Tamiya paint question

I wouldn't use this as a thinner, then again, I wouldn't use it for anything. But what it is designed to do is create flat paint from glossy paint by mixing the two before applying it..

QUOTE: Originally posted by ajlafleche I wouldn't use this as a thinner, then again, I wouldn't use it for anything. But what it is designed to do is create flat paint from glossy paint by mixing the two before applying it..

I saw an ad for the new Tamiya 1/48 armor line, which includes a few bottles of their paint in the photograph. At the bottom of the page in suitably fine print it says "Tamiya enamel paints are not available in the U.S." Is there some good reason for this?

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandadjohn I'm sure it's been asked, but I couldn't find it. Can Tamiya's flat base be used as a thinner and will it dull a gloss color. Thanks in advance for your responses

My very first post in these forums was a help call when my 10yr old used straight XF-21 as a matte paint. MusicCity's website came to my rescue. I'm sure Scott won't mind a little cut and paste...

QUOTE: USING TAMIYA XF-21 FLAT BASE Tamiya XF-21 "Flat Base" is NOT intended to be used as a paint! I've seen numerous posts on forums where someone has used it alone and gotten nothing but a white, chalky finish for their efforts. This result is not surprising since XF-21 is not a clear flat finish. XF-21 is a Flat BASE. It's intended use is to be mixed with glossy paints to give them a flat finish. It was never intended to be sprayed alone, and must be mixed with something or it will make a mess out of a paint job. I use it a lot with Future Floor Polish (see the section above) to give it a flat finish. For a completely dead-flat finish mix about 4 parts Future to 1 part XF-21. For a semi-gloss or "Satin" finish mix about 6 parts Future to 1 part XF-21. As always you should try this on some scrap to determine the ratio that works best for you.

http://www.craigcentral.com/models/misctips.asp is an invaluable aid!

By the way, we managed to buff off most of the chalky finish, and I don't think there is a more matte P-51 in the world

QUOTE: Originally posted by ajlafleche I saw an ad for the new Tamiya 1/48 armor line, which includes a few bottles of their paint in the photograph. At the bottom of the page in suitably fine print it says "Tamiya enamel paints are not available in the U.S." Is there some good reason for this?

Well the Tamiya enamels are prolly extremely toxic to us roundeyes... in other words the government won't let it in the country

Thanks, got the answer I needed