For someone who's using an airbrush for the first time, use the brand thinner to use with the brand of paint you're using for now. - ie: Tamiya acrylics, use Tamiya brand thinner, Model Master Acrylics use Testors Universal Acrylic thinner, etc... Once you get the basics down to pat, try experimenting with cheaper methods of thinning paint and cleaning your airbrush.