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Thinning artist’s oil washes

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  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: UK
Thinning artist’s oil washes
Posted by four-star on Thursday, November 24, 2011 5:48 AM

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I was advised to use distilled turpentine for this, but could I not also use artist’s white spirits?  Does it make any difference which you use?

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Fort Worth, TX
Posted by RESlusher on Thursday, November 24, 2011 6:12 AM

I'll do ya one better.  You can use cheaper mineral spirits or generic "paint thinner" from Walmart.

Richard S.

On the bench:  AFV Club M730A1 Chaparral

On deck:  Tamiya Marder 1A2

In the hole:  Who knows what's next!

 

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: UK
Posted by four-star on Friday, November 25, 2011 3:17 AM

ah ok thanks - I was wondering if I could just use something like that to be honest.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, November 25, 2011 10:15 AM

RESlusher

I'll do ya one better.  You can use cheaper mineral spirits or generic "paint thinner" from Walmart.

There are some cheap generic paint thinners sold these days which are terrible thinners- I have had trouble using them.  Don't know exactly what they contain- the bottle label gives a complicated name. They appear to be some complex organics.

Anyway, they are not clear, they are milky white, and have a lot of dissolved solids. I have found they do affect color and consistancy of model paints, but have not used them to thin oils. I would be cautious of them.  Because of this stuff I have been holding out for mineral spirits or turpentine, the classic chemical paint thinners.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Democratic Peoples Republic of Illinois
Posted by Hercmech on Friday, November 25, 2011 10:32 AM

I have also used good ole zippo lighter fluid to thin them Dries quick so you have to hurry it along.


13151015

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Friday, November 25, 2011 11:21 AM

I use this stuff:

You can get it at Hobby Lobby (and probably Michaels and similar).

Why I like it:

- Flows extremely well - excellent capillary action

- Not "oily" like traditional mineral spirits

- Extremely gentle. It'll thin down oils, but won't harm anything underneath unless you scrub or something. I've applied washes directly over enamels with no problem.

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Sunday, November 27, 2011 11:11 AM

RESlusher

I'll do ya one better.  You can use cheaper mineral spirits or generic "paint thinner" from Walmart.

Same here. Never had any problems mixing up my brews.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: UK
Posted by four-star on Monday, November 28, 2011 4:35 PM

thanks for the feedback - seems that the main point is that you can use a range of thinner types and brands, so it's best to experiment I guess.  Good point about the cheaper thinners sometimes being cloudy though Don.

  • Member since
    October 2010
Posted by Warmuncher on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 7:54 PM

The more I read on these forums the more I realize that I'm part of the minority that uses acryllics instead of enamels.  I have never used an enamel that I liked but have had wonderful luck with acryllics.  So, my questions are thus:

Will an oil wash harm an acryllic base?

What can I put over an oil wash?  For instance can I paint details and do finish work using acrylics over an oil wash once it's dried without creating some project ending chemical reactions?

And finally, how do you folks feel about the water redusable oils such as Windsor & Newtons water reducable oils that you can find at AC Moore?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

You can find me on Photobucket under Warmuncher

Proud Member of Southern Maine Scale Modelers, IPMS

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