GHQ Models Forums

Hello all got a quick question for you. When using a airbrush what do you all use to thin down acrylic paints with? And at what ratios? Thanks

fullmetaljacket

It will depend on the brand you use. I favour Tamiya for airbrushing because they're alcohol-based and don't tend to splatter as much as water-based paints at low rates of air-flow. I normally thin it about half-and-half with Tamiya's own proprietary thinner; isopropyl works fine but here in NZ it's actually more expensive than just buying the thinner!

thaks peter i usually use polly S and Vallejo paints would tamiya thinner still work fine or not? Once again thanks for the suggestions.

fullmetaljacket

I usually use the tamiya as well. Except I just purchased some Vallejo thinner to try that out but have not done it yet though.

So guess my reply wouldn't help at all!!!

Sean

fullmetaljacket wrote:thaks peter i usually use polly S and Vallejo paints would tamiya thinner still work fine or not? Once again thanks for the suggestions.

It definitely doesn't work with the Vallejo Model Colour range; the paint goes all gooey. It might woek with their Model-Air range, but I've never tried it so I can't say for sure.

never used Polly-S, so no help there I'm afraid.

The Vallejo Model Air paints do not need to be thinned for airbrushing; they come that way.

I've heard from a professional modeller that he uses a mix of Windex and Water to thin out Vallejo and Reaper paints. It works better than plain water because they both use an ammonia base. He also says that the windex doesn't color the paint at all, even when spraying pure white.

I haven't tried it myself, though.