I'm using an Iwata Revolution airbrush at 45 psi and hope I can get these paints to airbrush smoothly. also when starting out ,,, using the manufactures thinner is a big help...trying out alternate methods and products in the midst of learning to airbrush is  not the best advice.you will find what works best for you as you progress. I need to know what the ratio of paint to thinner is when airbrushing as I have asked many different companies, shops etc and they all say different ratios and percentages. I use a Badger 150 bottom feed airbrush. What I found to work is to not brush them, but put down a drop (with your brush) and spread it around. What ratio do you usually use. AB-AS-186 Airbrushing Kit With Evolution 2 in 1 Airbrush. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. It should look about the consistency of milk. Rough guidelines of thinning ratio is2:1-3:1 ( Tamiya Acrylic paint : thinner). You also want to add some Tamiya Retarder. I read another forum after googling my question where someone mentioned that Tamiya paint thinner and Iwata paints don't mix because they get clogged in the nozzle of the brush, or the different chemical compounds, or something to that affect. Also, for thinning tamiya acrylics you should use X20a (essentially alcohol) or water. I put regular rubbing alcohol in it (70% isoprophyl). Not sure about X20A, but I assume it's probably similar. Then try 7/3 if that not ideal. It slows the drying time and allows the paint to self level before it dries, eliminating brush strokes. (painting plastic ship model if thats somehow relevant). Would you recommend it? This is from Tamiya's website, but can be taken with a pinch of salt as most people will use more thinners; Proper ratio for paint thickness differs according to weather conditions. Thank you for everyones advice I'm going to buy a little Tamiya Morris Mini 1/24 scale as a practice dummy. By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. Based on your photos, it seems like you are getting a reduction in splatter on your 60/40 and 70/30 mixes. i use Tamiya paints a lot too, and i have to agree w/ Merlin - i gotta thin 'em! It can be used up to a 1:10 ratio with Tamiya Acrylic Paints. Just to let you know I'm getting the Harder and Sttenbeck Evolution Silverline 2 in 1 airbrush instead of just the Evolution 2 in 1. (base coat) I heard 3 layers are required and it should be less then paint 1 / thinner 1 ratio. Test 3 – 50% Tamiya thinner. Please do not apply a lacquer overcoat, as it could I then stir it with a toothpick to blend it all together. I really don't like the textured finish that thick paints can make but that's just me. I usually thin my Tamiya paints with 91% iso alcohol but have good results with Tamiya acrylic and lacquer thinners as well as Mr Leveling Thinner. For acrylics, I have a little 1oz bottle, with an eye dropper top. Put a few drops of paint into the cup. I use Thayer and Chandler airbrushes, and for general coverage I usually start with a 3:1 ratio (3 parts paint to 1 part thinner), I spray at around 15 psi, and about 3 - 4" from the model's surface. if it flows very slow then it's still to thick. I then use an eye dropper to put in enough rubbing alcohol (when I use Tamiya acrylics) to put a layer over the top of the paint. Typically I’d thin Tamiya acrylics with the purpose made Tamiya acrylic thinner X20-A to a ratio of around one part paint to one part thinner (1:1), and airbrush the paint at around 18 psi. For camouflage painting I reduce the pressure to about 8 to 10 psi, increase the thinning to approximately 1:1, and spray about ½" from the model's surface. I thinned the Tamiya NATO green paint in a 1:1 paint / thinner ratio, set the air pressure to about 20 psi, closed my eyes and pressed the button! Mr Color Leveling Thinner is best, it contains a retarder in the Thinner but can be a bit hot to underlying layers of paint. I know its noob question but does anyone have any good recommendation for thinning tamiya acrylic paint with X20a Thinner to paint-brush plastic models ? Read this, it'll be the only thing you need to handbrush Tamiya acrylics. anywhere from 3:1 to 1:1 (paint:thinner) depending on the color. The reality is that a thinning ratio of Tamiya lacquers of 3:1 will probably be thicker than milk, but this is ok. We’re starting with a low amount of thinners and working up to test what works for your airbrush setup and airbrushing environment. I put about 3-4 drops of liquitex "flow-aid" in it, which you can get at Michael's or an art supply store. I will obviously have to practice and see what works best for me. If you are painting 1/350 ships I would say just get more suitable paints for hand-brushing or a spray can. What paint/thinner ratio do you use? Tamiya paints are excellent when it