I know MM has their own “airbrush thinner” for their line and it gives great results. Having said that it’s just not very economical to use ( $10 here for the larger metal container ). Are there any substitutions out there that any one has used with success without turning a model into a heap of liquid plastic or worse? I know there are several “thinners” available in hardware/home supply stores in much more economical sizes/prices than the “hobby” stuff.
So have you used anything besides the “MM airbrush thinner” and what were your experiences with it?
I’ve been using some stuff I picked up out at Home Depot by Klean-strip “Paint thinner made with Mineral Spirits” I’ve not had any problems with it. It’s not that expensive. Think I paid $4.00 for 32oz can
Lacquer thinner works great for enamel-based paints too. It also leaves you with a dead-flat finish and dries almost instantly. It is about the same price as the above mineral spirits, a.k.a. turpentine, or white sprits, etc.
If for any reason you feel that MM thinner produces better airbrush results, you can always use the expensive stuff exclusively for airbrush thinning and the cheap stuff for cleaning. Oddly enough, I’ve always used Kleen trip without any issues, but just picked up a bottle of MM thinner, just to compare and see if there was any reason to use it in favor of Kleen Strip.
Thanks for the replies.[:)] I picked up a bunch of paints yesterday and a few kits and some other miscellaneous stuff. I went looking for the “airbrush thinner” and about fell out when I saw the $10 price tag for the little bottle.[:O] I figured there’s got to be something else I can use that works the same and I know just the place to ask![?]
$100 sure doesn’t seem to go as far in a hobby shop as it used to![%-)][banghead]
yer [#welcome] Rob [:D] This is one of the reasons I find the forums such a great place to hang out. One can find out many things such as there are alternatives to certain thinners & buying manufacturer’s brand isn’t a mandatory thing[swg] I notice Testors in particular "recommends that you use their products with their kits, their brushes, paints, tools,etc.[8-] money hungry I s’pose[:-^]
Don’t you know though if you use all the “Manufacturers” stuff then the kit will be built flawlessly and smoothly and turn out “exactly” like the photo or box art![;)][XX]
Just so happens I went out to the shop and I have a bottle ( gallon size ) brand new of the Klean Strip thinner with mineral spirits, so I don’t even have to buy any for now![tup]
Thats not your only problem Ed [(-D][(-D][(-D] Have any of you tried the oderless mineral spirits that Kleen Strip has out? I use these all the time and they are really nice, no less toxic, but you don’t have the pungent odor that makes everything in the house stink!
[(-D] Thank you Ed, now I know I have done my job well [;)] The oderless are really pretty nice, I use them cause I don’t have a spraybooth, it just helps keep the smell down, that is what I like about them.
