first try with acrylics

I've been using mostly Model Master paints thined about 3:1 with windshield wiper fluid. I have found that the really light colors like white and light grays don't need even this much thinning. If I thin these at 3:1 they seem to be too runny. I'm wondering wether I would be better off thinning with some real thinner. I got the suggestion on wiper fluid in the forum and it seems to work OK.

John

I like using Gunze & Tamiya acrylics. Tamiya paints seem to be a bit thick right out of the bottle, so you'll need to thin them a bit more than the Gunze. Gunze, IMO, has a better selection of colors, some premixed FS colors for example. Tamiya, per the instructions in their kits, has you mixing up your own colors. Fun to some, pain in the A$$ for me. Anyways, both of these are nice & clean up really nice with straight Windex. Don't try to thin them with Windex because it has a 'disolving' effect on both brands whether they are wet or completely cured.

I'm with Music with a roughly 2 or 3:1 Paint/Thinner mix.

I have used this mix with Gunze, Tamiya, MM and Lifecolour, and it has worked fine, giving an even finish in around 3 coats.

Try Tamiya acrylic thinner, as this contains an inhibitor, which slows down the drying time of acrylics, making them easier to spray.

Karl

For Tamiya's I thin about that..1:1, maybe a little less on the thinner side depending on the color and if it is flat or gloss... glosses seem like I have had to thin them a little more...

I like Tamiya ok... prefer MM Acryl but they both work!

Wow, you guys REALLY like it thin! I thin most acrylics 3:1 (paint: thinner) and that works fine for me down to about 8 psi. Anything lower and I have to thin it a bit more.

pingtang is right. I use about a 1:1 mix in my airbrush with tamiya but results may vary so play with it some. If its to thick it may also clog the airbrush, but acrylics are easier to clean out than enamals (IMHO). Keep it thin and use several coats. you will like the results.

Thin the paint to about the consistenct of milk, that's what I got told anyway. Just do a bit of experimenting, that's the best way to learn. It's best to be on the too thin side of the scale. Too thick and the paint won't go on smoothly. If you thin the paint too much just come back in ten minutes and give it another coat.

try 1:1 thinner : paint for tamiya or gunze paint. make sure you use acrylic thinner. apart from that, welcome to the world of easier cleanup, less noxious fumes and fast drying times (the last one is a double edged sword)