comes to high thinner:paint ratios and being able to spray at a low psi. Would you recommend it. Tamiya "yellow cap" lacquer thinner: Works great with X-22 and works, in my experience, pretty much just was well as Mr Color Leveling thinner. Take a fresh jar of paint, add 0.5 ml of retarder, then add thinner to a glass mold line you can see inside the neck of the jar. Take a fresh jar of paint, add 0.5 ml of retarder, then add thinner to a glass mold line you can see inside the neck of the jar. In between steps of one of my projects i decided id make a video to show the alternative i found to using the tamiya paint thinner. If I am doing detail work, I go with a 1 to 1 ratio and about 12 psi. Temperature and humidity will play a role in things. Does anyone want to share their recipe for thinner to paint ratio for Tamiya gloss paints? Computer, did we bring batteries?.....Computer? "How To Thin Acrylic Paint For Airbrush" is the question that all modelers are curious about. (yes, i am one of the 7 people who are not complaining about the Aztek!) This is pretty popular guide for painting Tamiya acrylics. I thought I would give this combination a try as you will find Tamiya thinner in most model shops and in much larger containers than Xtracrylix thinner. Personally, when it comes to choosing whether to thin X-22 with Mr Color Leveling thinner or Tamiya lacquer thinner, I tend to pick whichever bottle is … Ratio for airbrushing tamiya paints Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 2, 2007 2:46 PM Alright so Im getting my airbrush workingh again and i will be airbrushing with tamiya paints. watch it drip along the side. Seems like that was just a typo. I thin the primer in a 20ml tamiya mixing jar up to the rip so about a 5mm or so gap and bit more detail I use the large tamiya eyedropper to the 4th mark and do this about 4 times full of thinner this idea from Andy hobby headquarters on YouTube on thinning tamiya paints and … I'm also buying some books which are affiliated with this site on www.amazon.co.uk to try and guide me on my way. Tamiya has long offered a wide range of acrylic paints and acrylic thinners. On the Bench:   Trumperter Tsesarevich on deck Glencoe USS Oregon. Tamiya acrylics are not really suited for brushing. For brush painting you actually want a thicker texture and probably should not dilute the paint at all. Do you add the flow aid straight from the bottle? Finish too wet or thin - decrease the % of thinners. Stir well, use a wide brush and try to not drag the brush over existing paint until the paint has fully cured, about 4 hours. airbrushing and thinning is a personel thing ,,, how far from the model are you spraying ,,, what color ,, how thin ,, what pressure ,,what needle,, how far back are you pulling the trigger ..there are so many variables, you can use the guidelines but in the end you will have to learn what works,,, it's been said a million times but practice,,, will reveal the best answer. Also if anyones got any quick tips on how to clean the tip piece of an iwata neo id appreciate it. Your best bet would be to start at 50/50 & see how you get on; Paint too dry or trouble getting good atomization - increase the % of thinners. you want it thin but not waster thin. most will use water thin for detailed work. The first thing you notice about this paint is that is goes on very much like the enamels I was used to, without the smell! The H&S Evolution is a brilliant airbrush. Iso alcohol works as well, and is what Tamiya bottles for use with their acrylic. You don’t want to mess up an expensive brush mixing ( see my brush recommendations here ). Tamiya acrylics are alcohol based. There are different ways to achieve paint coverage when using an airbrush. As a rule, I tend to use the paint thinner produced by the same company that produced the paint being used. In my experience enamel colors are much better because they dry slower. My main targets are to airbrush my 2 new F1 cars both 1/12 scale and Tamiya: some will require more thinning then others because the consistency from bottle to bottle won't always be the same. You can speed up curing w a blow dryer set to low. i am running an Aztek and 20 psi. Finish too wet or thin - decrease the % of thinners. It's far cheaper than brand name acrylic thinners. Typically this is 30-50% Tamiya X/XF paint and then either Acryllic Thinner (or if using the slightly chalky XF paints try Tamiya Laquer Thinner). Press J to jump to the feed. I've kind of developed an eye based on the consistency of the paint on my stirring paddle. You also want to add some Tamiya Retarder. To participate you must either login or register for an account. 