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Thinner for Model Master Enamel

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  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: New Jersey
Thinner for Model Master Enamel
Posted by 68GT on Saturday, February 27, 2010 11:11 AM

What do you use for thinning Model Master Enamel paint for the airbrush.  In the past (20 years ago) I would just use the Model Master airbrush thinner but there has to be something cheaper.  Is it just Lacquer Thinner or mineral spirits?

I use cheap lacquer thiner to clean the airbrush and paint guns.

On Ed's bench, ???

  

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois
Posted by Triarius on Saturday, February 27, 2010 11:25 AM

Odorless mineral spirits.

Lacquer thinner is intended for use on—whodathunkit—lacquers.

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by 68GT on Saturday, February 27, 2010 3:02 PM

I have some of that so I'll give it a try. 

Been doing a lot of reading on here about the subject and it seems that the Testors is theoretical the best thing to use.  $7-$9 for the 1/2 pint of Testors Airbrush thinner is outrageous though!

I'll have to pick up some turpentine also and give that a try.

On Ed's bench, ???

  

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Saturday, February 27, 2010 7:20 PM

I agree with Ross, the odorless paint thinners and mineral spirits always worked great for me with enamels. I used a brand called, "Sunnyside" that I bought at a hardware store. It will cost around $6-7 a quart.

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by 68GT on Saturday, February 27, 2010 10:48 PM

Wow, talk about regulations sucking you dry.  Back here in NJ you can get a gallon of Mineral Spirits for under $10.

On Ed's bench, ???

  

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, February 28, 2010 11:11 AM

I use the Testors thinner for actually THINNING. I clean up with hardware store paint thinner/turpentine. If you buy the thinner in the half pint cans the price is not as bad as if you buy in the small bottles.

We have had this discussion before on thinning the Testors enamel with hardware store paint thinners.  Some find it works fine for them, others of us notice a difference.  I have NEVER been able to make lacquer thinner work well. 

You can certainly try regular hardware store thinner on some test material and see if it works for you. I found it almost okay on flats but I could notice a slight difference. I found a lot more difference on gloss.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by 68GT on Sunday, February 28, 2010 2:36 PM

All those posts are well over a year old and thought that maybe somebody found an equivalent.  I have to agree that the mineral spirits does flatten out the gloss colors but does work OK on the flats.

I wish the search feature here had an advanced search option!

 

On Ed's bench, ???

  

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Sunday, February 28, 2010 4:17 PM

Yeah, it's called "PAINT THINNER" and sold by the gallon in your local hardware store.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Fort Worth, TX
Posted by RESlusher on Sunday, February 28, 2010 5:34 PM

I use the cheap stuff from Walmart for thinning, cleaning, whatever else I need it for.

Richard

Richard S.

On the bench:  AFV Club M730A1 Chaparral

On deck:  Tamiya Marder 1A2

In the hole:  Who knows what's next!

 

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Paris, Texas
Posted by Michael B on Monday, March 1, 2010 11:20 AM

I use Testor's Air Brush thinner for thinning paint through my air brush only.  For clean up I use mineral spirits and lacquer thinner.  I once had a bad experience with mineral spirits and Model Master Zinc Chromate.  Maybe it was the operator or I just wasn't holding my mouth right, but I've never had a problem with the Testor's stuff.  The half pint can lasts a good while and it's worth it to me for the piece of mind.  For what little mind I have left.

Regards,

Michael B 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Northern Virginia
Posted by hutchdh on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 6:54 PM

Michael B

I use Testor's Air Brush thinner for thinning paint through my air brush only.  For clean up I use mineral spirits and lacquer thinner.  I once had a bad experience with mineral spirits and Model Master Zinc Chromate.  Maybe it was the operator or I just wasn't holding my mouth right, but I've never had a problem with the Testor's stuff.  The half pint can lasts a good while and it's worth it to me for the piece of mind.  For what little mind I have left.

Regards,

Michael B 

This is exactly what I do...I was fortunate to get a bunch of the MM thinner on sale.  Still use it only for thinning and clean up with mineral spirits.

Hutch

 On the Bench: 1:48 HobbyBoss Ta152-C; 1:48 & 1:72 Hasegawa F-104G NATO Bavaria

In queue: 1:48 Academy F-4B & a TBD Eric Hartmann bird

Recently completed: 1:32 Trumpeter P-51B

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