Thinning Model Master Enamels?

when i use enamels, i thin them with low oder mineral spirits from the local hardware store. i clean my brushes and airbrush with lacquer thinner. if you want your enamels to dry a little faster, you can also thin with lacquer thinner. the mineral spirits in my opinion is the better choice. model master brand thinner works great as well. later.

I have experimented with and had excellent results using; Sunnyside Brand *TRPS(Turpintine Replacement Paint Solvent). This turpinetine derivitive seems to improve flow, decrease tip clogs and slightly increase drying time of enamels. Like Saltydog, I clean the airbrush and paintbrushes with Laquer thinner. TRPS can be found next to the mineral spirits in the paint isle at your local Menards or home store.

I use the Floquil thinner for thinning when the paint starts getting too dry. I also use lacquer thinner and the Model Master airbrush thinner for thinning when airbrushing.

QUOTE: Originally posted by plasticmod992 I have experimented with and had excellent results using; Sunnyside Brand *TRPS(Turpintine Replacement Paint Solvent). This turpinetine derivitive seems to improve flow, decrease tip clogs and slightly increase drying time of enamels. Like Saltydog, I clean the airbrush and paintbrushes with Laquer thinner. TRPS can be found next to the mineral spirits in the paint isle at your local Menards or home store.

Greg,

Do you find that lacquer thinner is too "hot" for MM enamels?
I notice it is harder to get smoother coverage using lacquer thinner than it was with the Model Master thinner That I used to use.

Mike

MikeV,
Yes, the Laquer thinner seams to dry the paint extremely fast causing the paint to dry as soon as leaves the tip of the airbrush. The result is a pebbly texture on the models surface.

Thanks Greg.
I think I am going to try some of that TRPS thinner you mentioned as it sounds a lot like the MM airbrush thinner only cheaper.

Mike

thats why i quit using lacquer thinner to thin my enamels mike. the mineral spirits seems to more "oilly" if you will. plus, low oder mineral spirits reduces the annoying smell that seems to linger around until the paint cures. since my little incident with tamiya, ive been experimenting and brainstorming about building a spray booth so i wont be restricted to acrylics. i know in finishing painted cabinets, acrylic latex is out of the question as far as getting a nice level finish. oil base flows out much better and covers better than latex when thinned 50/50 in order to spray through a cup gun. back to the hobby, ive thought about trying some penetrol which is a paint additive for oil base paint in the local hardware store. it supposed to increase the leveling quality of oil based paints. later.

I've used Dupont Enamel Reducer 3812S for years with Humbrol, Testors, Pactra and Model Master paints without any problems. Funny thing I have discovered though, is that if I'm brush painting with Model Master paints, the light colors (white, yellow and light blues) seem to cover better when thinned with laquer thinner.

QUOTE: Originally posted by plasticmod992 I have experimented with and had excellent results using; Sunnyside Brand *TRPS(Turpintine Replacement Paint Solvent). This turpinetine derivitive seems to improve flow, decrease tip clogs and slightly increase drying time of enamels.

Greg,

How does Sunnyside brand TRPS compare to the same company's Mineral Spirits?
There is a hardware store real close to me and according to Sunnyside's web site this hardware store may carry their products, but I don't think they would have the TRPS, although they might. I will look tomorrow.

Mike

Experiment when using lacquer thinner to thin your paints. It can flat out melt some of the softer plastics, don't ya just hate when that happens?
G.L.

Greg,

I went to that hardware store earlier and as I suspected they did not carry the TRPS, although they had just about every other product that Sunnyside sells.
I did decide to try one of the products they had so I bought a quart of Sunnyside Specs paint thinner which is a low-odor mineral spirits product.
http://www.sunnysidecorp.com/gold.htm
It sounds like it may work good. I noticed that the odor of it smells almost exactly like Kingsford starter fluid for BBQ briquettes. I believe those starter fluids are kerosene and Naphtha so they are similar I guess.
I will see how it works later.

Mike

yeah i have een battleing my enamels for a while now, but i have figured out that it is much easier to use turpentine, it seems to create less "fun" i'll call it when it comes to drying evenly and drying before leaving the airbrush. This is odd, i am in an airport on an internet machine, jeez im such a loser, addicted to the forums so much that i couldnt resist connecting in the airport lol

MikeV,

After doing some tests with both the T.R.P.S and Mineral Spirits; over the years I have noticed the following:
The T.R.P.S seems to have a high solvency than Mineral Spirits which helps suspend the paint vehicle and blends the enamels ingredients faster. Also I noticed that the drying time seems to be slightly slower alowing for a smoother film on the models surface and even color distribution of the spray(evidence of some sort of retarder). The evaporation rate of the thinner is slightly slower as well (approx 7-10 min.), unlike Mineral Spirits (5-7 min.) The big difference in the two I've noticed that seems to be appreciable when it comes to fine line spraying free-hand camo out-lining is the suspected retarder. Before using T.R.P.S I was adding drops of Boiled Linseed oil to Mineral Spirits to improve flow, slow drying time, etc.....basically all the properties of the T.R.P.S..

Greg,

Thanks for that info.

At least I should get much better results with this Specs mineral spirits than I was with lacquer thinner. Everything I painted with the lacquer thinner mixed with MM enamels produced a pebbled texture, so I am hoping this will cure that problem. When I find some of that TRPS I will give it a try also.

Mike