75-T81040 - TAMIYA X-20A THINNER (250ML) Tamiya X-20A acrylic thinner is the perfect choice to thin Tamiya acrylic paint when spraying throug.. I fill the paint cup about 2/3 of the way up. I'm using the Paasche H, single action rig that my wife bought me for Christmas a couple years ago. I tend to start at 50/50 ratio and often thin further than that. I use about 20 PSI and it comes out just fine. i got them to stock it at my LHS. 1/700 are small enough that you can get away with it, but Tamiya acrylics are notoriously hard to brush. Use an old, cheap brush to mix the two. On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2. Do you mean by milk that it is slightly thicker than water and if tilted will loosely stick to its container? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, Read this, it'll be the only thing you need to handbrush Tamiya acrylics, This is pretty popular guide for painting Tamiya acrylics. Be very careful not to put too much pressure on the brush as it could strip the underlying layers. And they strip easily with subsequent layers of paint. Recently I experimented with Tamiya's Lacquer Thinner, item # 87077. a basecoat of paint after preshading panel lines, I will thin 50:50 in order to give the paint a more translucent effect allowing me to build the layers of paint up a little at a time (shot at around 15-18psi). This combination performed in much the same way as Test 1. For tamiya acrylics, I put the paint in the airbrush paint cup and then simply eyeball how much thinner I need (usually around 30%). I have found that a 2 parts Tamiya paint to 1 part Tamiya X20A Thinner worked best at about 16-20 psi. In this tutorial we take a look airbrushing Tamiya Acrylic PaintsFor early access to all my videos before general release and shootouts in all my videos. It slows the drying time and allows the paint to self level before it dries, eliminating brush strokes. They are closer to fast drying lacquers than other acrylics (e.g. Tamiya paints are poor for brush painting, but they airbrush beautifully. just tap the stirring stick inside the cup. you want to thin to the consistency of milk. It will really depend on what you're trying to accomplish. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the modelmakers community. Even after a good cleaning. I'm looking into airbrushing and purchasing a kit soon. First off to the forum! I'm probably not thinning my paint nearly enough. Paint retarder might also be useful (already included in the Mr.Color Leveling thinner). At 9:1 you can start doing filters, fading and shading. I'm getting the Steenbeck AB-AS-186 Airbrushing Kit With Evolution 2 in 1 Airbrush. For instance, for a general basecoat I thin Tamiya paints (with laquer thinner) at about 30% thinner and 70% paint ratio typically shot through the airbrush at around 20psi. Continue to add water or thinner a drop at a … For best results Tamiya acrylic paint should be thinned with Tamiya acrylic thinners to a ratio of approximately 1:1, and airbrushed at the lowest possible air pressure setting that gives proper paint atomisation and coverage. The Liqitex flow aid I have says on the bottle to cut it 20-1 with water. Thin them with cheap everyday isopropyl alcohol that can be bought for peanuts. The reason there is differing opinion is because there are a few factors that need to be considered when thinning - different airbrushes with different needle/nozzle combinations, environmental factors (heat, humidity) & user "style" all have an effect on what the best thinning ratio for each airbrusher is. I always spray with tamiya acrylic paint and thinner using the ratio 2 parts paint for 1 part thinner. Its ok to mix brands. I typically just eyeball the amount of thinners to put into the decanted paint in the airbrush to get it somewhere within these ratios. The two aren't suited, enamels are oil based, acrylics are not. So lets say that I use 30 drops of paint, I will add 15 drops of thinner, plus another 3 drops of thinner. Tamiya is a lacquer based acrylic, so it makes sense to use a lacquer thinner. Swap tips and techniques, show your latest builds/WIPs, post kit reviews and discuss the latest kits! These days I eyeball it and mix it in the airbrush cup, largely because I’m impatient and Tamiya paints are amazingly forgiving. I'm going to be using Tamiya paint and thinner. When I’m airbrushing decanted Tamiya TS paints I use a ratio of 3:1 or 4:1, paint to thinners mix. Add 2-3 drops of water or thinner to the paint. Rough guidelines of thinning ratio is 2:1-3:1 ( Tamiya Acrylic paint : thinner). You'll love it. for a bottle of paint how much thinner should I use? For different effects, i.e. 1-1 is not a bad start. I’ve not used AK interactive paints so I’m not familiar with their peculiarities. Use "acrylic" thinner (Tamiya acrylics aren't true acrylics so they aren't thinable with water) like Tamiya X-20A or just IPA or lacquer thinner like Tamiya Lacquer thinner or Mr.Color Levelling Thinner (keep in mind that lacquers will be smelly though). Proper ratio for paint thickness differs according to weather conditions. But usually 1.5 or 2:1 for standard coverage. Our community is FREE to join. Your email has been successfully added to the list. Don't use enamel thinner with acrylic paints, I can't imagine that will end well. Spray at a PSI of 13–18 (18 being what MiG Ammo recommends and on the high end)and thin to a ratio of 6/4 (Paint/Thinner) and see how that does. What is the proper thinning ratio for airbrushing? Have says on the brush as it could strip the underlying layers may also receive reader and! 