Testors Acrylic Paint Thinning and Cleaning questions

Your questions will most likely yield a mulititude of answers on thinning and ratios. That is one thing that I have just had to experiment with to find what works for me. 

As far as thinning medium, I have tried alcohol, Testors branded acrylic thinner, you name it. I finally switched to Mr. Leveling Thinner which is a lacquer thinner. Yes I know that it defeats the purpose of using acrylics and not spraying harmful chemicals but I like you got very tired of tip dry messing up fine lines and spray patterns. Nothing that a fairly inexpensive respirator won't protect from. I have read some people add a retarder to their mix but I was never able to get my hands on some to try. The only paints that don't take well to the Mr. Leveling Thinner is the Vallejo line which just gums up and doesnt seem to mix well at all.

Jester75

Appreciate the response!

Badger 250 manual says thin enamels 1to1.

Says nothing about acrylics.

1to1 is WAY MORE than i thinned it when it clogged.

Actually that clogging was probably due more to

stopping and paint just dried up like it's supposed to.

It's just that it dried up IN THE AIRBRUSH.

That was a new thing to me.I just sprayed clear air through it afterwards

and called it good.Mistake!

This time we will be fully equipping with Testors thinner,

cleaner and even dried acrylic thinner, just in case!

Thanks

Before I switched to using laquer thinner, I always had a small cup of Windex and some q tips handy. Dipped in Windex and a quick swipe and I was usually back in business.

Jester75

Appreciate the tip!

I have also heard water and Windex mix to thin acrylics.

Will test these ideas after testing Testors products.

Now the first time when it clogged I did not spray anything

through gun when I was finished.

It will be interesting to see how Testors airbrush cleaner for acrylics works.

Thanks

Thin until you get consistency of skim milk. I know it sounds easy than said. 

Thinners and retarders are two different things.  To slow down drying time of acrylics, retarders are probably a better way to go.  Thin for best finish appearance, resistance to running and roughness, and retard for drying time.

As a note so that you don't learn the hard way like I did, do not let Windex or any ammonia based cleaners sit in the paint cup of a chromed airbrush. It will eat the chrome coating off. Don't ask me how I know

Modelers

Appreciate all the responses!

That 'consistency of skim milk' is a stumbling block for me.

A ratio would be better.

I am going to waste one mix and thin it down until

it's too thin and then come back a step.

'Don't leave chrome in windex'. Got it!

Retarder for me comes later after the basics.

Thanks!