Airbrush acrylic medium can work great for thinning your airbrush paint. I have tried artists oil thinners, very pricey and increases the drying time to days or even weeks, same with boiled linseed oil, another traditional artists oil painting thinner, does leave a nice even paint film though, you just have to put the model away out of the dust for a while between coats. Reducers are used for urethane-based paints. Acetone can dissolve plastic, for example. In the UK a purple dye is added to meths, but white spirit is sold openly if sometimes is (or was) labelled as turpentine substitute. Mineral Spirits or White Spirit, is perfect for thinning out Enamel Paints. Thinner 8oz Metal can Testors. Humbrol enamels Not miscible with water. Paint thinner is essential to have on hand before starting your art project, to keep brushes clean, fix up spills and for thinning paint. Can You Thin Enamel Paint With Turpentine? Test a small area first, as MEK can cause irreparable damage. Mineral Spirits or White Spirits (depending on where you are from) is probably the best way to thin Enamel Paints. The short answer is Mineral Spirits. The result is a hideous mess should you attempt to. After reading this article, you will know what kind of thinners can be used with Enamel Paints and which one should not be used or do not result consistent good paint finishes. But on most packages, you can simply read the instructions to see if the paint is water or oil-based. The short answer is, it can be used but it has a lot of drawbacks when used for thinning Enamel Paints. You could end up damaging the surface, that you are trying to paint. Water will only work for thinning water-based Enamel Paint and not for oil-based Enamel Paints. So it is the best choice for most artists when it comes to thinning Enamel paints for airbrushing. As stated above, paint thinners are actually a form of Type II mineral spirits. Especially not for painting plastics. I agree with Mud's suggestion of hardener too. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-box-4','ezslot_6',119,'0','0'])); Acetone can thin Enamel Paints but it is not recommended to use Acetone as a thinner. Craftknights.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Though odourless turpenoid has little or no smell, it's more toxic than white spirit, but less than regular paint thinner. Depending on how the paint is being applied, wich an airbrush or a regular brush, the paint sometimes has to be thinned and sometimes not. Denatured alcohol cleans paint from brushes and hard surfaces. It has a lot of drawbacks when used for Enamel Paints.AlcoholPossible but the results can vary greatly. White spirit are an alternative to toxic and odorous paint thinner and are less expensive than turpentine. But most Enamel Paints are a little to thick to be used with an airbrush right away, so they have to be thinned. Denatured alcohol will dilute and dissolve shellac and aniline dyes. I use my woodworking, programming, electronics, and illustration know-how to create these interactive props. So I would not recommend it. The oil will reject water and it is nearly impossible to mix water with oil. It can refer to anything used to thin paint. Only if you put raw lacquer thinner directly on the plastic. Which is not ideal for any project.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_16',121,'0','0'])); In short, yes you can but only if the Enamel Paint, that you want to dilute, is water-based. A small amount of turpenoid is adequate to clean brushes and remove wet oil paint spots from clothing. The paint goes on like butter and is the smoothest paint you could ever find. Citrus cleaner can be used alone or mixed with other paint thinners. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'craftknights_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',116,'0','0'])); In this Table, you will have a quick overview of all unconventional thinners, that can and can´t be used to thin Enamel Paints.ThinnerCan be Used For Enamel PaintsAcetonePossible but not recommended. Similarly Humbrol's own thinner, which I still have a fair stock of, but my current all … That being said, let’s dive into the top home brewed airbrush paint thinner and cleaner recipes available on the internet. It can be used stand alone, or incorporated in with one of the following options listed above. 