Testors Enamel a little..too watery?

TheModeler

Member since
February 2021
From: Silverton,Oregon,USA

Testors Enamel a little..too watery?

Posted by TheModeler on Monday, February 8, 2021 9:50 PM

Hello all,I hasd just bought a little glass bottle of Testors Flat Brown Enamel,to use for hand-brushing.Whenever I buy a new bottle of Testors Enamel,I always just add a few drops of thinner directly into the bottle(You might say this is bad,but it works great with all my painting jobs)for hand-painting,shake it real good,and use it out of the bottle(Or occasionally in a bottle cap).But this time,it was a little too thin,and when I dipped the brush in and started painting,it was too runny.Weird.Maybe I didn't shake it too well.Anyways,I shake it more and dip the brush in again,same thing.So I wanted to know how to de-thin the Testors Enamel(Other than buying even more paint and adding it in LOL)?

Thanks,TheModeler(Novice Mode{Just for now Wink })

ON THE BENCH(My first ones):

-1:25 AMT/Round2 1969 Yenko Camaro(40% done)

-1:72 Atlantis Models Bell UH-1B Gunship Helicopter (20% done)

In the stash:

-1963 AMT 1/32 Corvette Stingray

-Tamiya Mitsubishi A6M3 "Hamp" Zero,1/76

-Atlantis Models BELL Firefighter "Old Smokey",1/76

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goldhammer

Member since
August 2014
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Posted by goldhammer on Monday, February 8, 2021 10:19 PM

Not going to "de-thin" it. Stir to get all the solids and pigments suspended. Shaking for just a couple of minutes won't get it done.

Only things I can suggest is to put a couple drops on something and let it start to evaporate some of the thinners, and get a little thicker.

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TheModeler

Member since
February 2021
From: Silverton,Oregon,USA

Posted by TheModeler on Monday, February 8, 2021 10:39 PM

goldhammer

Not going to "de-thin" it. Stir to get all the solids and pigments suspended. Shaking for just a couple of minutes won't get it done.

Only things I can suggest is to put a couple drops on something and let it start to evaporate some of the thinners, and get a little thicker.

@goldhammer,

Thanks for the tips!I'm a newb just working on my first model,so you shouldn't expect much from me. Big Smile

Thanks,TheModeler(Novice Mode{Just for now Wink })

ON THE BENCH(My first ones):

-1:25 AMT/Round2 1969 Yenko Camaro(40% done)

-1:72 Atlantis Models Bell UH-1B Gunship Helicopter (20% done)

In the stash:

-1963 AMT 1/32 Corvette Stingray

-Tamiya Mitsubishi A6M3 "Hamp" Zero,1/76

-Atlantis Models BELL Firefighter "Old Smokey",1/76

Reply

GMorrison

Member since
September 2012

Posted by GMorrison on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 12:29 AM

goldhammer

Not going to "de-thin" it. Stir to get all the solids and pigments suspended. Shaking for just a couple of minutes won't get it done.

Only things I can suggest is to put a couple drops on something and let it start to evaporate some of the thinners, and get a little thicker.

Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

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plasticjunkie

Member since
November 2008
From: Central Florida

Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 6:42 AM

Yes never shake but stir, and stir. I use thin wooden coffee stirring sticks to get at the bottom of the bottle to dissolve the solids.

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

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EdGrune

Member since
August 2005
From: Mansfield, TX

Posted by EdGrune on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 8:38 AM

Some companies offer bespoke paint stirrers, but this option was recommended from another site

From IKEA, sold as a milk frother, for your capuchino [?]. Cut the spring off and cut the shaft back to about 3 inches long. Bend a hook at the end of the shaft and stir away.

Hint, put the end of the stirrer into the paint before turning it on and stop it before removing from the paint bottle to prevent paint drops being flung around the room. I do my stirring over a trashcan just in case

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hogfanfs

Member since
May 2013
From: From the Mit, but live in Mason, O high ho

Posted by hogfanfs on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 8:44 AM

plasticjunkie

Yes never shake but stir, and stir. I use thin wooden coffee stirring sticks to get at the bottom of the bottle to dissolve the solids.

Ditto

Bruce

On the bench: 1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF

1/35 Takom Merkava Mk.I

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Don Stauffer

Member since
November 2009
From: Twin Cities of Minnesota

Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:07 AM

Testors enamels need to be stirred as well as shaken. If they sit for awhile (weeks) the stuff seperates out like no other paint I use. However, if adequately stirred I love the stuff.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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stikpusher

Member since
July 2004
From: Sonora Desert

Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:40 AM

Well, as you know, you are creating the problem by adding the thinner into the bottle right out the gate. Which also shortens up the shelf life of the bottle of paint. If you feel that you must think your paint, thin up the amount that you will need just for that session in a separate container. And like all the other have said already, stir your paints thoroughly.

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

- Plankton

LSM

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Eaglecash867

Member since
April 2020

Posted by Eaglecash867 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 10:11 AM

This is what I'm using for stirring paint. Had it for years and it does a great job.

https://www.towerhobbies.com/product/paint-mixer/BAD121.html

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

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EdGrune

Member since
August 2005
From: Mansfield, TX

Posted by EdGrune on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 11:03 AM

Eaglecash867

This is what I'm using for stirring paint. Had it for years and it does a great job.

https://www.towerhobbies.com/product/paint-mixer/BAD121.html

The main problem with mine from IKEA is that it doesn't have a hobby manufacturer's logo. It also costs 3 bucks american.

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TheModeler

Member since
February 2021
From: Silverton,Oregon,USA

Posted by TheModeler on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 11:46 AM

Thanks everyone!I put a toothpick in there,began stirring and you were all right;There were a lot of clumpy solids on the bottom!Paints like a beauty now Bow Down