I have a question, since the demise of Model master enamel paints is a forgone conclusion I will at some point be forced to use Acrylic paints. I have three options that are readily available at my LHS Testers acrylic, Tamiya and Vallejo.
What is the best thing people have used to thin these paints for AB use so you don’t get the dry end sprayer symdrom?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
John
Tamiya acrylics are not true acrylics, they are acrylic lacquers. I thin tamiya with Mr hobby Mr leveling thinner. This thinner has a retardant in it to keep the paint from drying too fast.
It shoots just like enamels with this thinner and I can shoot for over an hour without any tip dry. This thinner will also work with Mr hobby aqueous paints, Gunze Aqueous hobby color and may work with other acrylic lacquers.
Even though testors is killing enamels, there is still plenty out there, stock up now while they are cheap before they reach floquil prices for old stock. Testors enamels have a long shelf life. I have bottles of testors enamels that are over 10 years old and still good.
I also use Mr leveling thinner with tamiya acrylics works great. I sometimes also use tamiya acrylic retarded to depending on color being painted. I have x20a tamiya acrylic thinner that I rarely use only for small jobs.
Mission Model acrylics are starting to take notice in the modelling world too. I’ve airbrushed Testors acrylics and they’re not hard to figure out the paint-thinner ratio. You just have to experiment a bit until you get it right.
Tamiya thins nicely with either of their thinners,with Vallejo,I would stick exclusively with their thinner and flow improver.They have a great color range,but are tricky to master.Tamiya is the opposite,a little limited with colors,but great to shoot.