Paint thinner

sorry wrong section

Turpetine isn't the best thinner for thinning enamels. It will work, but I recommend that you purchase some ordinary mineral spirits. Mineral spirits are also cheaper.

Ok, what happens if turpentine is used?

Turpentine will cause enamels to turn into a very viscous liquid that can clog up your airbrush. For small jobs you can use turpentine, but for anything else I wouldn't.

Always use the paint manufacturers' thinner recommendations to thin your paints. I use general purpose paint stripper to clean my airbrush and bristle brushes, as it is much cheaper to buy (about $2.00 per quart can, versus $6.00 per pint can for Testors thinner). But, I use Testor's Airbrush Thinner for thinning my enamels, and I use Testors Thinner For Metalizers for thinning my lacquer-based stuff, as well as for cleaning it. I use denatured alcohol for thinning acrylics, as well as cleaning acrylics. General purpose enamel paint thinners and cleaners just aren't made for the types of enamels that we use for modeling. Some could actually attack the plastic, or cause the paint to come out looking like crap.

Hope this helps you out.

well i got some mineral spirits but its called white spirits. Im not sure if thats another name for mineral spirits or not. If not im just going back to the model shop to buy some thinners.Thanks.

As a rule of thumb it is usually best to use the thinner or reducer that is made by, or recommended by, the paint manufacturer. For example if you are using Testors paints use Testors thinner, if you are using Humbrol paints use Humbrol's thinner, etc. This will generally give you the best results.

QUOTE: Originally posted by rangerj As a rule of thumb it is usually best to use the thinner or reducer that is made by, or recommended by, the paint manufacturer...