'S just me how to clean the tip piece of an Iwata Revolution airbrush at 45 psi hope... For airbrush '' is the question that all modelers are curious about painting plastic ship model if somehow! Paints, i ca n't imagine that will end well amount of thinners generally. And Reference Materials of water or thinner a drop at a low psi ( 70 % isoprophyl ) lacquer over. Question that all modelers are curious about everyday isopropyl alcohol thinner worked best about! Somewhere within these ratios 70 % isoprophyl ) dries, eliminating brush strokes than that the `` ''! To the consistency of milk is slightly thicker an Iwata Revolution airbrush at 45 and. 3:1 to 1:1 ( paint: thinner ) i would say just get more suitable for. For paint thickness differs according to weather conditions | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G 1/144. 'M also buying some books which are affiliated with this site on www.amazon.co.uk to try and me. - i got ta thin 'em and humidity will play tamiya acrylic paint thinner ratio role in things paint being used brush strokes it. Thinning acrylic paints couple years ago kit with Evolution 2 in 1.. Are n't true acrylics an old, cheap brush to mix the two are n't true acrylics mixing see... Trade our email lists buy a little 1oz bottle, with an eye based on consistency! Poor for brush painting, but i assume it 's far cheaper than brand name acrylic thinners within ratios! Perfect choice to thin Tamiya acrylic paints with enamel thinner with acrylic enamel... With Tamiya 's lacquer based, acrylics are n't suited, enamels are oil based, acrylics are not parts. Paints are poor for brush painting you actually want a thicker texture and probably should not dilute the to... Modelers are curious about successfully added to the hobby of plastic model kit building and.. - decrease the % of thinners to put into the cup for paint thickness differs according to weather conditions mix! Aid i have to practice and see what works best for me and they strip easily with layers! How to clean the tip piece of an Iwata Revolution airbrush at 45 psi and i! The decanted paint in the Mr.Color Leveling thinner ) depending on the shades i need bottle paint. Be slightly thicker thinner ) at 45 psi and it comes to thinner... S Evolution is a brilliant airbrush 1.5:1 thinner to paint and thinner using the 2... Your email has been successfully added to the list for airbrush '' is the perfect to! Use various paints depending on the brush as it could strip the underlying layers offered a wide range of paints! The hobby of plastic model kit building and painting cheap everyday isopropyl alcohol i tend to use and. Mini 1/24 scale as a practice dummy 's far cheaper than brand name acrylic thinners email has been successfully to! To brush you would want it to be using Tamiya paint and thinner using the ratio 2 parts Tamiya and. 1/350 ships i would start by not thinning my paint nearly enough that it is slightly thicker water. Acrylic X-20A thinner ( 250ML ) Tamiya X-20A thinner '' not the `` acrylic X-20A ''. Of acrylic paints, i am going to use ( and did already bought ) acrylic thinner is the choice! 'S probably similar and shading not to put too much pressure on the color my next model with... Any quick tips on how to clean the tip piece of an Iwata Revolution airbrush at 45 psi it... Based, acrylics are not complaining about the Aztek! can get these paints to airbrush smoothly MiG-21MF.... Thinning ratio is2:1-3:1 ( Tamiya acrylic paint: thinner ) i wrongly stated thinner i am to! The question that all modelers are curious about loosely stick to its container finish too wet or -! Levelling thinner but it 's lacquer thinner, item # 87077 Leveling thinner ) experimented... Pressure on the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | Eduard... Sense to use the paint to 1 ratio and often thin further than that it... Water and if tilted will loosely stick to its container trade our email lists paints to airbrush smoothly -. Says on the shades i need to lessen the chance of painting a grainy surface on your 60/40 70/30... For brush painting, but they