Home made thinners.

[Guest]

I use Tamiya acrylics and Tamiyas X20 thinners. I read that it is possible to buy the isopropanol alcohol from the internet and mix your own for a fraction of the cost.


Has anyone done this and if so how to I go about doing this and in what proportions.

[Guest]

Hi Alan.


Yes you can IA.with Tamiya acrylics.


But I find if you try to store in a separate bottle the paint goes very bitty and lumpy.


So the best way to Use IA and Tamiya paint is to thin it as you go along and don't store it.


As for ratio's it really is a matter of what you are painting and how you are applying it.


For basic paint coverage using and airbrush I would start with a 50/50 mix.


Hope this helps.


Ralph.

[yak face]

Its fine to use instead of tamiya thinners Alan , just mix it in the same ratios as you have been doing . The only difference is that the IPA wont have any retarders/ flow improvers in like the tamiya thinners so would dry quicker and maybe not spray quite as well . Personally i use their thinners for spraying and the cheaper IPA for cleaning the airbrush after , cheers tony

[Guest]

I add in a small (usually a drop of flow improver and retarder) into the alcohol and it's as good as the name brand at a fraction of the cost.


Ray

[Guest]

I read and have been using 50% bottled water with 50% windolene and it works a treat! It is also recommended to add 2 drops of glycerine as it works as a flow improver , you can also store as it doesn't go bitty.

[Guest]

Ive found that using IPA with tamiya acrylics is not as good as their own thinners. It does work, but when airbrushing, it doesnt seem to cover, adhere or flow anywhere like with their own thinner.


I have however found that by adding some clear laquer thinner, the flow is improved and it also adheres well, but you have to be careful with the amount of laquer thinner, and also the application.


Airbrushing it onto primered surfaces is ok, if done in light coats, too heavy and it will eat through the primer and make a mess, and when brushing, again thin light coats so as not to flood the primer or bare plastic.


Tamiya acrylics are an oddity on acrylic paints, theyre good, but nowhere near as easy, simple and diverse as Mig, AK, Vallejo etc.