CONCENTRATED windshield fluid?

Typically windshield washer fluids contain chemicals to strip away bugs and road grime. They also have dyes which can affect the paint's final color, especially light colors such as white and yellows.

Typically concentrated means a "stronger" blend* or one that needs to be diluted with water. Regular cheap as you can find windshield washer fluid is suitable for airbrushing. However, you definitely want to use it in a well ventilated area, using the proper respiratory protection and test it on something other than the model you are working on FIRST! I use it on occasion, but not as much as I once did.

Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing) is cheap enough. To stretch it mix it with distilled water. I will use a 70/30 alcohol to water ratio. The water acts as a retarder, as it slows the evaporation/drying process.

*Typically for use at colder temperatures or greater cleaning capacity.

I keep my thinners and cleaners handy. I store them in recycled saline (contact lens solution) bottles. They dispense liquids very nicely and are easily refilled.

From left to right: Lacquer Thinner, Isopropyl Alcohol, Windex, Water, Hawkeye's Thinner, Simple Green and lastly Windshield Washer Fluid.

Generally speaking, automotive windscreen washer fluids contain (isopropyl(?)) alcohol, ethylene glycol (anti-freeze), detergent and water. But this can vary considerably from brand to brand.

Tamiya thinner is essentially Isopropyl alcohol plus glycol (retarder). So in some instances the washer fluid and Tamiya thinner can be similar. The detergent in the washer fluid may actually help coverage by acting as a surfactant.

Dilute the washer fluid with water or not? You may have to experiment and see what gives a better result.

Another option to consider is Methylated Spirits (essentially ethyl alcohol - aka denatured alcohol), which should be readily available in the UK (You probably have some under your kitchen sink). I often use this with Tamiya acrylics.

Do you buy the 250ml jugs of Tamiya thinner or the little 10 or 23ml jars? Though still expensive compared with alternative products, the 250ml jugs are comparatively much cheaper than buying the small jars.

Triarius wrote:

Windex is an excellent cleaner for Tamiya acrylics, or juat about any acrylic paint.  It should NOT be used as a thinner, as the ammonia it contains alters the structure of the acrylic binder. Just use 90% isopropyl alcohol and a little acrylic retarder. Cheap, effective, and won't damage you or the paint.

Windex is an excellent cleaner for Tamiya acrylics, or just about any acrylic paint.

 It should NOT be used as a thinner, as the ammonia it contains alters the structure of the acrylic binder.

Just use 90% isopropyl alcohol and a little acrylic retarder. Cheap, effective, and won't damage you or the paint.