Thinning paints

[Spartan1]

I know there are a lot of things that can be used for thinning paints. I've seen people talk about using water, alcohol, windex, specialty thinners... Can someone give me a clue on when it is better to use one thinner over another?

Danno gave us this great list of the different paints and their properties.
http://www.statueforum.com/showthread.php?t=57389
Now I'm hoping someone can give me some of the pros and cons of the different thinning options.

Thanks

[Danno]

Whew...these threads are a lot of work.

Lets start with this, using Floetrol:

Floetrol is basically a paint conditioner that in our hobby can be used for several things. Since it extends the "wet life" of the paint, it allows any hand brush artist to perform numerous effects such as blending, glazing, smoother base paint application, translucent effects and such. In the US, it can be purchased from any major paint store like Home Depot, Sherman Williams, Mautz, Hallman Lindsey, etc... Penetrol is basically very similar except that it is used for oil based paints.

You can easily thin Floetrol with water and how much you add depends on what technique you are going to perform.

For airbrushing with Floetrol, I thin Floetrol with a 50/50 mix of water and Liquitex airbrush medium and thin heavy so that is is very thin and watery (this is also what can be used to thin for washes).

For glazing, I normally do not thin the Floetrol at all and mix about 30% paint to about 70% Floetrol for a nice translucent glaze. (Add more paint for more opaque effects)

For base coating, pour a small bit of paint into a mixing dish and add only a touch of Floetrol to help the paint spread smooth. This product really helps to avoid those unsightly brush marks.

Add a touch more Floetrol to your paint for blending and feathering the color.

Remember, the more Floetrol you add, the more translucent your paint becomes.

[Danno]

As far as Airbrush thinners are concerned, I have two favorites (for water based paints):

1.) 91% Isopropyl Alcohol

This can be used as a thinner on on many paints straight (without cutting back with water). This works great on thinning paints like Tamiya and Gunze Sanjo as well as cutting airbrush ready paints like Freestyle, ComArt, Golden, and FW Inks. What this does is thin the paint to be air brushable and/or thin airbrush ready paints further for varied effect. It also makes the paint dry faster on the surface (this is important when detailing fine line spray work)

2.) Liquitex Airbrush Medium

Basically any paint that is not airbrush ready (such as artist tube acrylics (Golden, Liquitex), craft paints (Delta Ceramcoat, Apple Barrel, Folk Art, etc...), Games paints (such as Vallejo, Citadel, Games Workshop) can be thinned with this to be airbrushable. I like the properties of this...just makes things easy.

I used to use water to thin paints in my airbrush (a LONG time ago), but the results were inconsistent and much more difficult to do.

Windex works great, since it has amonia in it. This does two things, it helps break the surface tension for better adhering of paint to the surface, as well as dry quickly.

Tamiya Thinner works great...but I only use this with Tamiya Paints.

[Spartan1]

Danno, you are an encyclopedia of painting knowledge! I can't wait for your PBS television show with you in a big afro wig painting amazing kits.

Anyone else have any other tricks they would like to share?

[Spartan1]

Originally Posted by Danno

For airbrushing with Floetrol, I thin Floetrol with a 50/50 mix of water and Liquitex airbrush medium and thin heavy so that is is very thin and watery (this is also what can be used to thin for washes).

Danno, for clarification on this part are you saying you mix the Floetrol and the 50/50 mix and then mix that with your paint until it is thin and watery?

[Danno]

Originally Posted by Spartan1

Danno, for clarification on this part are you saying you mix the Floetrol and the 50/50 mix and then mix that with your paint until it is thin and watery?

Yes sir...mix airbrush medium and Floetrol together for a 50/50 mix, then add your paint. The more paint you add, the more opaque it will be.

[calkat]

If I can't find Liquitex Airbrush Medium, can the 91% Isopropyl Alcohol be used to thin Citadel paint?

[Danno]

Originally Posted by calkat

If I can't find Liquitex Airbrush Medium, can the 91% Isopropyl Alcohol be used to thin Citadel paint?

Liquitex can be found at most fine art stores (places
that carry Liquitex paint). I usually pick it up
from the local Michaels when I need it.

No...straight 91% alcohol will cause the paint to craze
and typically most opaque paints will need to be thinned
with some type of airbrush medium before adding
alcohol to the mixture to keep the paint from
crazing.

[calkat]

Thank you very much for the info. I guess I'll be heading to michaels in the next few days.

[Danno]

By the way, Michaels has some great deals going on.
When you buy from them, after your purchase
(with your receipt) I have been getting 40-50% off coupons
on one item. So when you go...just buy
1 thing. Get the coupon and go back and buy your more
expensive item with the coupon.