Weird paint problem

My only recent experience with thinning MM enamels has been with flat and gloss black, so others' observations regarding other colors being okay is good news.

For what its worth i’ve been using sunnyside brand lacquer thinner. I got it from my local hardware store. 

Murphy's Law

 

 

Real G

The culprit is MM enamel.  They have tinkered with the paint formula for the worse.  I had the same problem with MM flat black.  It was like the paint no longer thinned properly with lacquer thinner.  It might also be the lacquer thinner formula changing to a more California-friendly mix, as my old can didn't have any problems but the fresh new one did.

Okay, so what works?  Actually, the MM Airbrush Thinner seems to still work.  I also tried using Mr. Color Leveling Thinner and it also worked.  HTH.

 

 

 

 

Not so sure about this. I am currently using new bottles of MM enamel gloss red, white and gold. I haven’t sprayed the gold yet but the red and white have performed flawlessly. This was cut using lacquer thinner. This was my first time using enamels in over 20 years and to be honest it has performed exactly as it did back then.. even smells the same from what I remember. Not saying they haven’t changed the formula, just for me it’s been just like it always has. Perhaps it’s the lacquer thinner? Back 20+ years ago I used Varsol as thinner so who knows. 

 

 

I have also used MM enamels recently out of the hobby store racks and had no trouble.  This is the only bottle I have had trouble with, and only with the second time (it worked fine when it was new, use it then a month or so ago.  Usually when I have trouble, I see it when I try to pour it into the airbrush jar- it won't pour.  This poured fine, but seemed to react after I added thinner.  I had stirred it well, and it looked okay. Then, when it failed to airbrush, I removed the bottle from the airbrush, and discovered it had seperated.  It was completely seperated- a black gob in the bottom and a layer of thinner on top. I wish I had tried to smell it- I can usually smell the difference between mineral spirits and lacquer thinner.  I know a number of people do thin their Testors enamel with lacquer thinner.  I have had bad results every time I do it.  Maybe there is enough difference between brands of lacquer thinner.

 

Real G

The culprit is MM enamel.  They have tinkered with the paint formula for the worse.  I had the same problem with MM flat black.  It was like the paint no longer thinned properly with lacquer thinner.  It might also be the lacquer thinner formula changing to a more California-friendly mix, as my old can didn't have any problems but the fresh new one did.

Okay, so what works?  Actually, the MM Airbrush Thinner seems to still work.  I also tried using Mr. Color Leveling Thinner and it also worked.  HTH.

 

Not so sure about this. I am currently using new bottles of MM enamel gloss red, white and gold. I haven’t sprayed the gold yet but the red and white have performed flawlessly. This was cut using lacquer thinner. This was my first time using enamels in over 20 years and to be honest it has performed exactly as it did back then.. even smells the same from what I remember. Not saying they haven’t changed the formula, just for me it’s been just like it always has. Perhaps it’s the lacquer thinner? Back 20+ years ago I used Varsol as thinner so who knows. 

The culprit is MM enamel.  They have tinkered with the paint formula for the worse.  I had the same problem with MM flat black.  It was like the paint no longer thinned properly with lacquer thinner.  It might also be the lacquer thinner formula changing to a more California-friendly mix, as my old can didn't have any problems but the fresh new one did.

Okay, so what works?  Actually, the MM Airbrush Thinner seems to still work.  I also tried using Mr. Color Leveling Thinner and it also worked.  HTH.

Glad that never made it out the airbrush or heaven know what would of happened?

 

Glenn

I wonder if that separation was already in the bottle before you poured off the top.

That is weird since you had previously used from that jar before. Aside from very old age and outside contamination I’m not sure what went wrong. For enamels I always mix mine with cheap lacquer thinner but if you’ve always used mineral spirits in past then I don’t know what it could be. You never know with chemicals sometimes. One other thing.. are you positive it was mineral spirits? I know I have grabbed the wrong thinner before.