Thinning Tamiya xf-86

Thanks again guys

how long in between coats should I give it to dry?

I’ve only used the stuff a few times, but I’ve found that more thinner  equals less flat in the final appearance. Something like a 2 to 3 parts XF-86 to 1 part thinner gives a flatter finish.

Oh, OK, the clear flat.

I thin it the exact same way as I do for all tamiya acrylics.  I thin 2 -1 (paint to thinner). I put the thinner first in the paint cup of my airbrush (I use a pipette and count the drops, ensuring an exact mix). I thin add the paint (clear in this case), using the pipette.  I then stir in the cup, and do a little back flush, and shoot at 20 psi.  Works perfect for me every time!

I can't really give an authoritative answer on that, since I have yet to use XF-86.  But, if it behaves like the other Tamiya acrylics, I'll take a stab at it.  I have kind of a "different" way of mixing my paint, since I like to make sure I get a complete mix.  Before my Tamiya paint goes in the airbrush, I like to transfer it to a small paper dixie cup using a party straw that I cut in half to use as a pipette.  After using my Badger electric paint stirrer, I'll put 1 or 2 straws worth (I dip the straw in the paint to bottom out in the bottle, and then put my finger over the open end) in the cup.  Then I use a small, glass syringe to get thinner from one of my many thinner bottles to transfer to the cup.  For Tamiya acrylic bottle paints, I've been using 99% aviation grade isopropyl alcohol as a thinner.  The ratio that works best for me with that is 0.5-1.0CC of thinner to each straw "pipette".  Then I mix it in the dixie cup with a wooden skewer before pouring the contents into the color cup of my airbrush.  To be sure I have a good mix and spray pattern, I use sticky notes to make a couple of quick paint shots before moving to the model.