Hi there, I plan to use Humbrol enamel paints in my airbrush.
I was wondering, do we need official humbol enamel thinner to thin this paint?
or can we use white spirit?
Calvin
Don’t know the answer to your question, but, i thought White Spirit was exactly that - a spirit (ie alcohol). If so, i don’t think you can use it.
I use Tamiya Enamel Thinner - just because it’s more readily available here than Humbrol thinner. Works pretty well for me.
I have used generic hardware store paint thinner with Humbrol paints and it works just fine. But my preferred thinner for airbrushing Humbrol enamels(or any other enamel) is Testors universal enamel airbrush thinner. Even better results with that stuff.
Chris,
White Spirits (Aus/UK) is analagous to Mineral Spirits (US) and is essentially the same stuff as Humbrol (enamel) thinners. It’s not an alcohol.
Incidentally, Tamiya Enamel thinner (blue cap) is much the same as mineral/white spirit. I have used generic white spirits with Tamiya enamel without any issues - You can buy a litre of Diggers branded white spirits at Bunnings for about $5.00 - compared to about $14.00/250ml of the Tamiya stuff.
Wow, really? I didn’t know that.
I assumed that the “spirit” indicated an alcohol base. I’ve heard people use White Spirit to mix with powdered pigment and slather on armoured wheels/tracks, then when the White Spirit evaporates, it leaves a muddy/dirty looking residue.
Hence, i assumed it was alcohol based.
I’ll try and duck out to Bunnings to pick up a bottle and give it a shot.
Thanks for the info Phil_H!