Acryl Model Master clear coat question

Any clear coat will darken your finish a little.

I never used that stuff but when modeling I always try to use the proper thinner instead of messing around with other stuff.The amount of modeling that I do,cost isn't a factor.

Tojo72

Any clear coat will darken your finish a little.

I never used that stuff but when modeling I always try to use the proper thinner instead of messing around with other stuff.The amount of modeling that I do,cost isn't a factor.

 

thanks - it's interesting though, the bottle reads clean up with water. 

It might work,but is it the best option,not sure?

Mrchntmarine

thanks - it's interesting though, the bottle reads clean up with water... 

Get yourself some small condiment container cups, plastic or metal, like the type used for salsa, ketchup, or whatnot at fast food places, and experiment in those with thinners for the stuff before you put it in your airbrush. Acrylics are tricky and what works as an improvised thinner for one brand will not work with another brand. Isopropyl alcohol may work, or it may turn the stuff into a gummy blob that will clog your airbrush. Water will thin it, but may extend the drying time and allow it to run when airbrushed onto your model. 

A mix of Isopropyl alcohol and water with some acrylic retarder added always worked well for me with MM Acryl paints. But I never used their clear, just colors. That combo was the main thinner I used in the paint though, as I always had it mixed up for other acrylics.

Also Testors acrylic paint thinner should do fine. I know the Testors Aztek always did but as far as I know that's no longer available.

US Art Supply acrylic thinner works in it. It might increase gloss though. You can cut that thinner 50-50 with water too. Still works well with less gloss increase.

stikpusher

...Acrylics are tricky and what works as an improvised thinner for one brand will not work with another brand...

That's an excellent point to bring up, Stik!  A lot of modelers don't realize that "acrylic" refers to the carrier, not its specific chemistry.  A lot of modelers equate "acrylic" with "water-based", because some brands are.  But some are lacquer-based, and some are even enamels.  It's good to remember to read the labels before you buy or use a particular paint.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the big elephant in the room - even if you figure it out and like how it works, the entire Model Master line of enamels and acrylics was discontinued around three years ago. 

Not such a big elephant.The OP still has to figure out how to use whatever he has left in his stash,am I right? 

Tojo72

Not such a big elephant.The OP still has to figure out how to use whatever he has left in his stash,am I right? 

 

Thats my understanding. He found a bottle of new old stock and needs to thin it. Testors acrylic thinner has gone the way of the Dodo, and now the guy is looking for a suitable replacement thinner.

MJames70

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the big elephant in the room - even if you figure it out and like how it works, the entire Model Master line of enamels and acrylics was discontinued around three years ago. 

 

I still have some of their Blue Angel blue and another nice blue in my stash. I told him how I thin it.

I have MM Classic black enamel left over as well. And some Chrome Yellow enamel, though that may be dried up.

These little remnants left behind in the wake of the MM mess need thinning. I don't know about anyone else but I hate tossing usable paint. That Classic black I cherish, it's really it's own thing. And to me the Blue Angel blue was dead on.

This is my primary clear I use. I thin it with a few drops of lacquer thinner and have never had an issue. I have 5 bottle left and then onto something else.

BK

thanks everone for the tips.  What i showed it what ive used in the past and had bought a few years back.  I know the line has been discontinued , but this is what ive used and still have 2 or 3 bottles left.  The problem is that i couldnt find my notes from before when ive used it - psi, thinning, etc.  As i dont have Acryl thinner i know ive never used that.  And the folks at my LHS told me water way back when so im sure thats what i did before taking a little break from building. 

I did go to my LHS friday and as mentioned, the line is discontinued so they didnt have the MM thinner and told me i could use Valleo Airbrush Thinner 71.061.  Now, i didnt want to try anything new like that, so i used a tad bit of water and all worked well - EXCEPT -

Not having used my Pasche AB in awhile, i totally forget to double check its being cleaned and the smaller tip did not work - kept clogging.  I switched from the .45 to the .75 and increased the pressure to about 20 and got it going.  But i forgot to check that nozzle and tip and i had a few specs of something hit the model while spraying.  Lesson learned.  Luckily , just a couple of dots, and not that easily to spot!

I hate throwing out stuff, but ive had this clear coats around for awhile and i may make a change to a more current line.

There are acouple of white dots - so guessing old crud from AB or maybe the thinner gooked up while spraying?

stikpusher

 

 

Tojo72

Not such a big elephant.The OP still has to figure out how to use whatever he has left in his stash,am I right? 

 

 

 

 

Thats my understanding. He found a bottle of new old stock and needs to thin it. Testors acrylic thinner has gone the way of the Dodo, and now the guy is looking for a suitable replacement thinner.

 

BrandonK mentioned he uses this stuff and uses LT with no issues.  So maybe i have an answer there?  At least not to waste this stuff.  I'll just have to double check next time to make sure its not gooked up.  Ha - when you mentioned testors, i double checked my shelp and found 2 cans of Testors Universal enamel Thinner in the red cans.  No. 8824.  But still no Acryl thinner #50496 as listed on the label of the Acryl bottle