windex for thinning acrylics really?

[Guest]

Have you lot heard of the windex mixed with acrylics to thin paints down? If so what is the uk equivalent or does any window cleaning (the blue spray in a bottle) stuff work.

I ask because after having lots of problems with paints/airbrush I get through branded thinner like water its too expensive.

cheers for your input.

I promise to post some pictures of finished builds some day!

[Guest]

I've tryed using Ajax Crystal Clean and Glassex window-cleaners, I prefer the Ajax. For covering large areas it worked somewhat with Vallejo Air, Tamiya and Gunze, but for fine spray (low pressure and low paint-flow) it didn't work well at al. As for the Vallejo paints it seemed to have a thickening tendency when used in small amounts almost leaving tiny lumps in the paint but a 50/50 mix would get it flowing fine again, as long as the trigger was pulled back a good deal.

I use Ajax Crystal Clean almost exclusively as an airbrush-cleaner and only for thinner If I'm out of IPA.

/Daniel

[Guest]

It depends on what acrylic paint you're using & what you're painting. Broadly, if it's AFVs & the like, you can get away with a rougher finish than with aircraft.

Thinning Tamiya acrylics, I've used rubbing alcohol, windscreen wash, Tamiya thinners & Mr Color thinners ( not recommended! ). With everyone bar the Tamiya thinner, I found the finish often came out gritty & ti combat it meant reducing the amount of thinner used, raising new spraying problems.

If you're using Vallejo, you can thin with water, but my advice would be to always use the thinner recommended by the paint manufacturer. I know it's more expensive, but if you add the costs up in getting to the painting stage ( and not least your time & effort ), is it worth cutting corners to save a few pounds & end upon with a build that doesn't show your abilities?

Just my tuppennys worth!

Patrick

[stona]

A lot of people across the pond seem to use Windex but I'm not sure if there is a UK equivalent,anyway the composition may well be different due to different regulations. Some people here use the blue screenwash from Halfords. I use the bike cleaner Muc-Off as an airbrush cleaner and that would also thin some acrylics though I've never tried it as such.

All paints are different so a bit of experimentation might be needed.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Punchy you do not say which acrylic paint you are using.

If you use Vallejo thin with Vallejo thinners. The thinner matches the ingredients of the paint. They say do not use water as this decreases the resin in the mixture which reduces both the adherence quality & it's wearing quality.

Laurie

[Guest]

I know some Americans use IPA, which is available as surgical spirit across here. I've had better results with surgical spirit than screenwash... there's less of a "bobbling" tendency when thinning paint a lot, say for smoke stains or delicate weathering

HTH

Stuart

[Guest]

Thanks for all the replies and information, I have been using vallejo model color and game color. tecdes (above) said not to use water to thin I found this to be true with some game color paints, the water separates and just doesn't mix in strange. Well I might be ordering more vallejo thinners, stick to what works guess it save headaches later.

Just one last question I have been using milliput superfine as a filler on my armour builds (with a bit of water to help smooth it out at times) its not exactly quick and easy to use just wondered if there better product out there that people favour?

Thanks again for all the help.

[stona]

Hi again,I use Milliput too but generally only for big holes or repairs. It and other epoxy putties have the HUGE advantage of not shrinking as they harden.

For small gaps and filling unwanted panel lines etc I use Tamiya putty. There are many similar products by Humbrol and Squadron for example and everyone will have their own preference. They all shrink and sometimes more than one application is needed.

For small gaps you can also use a thick CA (superglue) sometimes thickened with baking soda. You need to be careful as CA will dry harder than the surrounding plastic which makes it a b*gger to sand smooth.

One final option for very small flaws is Tippex (liquid paper). I haven't used it for years but I remember it working okay.

Cheers

Steve