X-20A Thinner for Model Masters Acrylic, and question about clearcoat.

Don't use MM paint, so can't answer that!

Usual advice is to stick the the paint mfrs' recommended thinner.

EG., adding anything with any trace of alcohol/IPA in it to Vallejo (VJ) will give you instant goop!

I have had some success with VJ polyeurethane Black Primer by adding 10% old formula Future. This hardened it & gave a slight sheen, ideal for British Night Black.

There is a "Universal Thinner" with a compatibility chart, maybe by UM? try finding that.

IF you try it, a FEW drops on a plate, add a few drops of thinner to it, allow to sit a little & stir in.

It might go to goo, clump, separate or otherwise goop, then it's a no.

I would paint, then add clearcoat.

Good luck.

Teenage Modeler

Is it fine to use X-20A for Model Masters?

 

 

Also, I heard Model Masters is pretty susceptible for scratching easily. How do I fix that?

 

Does adding a clear coat strengthen the paint and make it less susceptible for scratches?

 

The best thinner I've used in MM Acryl has been my own, it beat out MM own Aztek in performance. But I haven't tried X-20a. My off the wall thought is it should work fine but some reviews say otherwise..

I mentioned in another thread of yours that MM Acryl needs primer under it, it's like a whole different paint then in terms of stick. There can be some benefit to clear coating but Acryl is pretty good without it if a decent primer is put down first. I use Stynylrez primer personally.

Have a look at this video ( you might have to copy paste): https://youtu.be/GOyoALGhi_0

On another note, I wouldn't get too geared up with coming to know the ways of MM anything including the acrylic because you never know when it's going away. And that's coming from someone who kind of likes the stuff. I've taken my own advice and sought other avenues even though the acryl has some colors very dead on for my needs. I can't depend on them being around next time I visit the hobby store.

The only thing I have had any success with for thinning MM Acryl has been ammonia.  I live at about 6000 feet above sea level where the humidity rarely gets above 30%, so anything else I have tried (including Testors' own thinner for MM Acryl) has resulted in near-instant tip dry.

Needless to say, I got tired of dealing with it and scooped up whatever MM Enamel paints I needed that I could still get my hands on and threw away all of my Acryl.  Since then, I have found MRP paints which are completely hassle free and they produce the most durable finish of any paint I have used.  The best part is that they completely cure in less than an hour...and no thinner is needed for their airbrush formula paint.  It shoots wonderfully, right out of the bottle.

With all of the new paint available out there, using MM Acryl kind of reminds me of an old joke about a guy who goes to see his doctor and tells his doctor "Hey doc.  It hurts when I do this.".  The doctor replies "Well, don't do that anymore!" 

oldermodelguy

On another note, I wouldn't get too geared up with coming to know the ways of MM anything including the acrylic because you never know when it's going away.

It actually has already been discontinued. As have the Model Master enamels.

So a good piece of advice would be to find out what other paint brands are available to you locally if you do not buy your paints online.

stikpusher

 

 

oldermodelguy

On another note, I wouldn't get too geared up with coming to know the ways of MM anything including the acrylic because you never know when it's going away.

 

 

It actually has already been discontinued. As have the Model Master enamels.

So a good piece of advice would be to find out what other paint brands are available to you locally if you do not buy your paints online.

 

True and the enamels have been gone for a while now, probaly 1-1/2 years around here. My LHS had still been getting some stock of the Acryl as of last fall but it could have been just warehouse back stock and I haven't been in there lately. I will say that the last time I went into a local HL ( not the same place as the LHS) they had plenty of little Testors enamel bottle but there sure isn't much volume in those things.

As to me I buy paints all over the place to include craft paints, decanting Rustoleum enamels from spray cans, MCW, Vallejo, Tamiya acrylics and more. I don't worry about it, what I can't get ready made I also mix myself. But not everyone wants to do these things. To me 2/3 the fun in modeling is playing with the paints. Most folks just want something reliable and buy that.