Tamiya acrylics can go down grainy in the right conditions (dry atmosphere, high pressure, big distance) & the retarder helps prevent this, it can also help with tip dry issues.

It also helps with brush-painting Tamiya acrylics. Longer dry time = more working time and potentially less pulling up of dry/partly dry paint.

Thanks guys.I'll have to try it out,since I use Tamiya paint often.If there are no instructions on the jar [ and judging Tam's paints,there won't be ] How much should be mixed in if airbrushing & for brush painting,do you also mix it in or pre-apply it ? Thanks again. keith

The only instructions I can find are as follows:

This paint retarder will make acrylic paint dry slower, enabling a smoother finish. It can be used up to a 1:10 ratio with Tamiya Acrylic Paints. It helps to lessen the chance oｆ painting a grainy surface on your model. Also, it is ideal for painting glossy finish surfaces.

You mix it in with the paint. I seem to recall someone (Triarius perhaps?) suggesting mixing it with the thinner before thinning the paint.

With most other retarders, adding too much causes the paint to not dry. I'd assume that this is also the case here.

Great,Phil.I'll get some ASAP as I have 4 figures to finish. Danke, keith

Biggest thing to me is clogged airbrushes. I gave up using my airbrush for acrylics.  Any pause even for a few minutes between spraying and cleaning led to clogging of brush. I am now looking for retarder as folks have told me that is the secret to preventing clogging.

Hi Don.From what the guys above said,that retarder will fix your problems w/ spraying acrylic's.It can be had f/ 6.46$ w/free shipping on the bay.My LHS does'nt carry it so I was forced to go that route.The Tamiya P.N. f/ a 40Ml. jar is 87114.   keith

Retarders & Improvers for acrylics are common & readily available in art stores / suppliers, most producers of artists acrylics (Liquitex, Golden, W&N...) marketing one or both.

Liquitex Slow-Dri is one retarder that comes to mind & works just fine with the likes of Tamiya acrylics.

Milairjunkie

Retarders & Improvers for acrylics are common & readily available in art stores / suppliers, most producers of artists acrylics (Liquitex, Golden, W&N...) marketing one or both.

Liquitex Slow-Dri is one retarder that comes to mind & works just fine with the likes of Tamiya acrylics.

   I get mine at Hobby Lobby and with a 40% coupon for even a better price. I try not to AB acrylics but when I do, I use the W&N retarder in the yellow plastic bottle and seems to greatly improve AB flow. But for fine cammo I use enamels which offer better control. 

I've been using the Golden brand for a couple of years now with acrylics and Future and had good results with it, one bottle will last a long time. Also for brush painting figures I use a small dropper bottle filled with a mixture of 50/50 water and Future with a few drops of retarder added to thin the paint when it dries out on the pallet.

Thanks Milair & Gamera. I'm sure I'll be able to find 1 of those at my local Michaels at a fraction of the cost of Tamiya.  

I purchased a couple of bottles of the retarder via eBay, they have shipped (from Hong Kong) and should be here in the next couple of weeks.  

Mr color leveling thinner has a retarder/flow improver in it if it is suitable for you paint.

Talentless,is the Mr.color you are referring to for acrylics ? K