terpentine for thining in airbrush use?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

If trepentine can be used as a cheper alternative to thinning enamel paints, can it be used in airbrushes to thin paint too? Anything to keep me from paying $5-6 bucks for a small amount of airbush thinner makes me happy [:D]

Thanks

2

It’s probably too strong to come into contact with plastic even though it will do the job of thinning. I know Klean Strip Turp-a-tine eats plastic when used as airbrush thinner. Get the mineral spirits can instead.

3

Mineral Spirits or Lacquer Thinner will work better.

Regards, Rick

4

ok thanks. I’ll try the mineral spirits.

5

I remember Plasticmod992 saying that he had the best results with enamels when he used T.R.P.S. which is a turpentine replacement solvent .
I have never tried it so I will digress. [:D]

Mike

6

As Rick stated you can use either, but, in most cases, lacquer thinner is usually best with enamel paints. It seems to mix better and provide better clean up. I would really avoid airbrushing turpentine. In fact, IMHO, there is very little use for turpentine in our hobby. One exception is using it to dilute oil based paints for washes, but then use can use odorless terpenoid, or, better yet, mineral spirits.

Hope this helps.

Mike M

7

Lacquer thinner works well but it’s a little hot & greatly reduces drying time which may not allow the enamel to level out & can result in a slightly grainy finish. Mineral spirits seems to work better for me spraying ModelMaster & Humbrol enamels. For cleaning the AB, lacquer Thinner works the best.

Regards, Rick

8

I use ModelMaster paints and have never had any compatiblity issues with the generic enamel paint thinner that one can find in Home Depot at about two or three bucks per quart.

9

LOL, i’ve used turpentine as a thinner many a time, but it makes the whole house smell like the logging woods!! i find lacquer thinner too “hot” for thinning MM enamels, and mineral spirits is cool, but IMO the pigment seems to settle quickly when using it. i use half and half alot of the times, i use half lacquer thinner and half mineral spirits, with a couple of drops of Penetrol. i like the results. later.

10

what the heck is Penetrol Chris???

I use Lacqaur thinner exclusively with Enamels, take practice because its soo hot on plastic but my best enamel finishes are with Lacq. Thinner