Trying to Airbrush Crisp Fine Lines

Okay thanks

X-20 is for Tamiya enamels

X-20A is for Tamiya acrylics

"Lacquer Thinner" is for Tamiya spray can lacquer paints but works extremely well with acrylics.

Chrisk-k

Heck, I somehow thought Tamiya lacquer thinner was called X-20.  I was wrong.  It simply says "Lacquer Thinner" with no product number.  I've corrected errors in my above posts.  Sorry about confusion.

This is Tamiya lacquer thinner. I still have 4 unopened bottles.

https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/Paint_and_Construction/lacquer-thinner-250ml/TAM00087077/product.php?kw=lacquer,thinner

 

Chris,Seems there is a Tamiya X-20 also

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamiya-80040-Tamiya-Color-Enamel-Paint-Thinner-X-20-250ml-/371110592526

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamiya-80030-X-20-X20-Oil-Based-Enamel-Paint-Thinner-/220763385164 

So what does Tamiya sell three diffrent kinds of thinner ? this is getting interesting.

Heck, I somehow thought Tamiya lacquer thinner was called X-20.  I was wrong.  It simply says "Lacquer Thinner" with no product number.  I've corrected errors in my above posts.  Sorry about confusion.

This is Tamiya lacquer thinner. I still have 4 unopened bottles.

https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/Paint_and_Construction/lacquer-thinner-250ml/TAM00087077/product.php?kw=lacquer,thinner

patrick206

But I've never seen them carry X-20, so I can't remark on just what it's application is.

You won't often see X-20 in the US as it belongs to Tamiya's enamel paint line, which (as far as I know) isn't sold in the US. The enamel paints come in squat rectangular-sided jars like the Testors paints of old. If you do see them, they may be a grey import.

As far as I know, Tamiya Lacquer thinner is only sold in the 250ml jugs

Phil H - That sounds correct, at my local shop I see X-20A and Tamiya Lacquer Thinner, (there is no "X" designation for that product. But I've never seen them carry X-20, so I can't remark on just what it's application is.

X-20 is enamel thinner (very much like mineral spirits). X-20A is acrylic thinner. Tamiya Lacquer thinner is called just that, it doesn't have an "X" number.

Chrisk-k

I read somewhere an article where the builder sprayed the fine worm lines with Tamiya acrylics at 20-30 psi. I personally can't get the control with acrylics as I do with enamels which I spray about 50/50 mix at 5-10 psi. I would assume you need more psi to cycle the acrylic paint then.

Yes, Tamiya acrylics can be thinned with lacquer thinner or X-20A.  Using lacquer thinner results in a slightly smoother finish.  X-20 is enamel thinner and can't be used with acrylics.

So your regular Tamiya colors like XF-60 and XF-64 which I use for German armor,can be thinned with either ?

Oops...a typo.  I corrected it.  I use Tamiya lacquer thinner for spraying camo patterns and X-20A (acrylic thinner) for spraying a base coat.  The reason is (1) Tamiya acrylics can be heavily thinned with lacquer thinner, and (2) I don't need to thin heavily for a base coat and want to minimize the use of lacquer thinner although I have a spray booth.

Wait i'm confused. it says X-20 is Enamel Paint Thinner mainly spirits, X-20A is the Acrylic which is alcohol based.Here is an old post,so which is best used with which ?

cs.finescale.com/.../148449.aspx

I use Tamiya lacquer thinner for spraying camo patterns.  You guys are right.  When I spray at 15 PSI, I get much crisp fine lines.  

I'm not sure why I kept using a super low PSI; I must have read somewhere that detail airbrush work needs a low PSI...

Very useful information, thank you all.

I haven't been using Tamiya acrylic all that long, but have good results thinning the following ways.

71% alcohol and a couple of drops of Liquitex Flow Aid. Tamiya does accept considerable thinning, I thin to around 30-40%, still get good coverage. I too find that the best results are to be had at 12-16 psi, that gives me a better spray pattern and flow on the surface. Too little pressure seems to not break the paint up enough, I have better results with a finer spray mix.

I have used Liquitex Slow Dri, in some complicated instances that seems to assist with preventing partial drying prior to reaching the surface. Also Tamiya X20-A seems to work well, I think it might have some flow aids and/or retarders in it.

Nathan's answer is perfect. You could also try thinning Tamiya with lacquer thinner. It sprays far better and smoother and finer then.

OK. I'll try with a higher PSI.

I don't use Tamiya paints. Most of my paints are Gunze Acrylics. I find that a higher pressure actually helps, somewhere around 14-16 psi, with a 70/30 thinner to paint ratio. Also, you will need to build up your fine lines with multiple passes if you thin your paint too much.