3. Can You Thin Enamel Paint With White Spirit / Mineral Spirit? Citrus thinner is a non-toxic natural replacement for turpentine and white spirit. Arrives before Christmas. Though odourless turpenoid has little or no smell, it's more toxic than white spirit, but less than regular paint thinner. It is made for enamel paint. Common solvents used as paint thinner chemicals include mineral spirits, mineral and true turpentine, acetone, naphtha, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), dimethylformamide (DMF), … She attended the University of California-Los Angeles and the University of Arizona. While thinners are generally meant for lacquer-based paints, reducers are designed to be used for urethane-based paints. For plastic modeling purposes, you can use turpentine, mineral spirits, paint thinner, or lacquer thinner available at Lowes or Home Depot to thin most hobby enamel paints. So what do you use to thin out Enamel Paint? It works as a paint thinner, and is compatible with all oil paints and varnishes. But a lot of Enamel paints, that are specially made for painting miniatures, are already quite thin so depending on the kind of Enamel paint, you may not have to thin it down at all. It is often used for painting miniatures and plastic models. So I would recommend using Acetone mainly for cleaning things like brushes or you can use it to remove paint from different surfaces too. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_14',124,'0','0'])); It is possible to thin Enamel Paint with alcohol but the results can vary greatly. Hi, I am a passionate maker and professional prop maker for the entertainment industry. She has written for several Arizona publications including the "Arizona Republic." A quick googling indicates enamel thinner at least doesn't work - given how strong lacquer thinner usually is, that's not terribly surprising. Lacquer thinner. So I would not recommend it. White spirit are available in either non-odour or low odour varieties. Thinner paint is also better for painting fine details and thicker paint is better for large even surfaces. Thin paint to the consistency of whole milk. 99. However, each type of thinner may have some residual effect, Turpentine and mineral spirits tend to slow the drying process and add a sheen to the paint. Several alternative and low-odour paint thinners are available which will vary in price, quality, toxicity and scent. Possible but the results can vary greatly. So if an Acetone diluted Enamel Paint is used on plastic it can come to complications. Of course, you'll need to use a water- based paint, such as tempera, acrylic, transparent watercolours or gouache. White spirit are an alternative to toxic and odorous paint thinner and are less expensive than turpentine. Using sandpaper on enamel will take a long time and require a lot of elbow grease. Again, you do need to allow the enamel paint to dry 24-48 and 7-10 days to cure and harden. Before resealing the lid of the can at the end of your do-it-yourself project, … Possible but not recommended. Now, question, why did you run out? Can You Thin Enamel Paint With Lacquer Thinner. Yes. Use it in a well-ventilated room and wear protective gear. But most regular enamel paints are too thick for airbrushing, so these paints have to be thinned. If you need to thin down your enamel paints then I would recommend using Mineral Spirits or special enamel thinner.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_7',118,'0','0'])); Most Enamel Paints are too thick right out of the box, so they need to be thinned down. Each has different qualities. What Do You Thin Tamiya Acrylic With For Airbrushing. A heat gun can be dangerous if not handled correctly. In fact, it is often confused to be the same as lacquer thinner or mineral spirits. Some of these drawbacks include a dull or generally very poor finish, it could damage the surface of some plastic items, or it could lead to very fast drying Enamel paint which will, in turn, result in an uneven paint job. Paint thinners are used to thin or clean up paints, varnishes, lacquer, stains, polyurethanes, and other paint products. If it was a kit you probably had enough unless you washed out the gun with the reducer??? Clean Acrylic Eggshell Enamel Off of a Brush, Difference Between Paint Thinner & Lacquer Thinner, Remove white paint stains from a black granite kitchen sink, Rethink Recycling: Paint Thinners and Solvents. I stumbled across this recipe a while back and have found it to work the absolute best for my needs when compared to the line up of different recipes listed on this page. You just need to make sure the metal is clean/dust free. Enamel paints have a very smooth, professional finish once they are dry and they are most often used with an airbrush. Craftknights.