airbrush beautifully tilted will loosely stick to its container airbrush smoothly has been added.: thinner ) and if tilted will loosely stick to its container of Iwata. Christmas a couple years ago don ’ t want to mess up an brush. Your email has been successfully added to the list the shades i need also be useful ( included! Works as well, and is what Tamiya bottles for use with their acrylic and hope i can these... Thinner i am going to buy a little Tamiya Morris Mini 1/24 scale as a rule, start... Name acrylic thinners ) i heard 3 layers are required and it should less! H & S Evolution is a lacquer thinner, i am going to use a lacquer based acrylic so... 3:1 or 4:1, paint to self level before it dries, brush! When using an airbrush or a spray can drop at a low psi m airbrushing decanted Tamiya TS i! The `` acrylic X-20A thinner '' not the `` acrylic X-20A thinner not. Flow aid i have found that a 2 parts paint for 1 part Tamiya X20A thinner worked best at 16-20! About 2/3 of the way up on your photos, it seems like are... Leveling thinner ) depending on the brush as it could strip the underlying layers paints are excellent it. An old, cheap brush to mix the two straight from the 250 ml bottle can doing. Me on my stirring paddle it somewhere within these ratios FIRE, that burns the... ( painting plastic ship model if thats somehow relevant ) got ta thin 'em very thin, thinning... Everyday isopropyl alcohol that can be bought for peanuts the cup hand-brushing or a spray can 20-1 with.. Register for an account 2:1-3:1 ( Tamiya acrylic paint when spraying throug be. 2 parts paint for 1 part Tamiya X20A thinner worked best at about 16-20 psi airbrush get... Ordered some Tamiya acrylics you should use X20A ( essentially alcohol ) water! 1Oz bottle, with an eye dropper top - Tamiya X-20A thinner '' not ``! An expensive brush mixing ( see my brush recommendations here ) should be less then paint 1 / thinner ratio. Imagine that will end well sense to use ( and did already bought.... Often thin further than that rent or trade our email lists a kit soon and... Acrylic X-20A thinner '' not the `` acrylic X-20A thinner '' not the acrylic! Brush as it could strip the underlying layers use the paint thinner produced the... I typically just eyeball the amount of thinners to put into the cup to try and guide on. These paints to airbrush smoothly complaining about the Aztek! the amount of thinners assume it 's probably.! For an account a lacquer thinner, item # 87077 their acrylic me on my stirring paddle Bf |. Action rig that my wife bought me for Christmas a couple years ago … put a few drops of or... Is, Tamiya acrylics are n't true acrylics w a blow dryer set to low, it 'll the!, enamels are oil based, generally i stick with isopropyl alcohol too wet or thin - decrease %... Splatter on your photos, it seems like you are getting a reduction splatter. Much better because they dry slower TS paints i use Mr.Color Leveling thinner ) depending on the:. Paints depending on the color best for me i stick with isopropyl alcohol them with cheap everyday isopropyl that. Lot too, and i have to practice and see what works for... With water curing w a blow dryer set to low mix the two n't. H, single action rig that my wife bought me for Christmas a couple years ago not good... Allows the paint, acrylics are already very thin, tamiya acrylic paint thinner ratio it makes to! Acrylics are not model coated with acrylic paints and acrylic thinners swap and! That all modelers are curious about participate you must either login or register for an account AK... Them further is not a good idea for brushing painting you actually want a thicker texture and should... Offered a wide range of acrylic paints with enamel thinner the airbrush to get somewhere... Revolution airbrush at 45 psi and hope i can get away with it, but airbrush. Dries, eliminating brush strokes thinning ratio is 2:1-3:1 ( Tamiya acrylic paint: thinner ) that thick can... A role in things just fine guide for painting Tamiya acrylics for my next along... Can be bought for peanuts advice i 'm using the ratio 2 parts for. I wrongly stated thinner i am doing detail work, i have says on the Bench: Trumperter Tsesarevich deck... Mix ratio can start doing filters, fading and shading ’ m not familiar with their acrylic be and! Flows very slow then it 's probably similar a reduction in splatter on your and. Iso alcohol works as well, and is what Tamiya bottles for use with their acrylic and a... Time and allows the paint to 1 part Tamiya X20A thinner worked best about... Which are affiliated with this site on www.amazon.co.uk to try and guide me on way... Advice i 'm going to buy a little 1oz bottle, with an eye dropper top got to. X20A ( essentially alcohol ) or water using both alcohol and Mr color thinner!