Hi Guys
I recently discovered Vallejo acrylics and heard all the good things about it. My question is what can I use as a thinner for airbrushing it. I know that thinning is not required to spray it, but I’m attempting to spray Luftwaffe camo from my Passhe Talon. I had to order the paints from Squadron but, could not find the thinner. I may try Model Master Universal thinner and pray. Any advice would be welcome.
Are you referring to Vallejo Model Colour or Model Air?
With Model Colour, DoogATX has had success with Testors Universal Acrylic Thinner and with Future. I’ve used the Testors but I had adhesion problems, both while brushing or using an airbrush.
Your best bet may be Future (or Pledge with Future Shine).
I was told to use 4 ounces of water with a drop of dish detergent to break the surface tension. I also agree with doogs that future will thin them. Model air is the pre thinned type. I still thin them slightly. Model Color is very thick and needs greater thinning.
Doogs, help us!
Yeah, fought the battle of finding a suitable thinner for Vallejo last year around this time. In my experience recommendations for thinning with water, water with detergent added, etc, sucked. No matter what I did it sprayed like water, ran all of the place. The drop of detergent just made it bubble.
I finally found success with Future. It’ll thin it down, but has enough cohesion to keep it from going all runny when it hits the model. An added bonus with Future is, once it cures, it’s pretty tough (and smooth and shiny):
Then, earlier this year, I heard someone in the LHS talking about how Testors Acrylic Thinner (NOT their universal enamel/airbrush thinner!!!) worked really well, better than Vallejo’s own thinner. So of course I tried it out! Loved it. Behavior in the airbrush is very similar to Future. Spraying characteristics are slightly better, but it’s slightly less durable on the back end. IMO it also sprays a bit smoother so if you’re doing soft-edge camo by hand it may be the better way to go.
For cleanup - a cup or two of Windex will absolutely clear things out, then a few flushes with water just to be sure (and get the Windex out of the internals…the ammonia can damage some airbrushes over time).
Testors Acrylic also works really well for Lifecolor paints, FYI:
Izzydog:
I posted a question about this about a month ago, so you might reference that. I had had problems with Vallejo and water. As Doogs mentioned, it just doesn’t work well, causes “spidering” and is an overall mess. Do not use alcohol! It makes a gummy mess in your AB. Vellejo makes their own acrylic thinner, which is supposed to be good. I found that mixing with Future did the trick. Good luck.
This is the stuff I used: http://www.testors.com/product/137112/50496/_/Universal_Acrylic_Thinner_4_oz.
I have not had any success with it. It sprayed nicely but it rubs off the model at the slightest touch.
Any thoughts?