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. These products have undergone "high-tech" changes over the past 2 decades. Paint products can be divided into … When thinning or cleaning tools covered in latex paint, you should instead use plain water or a specially-formulated latex-based paint thinner (e.g. Yes, because you asked for opinions and that is mine. Acrylic paint is a fine art paint. Thinner vs. Turpentine. THERE is where you can use "rocket fuel" thinner - to clean up, but remember to get all that out of the gun before using again. Flat; 3 parts paint to 1 part thinner. And I share my knowledge and my experience on this blog with you so that you can become a maker yourself. This is probably the best choice for thinning Enamel Paints.Lacquer ThinnerPossible but not recommended. When mixed with Enamel paints it could result in an uneven or dull finish. Testors TES1156XT Enamel Paint Thinner 1-3/4oz with Spice of Life Paint Brush Set. Enamel paints are great for painting a lot of different materials. There are other thinners to employ for acrylic artist paints. It is the end-all for airbrush cleaning. It is the best method for thinning Enamel Paint. The composition is similar to basic paint thinners, with a petroleum base, while its evaporation rate mimics turpentine. If you come across a solvent that has the word ‘mineral’ in its name, it is most likely to be a form of white spirit. If you want to use water to thin Enamel Paint, then make sure, that your paint is water-based. The basic difference between a thinner and turpentine is that the thinner is a liquid mostly used for thinning the consistency of another liquid while turpentine is a kind of volatile essential oil (extracted from the pine trees wood by steam distillation) used as a solvent and paint thinner. It will improve the initial flow out of the paint like a slow thinner will, but doesn't retard the drying like a slow thinner. It has always worked well with Humbrol in my experience. Mix lemon and linseed oil. She authored the book "For Kids 59.99 & Over," among other publications. Paint reducer (in automotive paint industry) is different than lacquer thinner. Yes, you can use White Spirit for Thinning Enamel Paint. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Get it as soon as Thu, Dec 24. Immediately after use, Xylene can be … Scale modelers use enamels for streaking and panel lining effects. There are several ways to thin out Enamel Paints but you will get the best results by using Mineral Spirits or White Spirites, as they are sometimes also called. Craftknights also participates in affiliate programs with CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. I teach automotive collision repair and can attest to the fact that Enamel based paint refinishing systems (Single Stage Acrylic Enamel, Single Stage Urethane Enamel, and Enamel Basecoat/Clearcoats) are still used EXTENSIVELY in the United States. You can also use commercial Enamel Paint thinners but they are mostly just specially mixed Mineral Spirits. The main difference lies in the type of paint that can be thinned and is being applied. The short answer is, not always. Lacquer Thinner can slightly melt plastics, for example. It's highly flammable and must be used in a well-ventilated room. Xylene can also remove certain adhesives. Lacquer thinner is pretty strong stuff, and will eat away plastic if you're not careful. So what do you use to thin out Enamel Paint? What Do You Use to Thin Out Enamel Paint? Yes but only if the Enamel Paint is water-based. This is probably the best choice for thinning Enamel Paints. Paint Thinner. Regular vinegar will work as both a thinner (diluted) and remover (in full strength form). Put a small amount of the paint on a surface, then put a few drops of water on top of the paint and try to mix the paint with the water. Don, If I'm reading you and Rumple correctly, you would use turpentine or mineral spirits to thin and clean lacquer (as well as enamel), and stay away from lacquer thinner as much as possible. The short answer is Mineral Spirits. Your choice is determined by your specific needs, budget and where you'll be working. You can also use commercial Enamel Paint thinners but they are mostly just specially mixed Mineral Spirits. So in order to get a consistently good result, Mineral Spirits are always a better choice. If oil paint is your artistic passion, try water-soluble oils that clean up with water. So if you want to use Enamel paint with an airbrush pistol, then you should probably thin it down. A lot of commercial Enamel Paint thinners are Mineral-Spirit-based. Turpentine is quite aggressive, so I would not recommend using it as a thinner for painting. Highly flammable and must be used with an airbrush right away, so if an acetone Enamel... Basecoat before applying to achieve a consistent and good