paint thinning

DO NOT use the acrylic thinner to thin enamels! . It's not compatible with the solvent based paint but then lacquer thinner will work thinning acrylics. I use lacquer to clean the acrylic out of my AB and it removes even dried paint. I have really good results using Gum Turpentine from the small blue can from Lowes or Home Depot. I even use it to make my own washes, saving tons of $ over the high priced MIG stuff. I think the best thing to do when thinning acrylics is to use the brand's own thinner to avoid any possible issues. I find that for example Tamiya paint sprays best when using the Tamiya thinner and so on.

That's good to know.  I may have to stop being cheap! 

Groot

There is some real junk being sold in hardware stores as a generic "paint thinner". It does not work well, and has a lot of fine solids in it. It has a milky appearance.  However, if it is sold in a metal can or an opaque container you cannot see the milkyness until you try to use it.  So I will no longer buy anything just labeled paint thinner. I hold out for something labeled either turpentine or mineral spirits.  I used to prefer Testors enamel thinner, but it has proven to be a bit hard to get lately, so I am using the hardware stuff more and more.

For the past 30 or so years, I've used DuPont 3812S Enamel Reducer to thin my Testors, Testors Model Master, Humbrol (both the original Authentics and the current version) and even some Pactra Enamels (both large and small) which are still usable.  My second choice is Mineral Spirits and my third choice would be laquer thinner (which do use as my go-to cleaning fluid for my airbrushes and paint brushes).  And I'm probably going to be using the Mineral Spirits a lot sooner than I was planning - the enamel reducer is currently being replaced by "acrylic enamel reduce" which I don't really trust!

RobGroot4

Enamels need a paint thinner (or mineral spirits in a pinch).  I'm not the most fantastic builder, so I get the roughly quart-sized metal container of paint thinner from Home Depot and use that.  It works fine for thinning and cleanup and costs about the same as the little bottle that testor's sells.  It does well enough for me, but I don't expect to be entering any competitions any time soon.

Groot

I, too, use DIY store generic thinner for Testors' (laquer) Gloss and DullCoatenamels and oils. It works well enough that I have boxes of trophies from local shows to IPMS Nationals.

I've heard of people using rubbing alcohol or water to thin Acrylic paints (Many of the major brands make both enamel and acrylic paints so be careful).

Enamels need a paint thinner (or mineral spirits in a pinch).  I'm not the most fantastic builder, so I get the roughly quart-sized metal container of paint thinner from Home Depot and use that.  It works fine for thinning and cleanup and costs about the same as the little bottle that testor's sells.  It does well enough for me, but I don't expect to be entering any competitions any time soon.

Groot

Nope, not compatible at all. Testor's does make Enamel thinner.

My . I'm not an expert by any means but Acrylic paints are usually thinned with water and maybe an additive. Enamels are thinned with a solvent thinner. I don't think that the acrylic thinner would work with enamel paints. If you post this question in the Painting section, you would probably get a better answer as there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on there that are ready to help out with questions and problems.

There is no such thing as a silly or dumb question. We've all been there and needed help. Hope I've helped you with my reply.

Jim