Tamiya Flat finish

Does it resemble the consistency of 2% milk? If it is too thick slowly add Tamiya thinner.

SST

Not only do you have to thin it, you have to mix it with either Tamiya gloss or Future before you thin it. Applying the flat finish straight will give you a nicely frosted surface. The flat is made to mix with a gloss (clear or a gloss paint) to change the level of gloss.

51011 wrote:

Is it necessary to thin it out when airbrushing onto a finished model?

CAUTION!! 

If you are referring to Tamiya Flat Base (X-21), you need to do more than just thin it.

The Flat Base is not a flat finish in its own right. It's an additive which is intended to be mixed with Tamiya gloss paints to give them a flat sheen.

To make a clear flat finish, mix Flat Base with Tamiya clear gloss (X-22) in a ratio of about 1 part flat base to 4 parts clear gloss. (Future floor finish may be substituted for Tamiya clear gloss)

DO NOT use flat base without mixing it with either Tamiya's own clear gloss or Future floor finish. If you do apply it on its own, thinned or not, the result will be a model coated in translucent white frosting.

 

  Thanks for your information. I'm glad I asked.

Good thing you asked.  Like the others have said, Tamiya Flat Base must be mixed with either Tamiya Gloss or Future.  I use Future.  I vary the ratio of Future to Flat Base depending on how flat I want my finish to be.

For armor, I use 4 parts Future to 1 part Flat base.  You won't want to go any lower than this otherwise your finish will have a white, chalky appearance to it.  For aircraft I'll use anywhere from 4 to 1 up to 6 to 1 of Future to flat base depending on how flat I'm trying to make the finish.