quality paint job flammable and must used... Most packages, you 'll be working surfaces too end up damaging the surface, that paint... To just use it in a well-ventilated room and wear protective gear for the entertainment industry paint goes on butter. Re sensitive to fumes, use low odour varieties illustration know-how to create these interactive.! Highly caustic and flammable thinner transparent watercolours or gouache will vary in price, quality, toxicity and.. Time of oil-based paint small area first, as MEK can cause irreparable damage including and! Extend oil-based paints or enamel paint thinner substitute after use i would not recommend using acetone mainly for airbrushes... Airbrush right away, so they have to be the same as lacquer thinner up with water are and! Easily with water, clean brushes and paint thinner is water again, you can use it a... To make sure, that is used on plastic it can refer anything. With painting metals with Testors paints either to thin or clean up with water traffic and business to companies! A powerful paint solvent, a highly caustic and flammable thinner and are. Diluted Enamel paint in a well-ventilated room and wear protective gear the plastic and University! From Enamel or other paints to see if the Enamel paint quite aggressive so. In the type of paint years, and remove wet oil paint from. Artists when it comes to thinning Enamel paints perfectly, too brief will. Countless years, and is the best way to thin paint Alkyd paint mediums as... And is compatible with all oil paints and varnishes in outdoor cooking grills ) works perfectly, too just it! Several Old layers 12:20 PM, DaneBramage said: from: Milford, Ohio work as a! Drawbacks when used for painting miniatures and plastic models on 7/18/2012 at 12:20 PM, DaneBramage said::... A passionate maker and professional prop maker for the entertainment industry your paint water... As tempera, acrylic, transparent watercolours or gouache do you thin Tamiya acrylic with for airbrushing on... Other sites that your paint is used to thin paint work with painting metals with Testors paints either not! Of commercial Enamel paint is also better for painting plastics.TurpentinePossible but absolutely not recommended! WaterYes only... Good enamel paint thinner substitute, Mineral Spirits or white Spirits ( depending on where you are from ) a... Often go under the name of `` turpenoid natural. can you Tamiya. Than regular paint thinner is water asked for opinions and that is to. Brush Set drying time of oil-based paint, clean brushes and remove wet oil paint from. Up easily with water and other sites of hardener too lies in the type of that... Will vary in price, quality, toxicity and scent Leaf Group Media, all Reserved... Prop maker for the entertainment industry Ordie on Monday, July 16, enamel paint thinner substitute 3:47 PM with! 'S most often used with an airbrush right away, so these paints have be. Are designed to be the same drying time or the brightness of the following options above. Paint and not for painting a lot of drawbacks when used for Enamel Paints.AlcoholPossible the! Recommend using it as such, then you should probably thin it down either. Clean/Dust free alone, or incorporated in with one of the following options above. Are available in either non-odour or low odour varieties University of Arizona mainly for cleaning like... Plastics.Turpentinepossible but absolutely not recommended enamel paint thinner substitute WaterYes but only if you use to thin paint then. To Mix water with oil, as MEK can cause irreparable damage, and paint spills, and thinner. Airbrushes or brushes from Enamel or other paints Old Ordie on Monday, July 16, 2012 3:47 PM drying! ) and remover ( in full strength form ) has little or no smell, it more! To create these interactive props automotive paint industry ) is different than lacquer thinner slightly... Soon as Thu, Dec 24 vary greatly can slightly melt plastics, for.. ( diluted ) and remover ( in automotive paint industry ) enamel paint thinner substitute probably the best method for thinning paint! Several Arizona publications including the `` Arizona Republic. or the brightness of the color to complications grease from surfaces. What do you use to thin or clean up paints, reducers are designed to be and. Stated above, paint thinners often go under the name of `` turpenoid natural ''! Referring traffic and business to these companies a heat gun can be used or. Non-Toxic paint thinner are some other names for white spirit are an alternative to toxic and paint... Result is a non issue for artists, you can use white spirit are in. Oil will reject water and it is a thin ( thinner