discussion Thinning paint.

[Guest]

When thinning enamels, can you use simple white spirits or is it a must that you use proper thinners? I only ask because you can get gallons of white spirits very cheaply at pound shops and the like.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Guest]

White spirit is ok. Turpentine is ok as well .I use white spirit and have had no probs .And its cheaper.

 

[Guest]

Cheers for that,

Also forgot to ask the same question but for acrylics - how do you thin them? (I know its not with thinners etc) Can you use regular tap water. The reason I ask is a guy in a model shop said you cant thin them with water - he said its no good, but he seemed a bit iffy and just wanted another sale.

Steve

 

[Guest]

i use tamiya acrylic thinner....very potent stuff and about £4.50 enough to last quite a while!!!

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?pName=tamiya--acrylic-thinner-250ml-x20a-scale-250ml-date-new

im sure there prob are cheaper ways to do it though!!

 

[Guest]

If it is Humbrol/Revell enamels, I normally use Cellulose thinners, always works well...depending on how much you need to thin them, sometimes dipping the brush in the thinners and then the paint and stir round till you get the viscosity you want works well.

Regards...Mark.

 

[Guest]

Distilled water is best for acrylics . Pure achohol with water will also help to thin out acrylics. Ethanol which is almost 100 % proof is used in the manufacture of acrylics. You need a special customs licence to buy or import it. water is safer cheaper and cleaner and less addictive.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Pogo an everyone

 

[Guest]

I use white spirits for enamels and water for acrylics. Richard does that acrylic thinner actually make a differnece?

 

[Guest]

lol yes toby it does. and it gets you high which is always a bonus

 

[Guest]

you dont need a license for ethanol when ur dad works at gsk

 

[Guest]

You do if you worked in a soap factory

 

[Guest]

Squiffy,

I use the Tamiya acrylic thinners and I have to say it is more effective than water. The trouble with water is that it has a differrent evaporation rate than the paint so you can affect drying times and consistency of finish.

The thinners is designed to mix and evaporate consistently with the paint so I have always thought it to be better.

As with a lot of things there may not be much in it and the thinners is more expensive than corporation pop but I buy big bottles of the stuff and it doesn't cost the earth.

I definately think it is a better brush cleaner as well, water always seems to leave a slight residue.

 

[Guest]

oh and steve if your not sure what we meen my "milky consistancy"....you know when you have glass of milk, take a swig of it and some stays to the side of the glass but you can see through it. do this with the paint untill it looks right to you!

 

[Guest]

It depends, of course, on whether you are talking about semi-skimmed, low fat, pasteurised or, if you are a really old fart like me, Gold Top!!

I used to put that on my cornflakes if I could get to it before my Dad, no wonder I've got high cholesterol!!

 

[Guest]

humm...i i recon a little bit thicker than semi-skimmed, but not quite as thick as full

 

[Guest]

Gold top is about right lol (thanks richard)

 

[Guest]

Cream of the experts here

 

[Guest]

I could bite heads off small children for a bottle of Gold Top right now!! Followed by a bacon and egg sandwich with bread dipped in the frying pan and a mug ot tea.

I've got to stop having these fantasies. My breakfast nowadays looks like something a squirrel threw up!!