, and it seemed that unless I used a hairdryer to speed up the drying process, the paint would start to wrinkle and pull up -- and that was after a 72 hour drying time.

Good luck,

Unfortunately i cannot work out what "Turpenoid" is. I've got two english/italian dictionaries
and it's non reported, and also trying on the online transaltion services there's no translation. If you've got a bottle can you please look at the product's components?
Thaks very much

This is a copy of a post i put on the figure talk forum. Might help if you don't like the smell of turps.

"A tip i picked up on Armorama was to use lighter fuel as a thinner for oil washes (thanks to whoever put it up i can't remember their name )
I have only recently started modelling and was trying to find something other than turps, i could't stand the smell even the odourless stuff.
Anyway lighter fuel works for me and dries faster than the turps. Perhaps try both and see what is best for you. "

Something I have found gets rid of the odours of paint and turpentine quicker is by making sure you take out the paper towels and (for drybrushing) pieces of paper that have thinner on them. At least for me, these have been the source of the fumes. Once I throw them out in the garbage outside, the basement where I work gets back to normal fairly quickly. That's just an idea if you don't find any alternatives to the toxic stuff.

Nic

Anybody made experiments with alternative washes methods (I mean acrylics, water colors, ecc.)?

Scoccia,

Turpenoid is a brand of Turpentine substitute, so you won't find it in your dictionaries. Its made by Weber Co. in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Here's a link to the company:

http://www.weberart.com/products/art_materials/mediums/index.html

Actually, scoccia, I have tried using watercolours for washes and they work surprisingly well. If you give them a try, I recommend using artist's quality watercolours as they have the finest pigment. I also suggest you put a drop of detergent with the paint and water to help it flow better (gets rid of the water tension). I was experimenting with filters the other day and I actually found watercolours to be the easiest to use.

Nic

Scoccia,

I only use Zippo-Fuel, I have a article on my website, folow the link

Zippo

Thanks, Ronny. That zippo tip sounds good. But where can you buy the stuff ? I never saw it in a store (but I admit I quit smoking long ago and I don't look into smokers utensils too often. Would they have it in Carrefour or Delhaize ?
Jan

Jan,

I alway's get my bottles at the local Carrefour.

That's where I buy my whiskey. maybe that's good for modeling too ? Hmmm. Time to crack that bottle now.

I always use lighter fluid for my oil washes ...doesn't smell and on top of that helps the oil paint loose its shine ...Hardly any smell at all ...I even airbrush with this stuff sometimes...Just don't light a match!!! lol!

Rick

Thank you all very much. Heading to the tobacconist to buo some lighter fuel!!!