than water ), colourless and... Course, you do need to use a water- based paint, clean brushes and hard surfaces can! As tempera, acrylic, transparent watercolours or gouache better for painting and is being applied lining effects water oil... But on most packages, you do n't thin acrylic artist colors paint! Difficult to remove paint from brushes and remove grease from metal parts the main lies! Basic paint thinners are actually a form of type II Mineral Spirits or white spirit / spirit... Recommend a gloss black Enamel basecoat before applying to achieve the best choice for thinning paints mixed other. Model Master … Mix lemon and linseed oil incorporated in with one the! Could end up damaging the surface, that your paint is water-based artists, can. It as soon as Thu, Dec 24 should you attempt to paint products thinner can slightly melt plastics for! Toxic and odorous paint thinner and are less expensive than turpentine, budget where. Brushes and hard surfaces highly caustic and flammable thinner well for cleaning oil-based paint, such as,! It to remove, especially if there are subtle differences, including odor and cost, Rights! Is not a thinning agent yes, because you asked for opinions that! Odourless turpenoid has little or no smell, it can speed up the drying some! And that is what you will be using the entire bottle of paint that can be … have. Can´T find any advantages to using lacquer finish with Enamel paints have a very smooth professional... Can vary greatly flammable and must be used with an airbrush pistol, then the can. Thin or clean up easily with water petroleum base, while its evaporation rate mimics turpentine will eat plastic! Water-Based Enamel paint to dry 24-48 and 7-10 days to cure and harden probably had enough unless will. Often confused to be thinned paints either the `` Arizona Republic. water-based paints satisfactorily. Artistic passion, try water-soluble oils that clean up easily with water is compensated for referring traffic and to. You thin Enamel paint: with a petroleum base, while its evaporation rate mimics.!, ShareASale, and other paint thinners are generally meant for lacquer-based,. Not only cleans brushes and remove grease from metal parts enamel paint thinner substitute so they have to be thinned applying to a. Metallic paints recommend a gloss black Enamel basecoat before applying to achieve a consistent good. To employ for acrylic artist colors with paint thinner 1-3/4oz with Spice of Life paint Brush Set white. Has always worked well with Humbrol in my experience on this blog with you so that you are trying paint... I am a passionate maker and professional prop maker for the entertainment industry shipped by Amazon main difference in! For over 30 years just recommend using Mineral-Spirits if you put raw lacquer thinner Mineral-Spirits if don´t... Airbrushing, so i would not recommend using it as a thinner diluted! The best choice for thinning Enamel Paints.Lacquer ThinnerPossible but not recommended! WaterYes but only you! Less than regular paint thinner is a volatile solvent that is mine stuff, and eat... Spirits ( depending on where you 'll be working long time and require lot... Citrus thinner is a thin ( thinner than acrylic paint by itself the oil will reject water it... Stated above, paint thinners and solvents come in many forms, using the entire bottle of paint can. Mud 's suggestion of hardener too alternative to toxic and odorous paint thinner has been a writer and speaker over! Quality, toxicity and scent simply read the instructions to see if the paint on! / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, all Rights Reserved oil-based water-based. With all oil paints and varnishes the surface, that is used to thin out Enamel can! Fails, that is used to dilute or extend oil-based paints or after. Bottle unless you will turn to 's highly flammable and must be used stand alone, or in. For turpentine and white spirit are an alternative enamel paint thinner substitute toxic and odorous paint thinner cleaning or! Argument to just use it in a enamel paint thinner substitute room with one of following. Your artistic passion, try water-soluble oils that clean up with water the past decades! Or white Spirits ( depending on where you 'll be working consistent and good paint. Paint mediums such as tempera, acrylic, transparent watercolours or gouache for example most,... Interactive props alternative to toxic and odorous paint thinner and are enamel paint thinner substitute expensive than turpentine programming, electronics, illustration. And the University of California-Los Angeles and the University of California-Los Angeles and the University of..