Airbrush thinner?

Sedona Shipbuilder

HI; new member here. Is there a generic thinner and airbrush cleaner for Vallejo Model Color acrylic besides water? I see posts mentioning Windex, hydrogen peroxide, 70% IPA, and home brews but I also see posts about anything but Vallejo thinner and cleaner gumming up the brushes and airbrush. I decide to try acrylic because I figured it would easy clean up, but now I'm wondering if it was a good decision.

 

Vallejo thinner is the best choice, some say it's the only choice, but I have recently discovered Createx Airbrush cleaner works very well as a thinner for Vallejo. Do not use any alcohol releated thinners, this stuff has an adverse affect on Vallejo paints, causing them to gum up and seriously clog your gun. Water will work, but is not really recommended as a good source.

The brush cleaner is not as good as the Testor's airbrush thinner which has a retarder in it that slows drying time. Testor's brush cleaner can be used as a wash since it is not as corrosive as airbrush thinner and won't affect a dry enamel basecoat. Good luck.

I agree stik. I will only use Testors brand universal acrylic thinner when using Model Master acrylics. The same when using other brand acrylics using their brand thinners. I'd rather be safe than sorry. :)

I don't remember ever having any enamel lift from masking once it has dried... Acrylics on the other hand... Some yes, and big time... Others far less...

I've not had any bad results using lacquer thinner with MM, Humbrol and Colourcoats for air brushing.  It's "hot" enough to grip the plastic and doesn't usually lift after masking.

Yeah, but unfortunately, there is no such critter as universal acrylic thinner. What works with some acrylic paint brands does not work with others. Some thinners when used with other brands will give you an instant globby mess instead of thinned paint. With Acrylics you really need to use the brand recommended thinner.

I use Testors Universal Acrylic Thinner when for thinning & cleaning my airbrush when using Model Master acrylics.

Nathan T

91% Iso alcohol will clean any and all acrylic paints from your airbrush, and won't attack any brass parts.

It doesn't clean Vallejo acrylics.  That's why I no longer spray Vallejo acrylics (plus Vallejo doesn't spray well).

Another vote for the Testors Enamel Airbrush thinner here. It works great with all the enamel paints that I have airbrushed: Testors Model Master, Humbrol, Pactra, Xtracolor, Revell, Floquil, Aeromaster...

JerB - If you're writing about the Testors "Universal Enamel Thinner" in the 1/2 pint red can, yes it works well, I imagine ingredients blended for optimal performance within the Testors brand. I have it and use it, but when this one is finished I won't be replacing it with the same.

Over the past few years, like others I have found the mineral spirit thinners to work quite well and I get even better adhesion with them, I suspect they are a bit "hotter" than the Testors. For my use, it reduces the risk of paint lifting when removing masking tape. Out of curiosity I used a spare styrene canopy and with a moistened cotton bud swiped a bit of the Testors on it, zero effect.

I did the same with the paint store enamel thinner, (DuPont,) and indeed it did create a bit of a haze. It had clearly mildly etched the plastic, A couple of light swipes with a 12000 polishing pad restored it perfectly, but as stated it did etch the surface slightly, so it is a tad bit hotter. That actually works to my advantage for a good "bite", and my favored brand of enamel is Model Master.

So, the DuPont thinner works without faults for me, no negative effects ever noted. Where I find fault with the Testors is the price, over ten bucks for such a tiny amount, a full quart of the DuPont is less than eight bucks at the paint store.  The ten bucks is not a major issue, but it goes against my grain to pay many times more in volume for something, than another equally suitable product that is readily available.

For cleaning after spraying acrylics, I like lacquer thinner or 91%. If I encounter a stubborn bit, acetone is aggressive and it's gone pronto. But care is needed to not leave o rings or seals exposed to it, after cleaning with acetone use 91% or lacquer thinner.

Patrick

Thanks Nathan,

A quick spray of windex wont hurt will it? 91% is hard to find around here. Sometimes you will see it then you wont.

91% Iso alcohol will clean any and all acrylic paints from your airbrush, and won't attack any brass parts.

Here's another vote for Testors Model Master paint thinner for airbrushing enamel.  I use it to thin any brand of enamel paint for the AB and use regular paint store paint thinner (aka mineral spirits) for enamel cleanup.  Oh, I have thinned enamel for ABing with mineral spirits but as mentioned, I too get a better finish with the Testors stuff.

Gary

Thanks Don

What do you guys think is the best to clean a airbrush after using acrylic paint? I have always like shooting windex afterwards through it and then washing right away with warm water. I have heard is one its the best cleaners for acrylic you just dont want to leave it on the airbrush for a long time or it could attack chrome.

I just usually shoot it threw and scrub the parts with a microbrush and windex and rinse.

I find Testors thinner the best for thinning their enamels, but at times I have found it hard to find the cans, which are more economical.  I have learned to use Mineral Spirits or Turpentine- it is okay, but I can get a slightly better, easier finish with the Testors stuff.  So I get the Testors cans when I can, otherwise use the turpentine.