MODEL MASTER CLEARNER ?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi Guys

I’m fairly new to using ENAMEL PAINT.

First time I’m using it.

Question Please: What do I use to CLEAN my brush with?

Thanks Guys

2

This is the one time where most anything called “thinner” is ok. As long as it’s petroleum spirits based.

I sometimes use lacquer thinner for a really hard clean, but it can be tough on brushes.

Testors makes a good airbrush thinner that comes in a red metal can. I always use that with Model Master enamels as thinner, and since it’s there in the paint area, use it to clean your brushes too.

3

For enamels use mineral spirits (AKA paint thinner).

4

Any thinner that says its for Enamel will work.

I have also used: Turpintine, mineral spirits, Laquer thinner , and in a “pinch” Regular Gas.

HOWEVER… if your brush has a plastic handle, or if the brush hairs are nylon or some sort of synthetic, Gas and Laquer thinner will melt it. Also… An air brush has rubber O rings in it. O rings DONT LIKE GAS !

Didnt know if you meant paint brush or airbrush, so I tried to cover all the bases.

5

Personally I’d never ever use gasoline to clean anything period !!..its bad enough that we use lacquer thinners…enamels use low odor turpentine its safer …and for those tough cleaning jobs (in your airbrush )…then use lacquer…spraying gasoline through an airbrush is just asking for disaster

6

I utilize exactly what G Morrison uses. The Testors thinner in the red can. That works best. In my current project of which is a Revell B-17G Flying Fortress, I’m using nothing but enamel paints for the first time. I normally use acrylic paints. My acrylic paints are normally Model Master, Tamiya and Vallejo paints.

Your friend, Toshi

7

Hi;

Okay there’s always this too . For over fifty years I used and still do for brushes , a good old standby . It’s well known name is " Naptha " . You know , Ronson Lighter fuel .

I was looking for a thinner/cleaner that was gentle on the brushes and cleaned deeply . Well , Naptha fills the bill and it doesn’t smell as bad as some things I can think of .T.B.

8

For cleaning the airbrush or paint brushes, I’ve been using lacquer thinner from Lowe’s. For thinning paints, I use the same as the paint manufacturer.

9

Yup. Turpentine for airbrush and paint brushes and Model Master Thinner for my MM Enamels and MM Lacquer Thinner for my MM Gloss, Semi and Dull Coats.

10

There is some really crappy stuff being sold as paint thinner. The stuff has particles in it that do not dissolve and ruin paint, so I definitely do not use it for thinning paint. I find it even leaves residue in brushes. It is some sort of synthetic product. So I do not buy anything that does not say either turpentine or mineral spirits. Another way to tell the bad stuff is its appearance- it is not perfectly clear, but slightly cloudy like milk thinned with water. Unfortunately, it is sold in opaque containers, which is why I only rely on the labels now. While I keep lacquer thinner on hand for airbrush cleaning, I think it is too hard for brushes, and I don’t need something that strong, so I only use the enamel thinner (turpentine aka mineral spirits) for brushes.

11

Hear Ya! Fifty-one years ago did that with my first Binks Wren, Mom gave me constant hell over doing that, really stupid this mid-late age teenager was then! Most of the time get by with lacquer thinner whenever using the paint cup.

12

Hi Don

Its the new guy, you’ve helped me out before.

Question Don Please.

Do I always have to thin Model Master Paint with thinners before I apply them to my airplanes?

Or can I use it right out of the bottle?

Thanks Don

GOD BLESS

13

Hi Tanker- Builder

THANKS 4 you tip on using NAPHTHA on enamel paint brushes.

The first time I’m going to use Model Masters Enamel Paint.

I haven’t use the enamel paint yet.

Here’s my question, please.

Do I thin the paint FIRST before I use it. Or use it right out of the bottle?

Thanks Guy

GOD BLESS

14

Spraying for sure y’all need to thin the paint, touch-up painting y’all OK straight from the bottle assuming y’all mix it good. I don’t do large-area brush painting so defer to the experts in this arena.

15

When I was younger, I used Lighter fluid.

Worked well and cheap.

16

In an airbrush I use their Universal Enamel Thinner. I mix 3 parts flat with 1 part thinner and 3 parts gloss with 2 parts thinner.

For paint brushes you can use laquer or enamel thinner, turpentine, turpenoid or mineral spirits

17

For brush painting, I can brush right out of a new bottle fine, without thinning. But I find the longer total time the bottle is open, the more thinner evaporates and the thicker it gets, needing thinning at some point- you have to play it by ear. It always needs to be thinned for airbrushing.

18

Hi Schooner ;

I do apologize . I forgot to let you know what mix I use for my airbrush with Model Master paints . When I do airbrush I cut it 50-50 . But that is for new paint . Old paint is so-so on that .Sometimes you need a 60-40 mix with older paint .

Now I am talking an unopened bottle more than a year old . Being stored in a garage , paint gets subjected to extreme variations in temperature . This does affect the paint .