Testors Model Master Paint Compatible?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

I have an Omni 4000 double action airbrush which I’m still getting familiar with. The BIG step up[:D]. Anyways, what type of thinner or brand (other than the airbrush thinner Testors Sells…too expensive) will mix good with Model Masters enamel paint. I Bought “paint thinner mineral spirits” at Wal-Mart and it breaks up the paint into flakes when mixed.[xx(] Tried another brand at a drug store with nearly the same results. Arrrrrgggggggg! [:(!] I Thought you could thin enamel paint with mineral spirits for airbrushing?

Any help, suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. At $4.00 a bottle for Testors thinner[B)], there’s gotta be a cheaper way.

Thanks,
Joe

2

Hi Joe.

Mineral Spirits should work fine with Model Master enamels.
It made the paint turn into flakes when you used it? That’s odd.
I could see that happening possibly with the Model Master Acryl paints and mineral spirits but not the enamels. Try another brand.
I just bought some Sunnyside “Specs” paint thinner and it works pretty good.
http://www.sunnysidecorp.com/general.htm

This thinner is mineral spirits and it has a low odor.

Mike

3

I agree with Mike. I don’t use much enamel anymore, but I did use it for years off and on. Plain old mineral spirits always worked just fine for me.

Are you sure it’s Model Masters enamel and not Model Masters acryl? The “acryl” is acrylic, and that would probably go nuts when thinned with mineral spirits.

4

You are better off with Acrylics…all the research $$$ are going in to water based. besides you can thin with isopropyl and clean with water-iso mix…real cheap. Plus it’s a lot healthier for everybody around you and your airbrush.

5

I’m with ausf. I’ve started using exclusively acrylics for airbrushing. I couldn’t be happier.

6

Some of the dirt cheap mineral spirits don’t work well. Does the stuff you got feel greasy?

If you are starting out with airbrushing and don’t have a huge stock of enamel paints then going acrylics might be the better choice.

7

Thanks, got some Sunnyside Spec Spirts the other day. I’ll give it a try. I will probably switch to Acrylics soon since everyone’s telling me they are easier to work with in an airbrush.

Joe

8

I thin my MM enamels with buck a gallon thinner from the hardware store. Never had a problem. Sounds like you inadvertantly had acrylic paint.

9

Testors airbrush thinner is also a mineral spirits-based thinner with a higher volatility.

Since mineral spirits are typically petroleum solvent-based (long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons), there is going to be a little bit of an oily, lubricant-type feel to it.

Gip Winecoff

10

Your posts are always informative Gip. Thanks for enlightening those of us who are kind of clueless as to these things. [:D][;)]

Mike

PS Is your email working? I have not heard back from you in a few days. [%-)]

11

Joe,

Sunnyside also makes a product called, “t.r.p.s” (Turpentine Replacement Paint Solvent) that Greg Williams, I believe, said worked even better than mineral spirits. Maybe Greg can let us know about that again. Greg?

Mike

12

Hey, Laquer thinner works great for cleaning enamels. [:D]

13

Hey Joe , was it the “Klean-Strip” thinner for 1.98?