Tamiya Acrylic Paint Not Water Based?

[starwarsdude]

I just got some Tamiya XF18 Medium Blue paint and it has warnings about isopropanol and glycol. I thought acrylic paints were water based. Is this stuff more toxic than Vallejo Model Air?

Thanks!

[Phil_H]

I thought acrylic paints were water based.

“Acrylic” does not simply mean water based. The term acrylic refers to the film-forming component of the paint, it doesn’t refer to the reducing agent used. There are alcohol based acrylics, such as Tamiya and GSI Creos Aqueous Hobby Color, lacquer based acrylics (GSI Creos Mr Color) and acrylics based on other chemicals, like the Vallejo paints.

If the film-forming component is composed of acrylic resins, that is the determinant that makes it an acrylic paint. You may sometimes see people say that Tamiya isn’t a true acrylic because it’s not water based. This is not true, because, as mentioned above, the type of reducing agent used is irrelevant.

I’m not sure about the current formulation, but the original early-80’s formulation of Tamiya paint contained about 25% water.

[Tojo72]

Yes you are correct,not water based.

[Jon_a_its]

For best results Use X20a Tamiya acrylic thinners, or Mr Color Levelling Thinner, or IPA. Brobably in that order. You can use water to thin, but this is less than optimal. Always mix paint & thinner outside the cup, tattooists ink pots, old 35mm film containers, communion thimbles, etc. in case it goes all… rubbery (Vallejo & any IPA based thinner is a no-no!)

[Tickmagnet]

I’ve had the best result using Tamiya X20A thinner. Some folks use Tamiya lacquer thinner with the acrylic paint but I have not tried that.

[Phil_H]

Some folks use Tamiya lacquer thinner with the acrylic paint but I have not tried that.

If you use Tamiya lacquer thinner (or the aforementioned Mr Color thinner/levelling thinner) you can thin the paint far further than conventional wisdom dictates. 80% or more thinner is no problem. It’ll still stick without beading/running. It’s great for tinting/fading/shading effects.

I’ve also found that with gloss paints, the lacquer thinner seems to give a better gloss than X-20A or any of the alcohol alternatives.

As always, practice on a paint mule before doing it on a live build.

[EdGrune]

Remembering my organic chemistry labs we were taught to discern organic components using their smell (thanks Dr Wilson). To my nose, the alcohol component in Tamiya’s thinner smelled remarkably similar to Expo Dry Erase board cleaner. I procured a pump bottle of the stuff from the office supply cabinet and tested my hypothesis. Worked like a champ. When your hobby shop is closed or too far a drive - check out the local Staples office supply store.

As always, test a new material/process before committing to your current masterpiece

[stikpusher]

Remembering my organic chemistry labs we were taught to discern organic components using their smell (thanks Dr Wilson). To my nose, the alcohol component in Tamiya’s thinner smelled remarkably similar to Expo Dry Erase board cleaner. I procured a pump bottle of the stuff from the office supply cabinet and tested my hypothesis. Worked like a champ. When your hobby shop is closed or too far a drive - check out the local Staples office supply store.

As always, test a new material/process before committing to your current masterpiece

Excellent tip! My Tamiya thinner is running low, the closest hobby stores are a bit longer of a drive now, and good luck finding any sort of alcohol on store shelves these days.

[GMorrison]

EdGrune

Remembering my organic chemistry labs we were taught to discern organic components using their smell (thanks Dr Wilson). To my nose, the alcohol component in Tamiya’s thinner smelled remarkably similar to Expo Dry Erase board cleaner. I procured a pump bottle of the stuff from the office supply cabinet and tested my hypothesis. Worked like a champ. When your hobby shop is closed or too far a drive - check out the local Staples office supply store.

As always, test a new material/process before committing to your current masterpiece

Excellent tip! My Tamiya thinner is running low, the closest hobby stores are a bit longer of a drive now, and good luck finding any sort of alcohol on store shelves these days.

[starwarsdude]

Very impressive and generous info!!! Thanks! [:D]

[Papa_Bear]

Wow, can we make a nice 15 year old scotch out of Tamiya thinner…?

I love Mr. Roberts - I think I’ll have time to watch that later!

[stikpusher]

stikpusher

EdGrune

Remembering my organic chemistry labs we were taught to discern organic components using their smell (thanks Dr Wilson). To my nose, the alcohol component in Tamiya’s thinner smelled remarkably similar to Expo Dry Erase board cleaner. I procured a pump bottle of the stuff from the office supply cabinet and tested my hypothesis. Worked like a champ. When your hobby shop is closed or too far a drive - check out the local Staples office supply store.

As always, test a new material/process before committing to your current masterpiece

Excellent tip! My Tamiya thinner is running low, the closest hobby stores are a bit longer of a drive now, and good luck finding any sort of alcohol on store shelves these days.

Now that sort of alcohol, I’m already stocked up with… [;)]

[stikpusher]

Bump

[Silver]

Just "google "it.That’s what most people get their information at.“google” makes an expert out of people.Tamiya paints work well with Tamiya thinner And so on.