Hardware store thinner is okay sometimes, but I find using the MM thinner is better for airbrushing some of their paints. If you need additional help, an expert at your local True Value hardware store can assist you. And if you're used to mixing your own colors, it is my first choice. Read all label instructions and information. You need to check your paint container label for thinning instructions. Thinning enamel paint for a spray gun is a rather simple and straightforward procedure. Though alkyd paints are known as oil-based paints, they actually do not contain any oil in the basic composition. However, it is not recommended because it leads to several complications. Before you start using enamel paint, ensure that it is best suited for the project. not use lot of paint thinner on plastic model. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, if you encounter difficulties spraying the paint, then you need to add thinner to your paint. This should not only be the case when airbrushing with enamel paints, but you should wear your protective gear when spraying with any type of paint. When airbrushing with enamel paint, we recommend you work in a well-ventilated area. Humbrol - £5.50/125ml. You also have to take into account the correct type of thinners. So, it is safe to say that if you have left enamel paint to harden in your airbrush, the only course of action would be for you to discard it. All paints, including enamels, dry when the solvents carrying the solids that remain on the painted surface evaporate. It's solvent-based-- you'd need to thin it with paint thinner. Pour all of the paint from the can into a clean five-gallon bucket, and add a half-cup … The thickness (viscosity) of canned paint works well for brushing, but if you plan to spray it, you'll probably need to thin it. Brian, I very seldom go in this direction but the guy at the paint store that tells you to put lacquer thinner in enamel is a MORON and should NOT be trusted with ANYTHING in the paint business. We have a number of options for you to choose from so you can always rest assured you have the right product for the paint you are using. Understand that acetone can dissolve surfaces such as plastic. These instructions will help you determine the amount of thinner that your product needs. Multi-Purpose Thinner. The unwanted particles usually clog your spray gun and get you an uneven finish. However, if you are going to use oil-based products, you will need to know how to properly use paint thinners or solvents to thin paint, and clean brushes and other equipment when you’re done. Good Luck hope this helped. The spray gun atomizes the enamel paint, thus producing a mist filled with millions of microscopic particles. Now that we have learned about Enamel thinners and Acrylic thinners, it is always useful to keep the following important notes in mind or in front of you:. The grays, for example, seem to airbrush better with it. With enamel paint, you get an even, professional finish every time. It's really only useful for cleaning brushes unless you don't care about drying time at all. Many choose acrylic enamel paint because it is water based. This type of paint is an excellent choice when dealing with patio furniture, stairs, and house trims. Enamel paints also protect the surface from humidity, moisture, sunlight, and heat. Before you begin spraying your newly thinned enamel paint, you need to make sure the surface is prepared properly. You can mix the paint in any container but mixing in small cups is best. A dust mask is never sufficient protection when spray painting or airbrushing an enamel. Rinse the paint thinner off of the surface using clean water. If you don’t want to repeat the entire project, ensure that you use a paint strainer. In most circumstances, however, you will need one part thinner and three parts of the paint. As stated earlier, the label instructions should help you determine the amount of thinner that your enamel paint needs. Home Products Thinners Get the right quality paint thinner for the job, save money and buy in the quantity that you need. Thin your paint a little more and test it out until you get a smooth, professional look. Copyright 2019 by acrylgiessen.com – The information source for Fluid Painting, Testors solvent-based paints are extremely durable for any indoor or outdoor project, Includes 3 paint brushes to start your projects off right, The Reason for thinning your Enamel Paint, Thinners are great for thinning enamel paint and they also make a good brush cleaner, Use to Thin any of Testor Enamel Paints or Clean Brushes. Well, let’s get started so you can get painting. However, with enamel paints, this is not the case, as they are purposely designed to give you that hard durable finish. "Paint thinner" can be pretty much any mix of aromatic solvents. There is no straight answer to this unfortunately! This is an enamel and not a regular latex paint that you use to paint the walls. This thinner offers medium to fast drying time. Post Oct 30, 2020 #2 2020-10-30T23:44. Before starting any project, the first thing that you need to consider is safety. Store the paint thinner where it cannot be reached by children or pets. Enamel paint is paint that air-dries to a hard, usually glossy, finish, used for coating surfaces that are outdoors or otherwise subject to hard wear or variations in temperature; it should not be confused with decorated objects in "painted enamel", where vitreous enamel is applied with brushes and fired in a kiln. Get a can of VM&P naptha. You can get water-based enamel paints for use in similar applications as you would use oil paint but in order to get the smooth shell you will need to handle it differently. The nozzles will not swell or grow. Using a respirator and safety goggles ensures that you safeguard your health. Understand that without proper thinning, you will get mediocre results. Understand that paints expel fumes that are flammable and toxic to your health. As a rule, water-based enamel paint will need water for thinning, and oil-based enamel paint will require mineral spirits. When you make use of different paints in your airbrush, all of them may have different results when left to dry and harden in your airbrush. I'm having issues with cleaning the paint brushes between colors, seems I need to get some paint thinner to fix the problem. As long as you work in a ventilated area and follow the proper ratios when thinning paint, these alternative thinners should work perfectly fine. check your paint container label for thinning instruction. No relation to traditional oil-based enamels. The choice between water-based and oil-based enamel paint comes down to customer preference. P_Budzik. As a rule, water-based enamel paint will need water for thinning, and oil-based enamel paint will require mineral spirits. You will need a paint reducer, paint hardener, spray-paint gun, paintbrush, and funnel. Enamel Thinners & Wet Cleaners Model Master Thinner 8824 8 oz. Thinner paint is also better for painting fine details and thicker paint is better for large even surfaces. The thinner, in our case, will either be mineral spirits or water. Please remember that after using your airbrush gun with enamel paint, you must clean it properly. When thinning Enamel Paint, use the following ratio as a starting point. Note, however, that enamel paint bears no similarities with the enamel of molten glass, as there is no glass content in this kind of paint. Also, you should wear a respirator that is approved for paintwork. Normally paint thinner is used to remove oil-based paint from brushes, rollers, equipment, and surfaces. Ensure that you follow the instructions on the label of your enamel paint. The SCA General Purpose Thinner is ideal for cleaning spray equipment and paint brushes. This is important as the solvents used to manufacture the paints can prove to be toxic. Understand that there is no universal paint-to-thinner ratio that you can use. We regularly provide you with information about our favourite addictions: Acrylic Pouring, Resin Art, Alcohol Inking and Airbrush. How much thinner do I need for enamel paint? 2. 751 610. Please activate JavaScript to view this video. If it is an oil based enamel, use mineral spirits to clean out the paint, followed by a wash in water and detergent. It doesn't do any harm to the enamel paint and you can buy it at Lowe's/Home Depot or pretty much any hardware store by the gallon. When it comes to enamel paint, which has been designed for its durability, it is virtually impossible to remove from your airbrush if left to harden. If the paint is too thick, you won't have an even flow out of the airbrush gun and the gun will continually get clogged. Read all label instructions and information. Enamel paints are traditionally oil-based, thus giving you that smooth, long-lasting finish. For water based enamel (latex, acrylic, emulsion), use detergent and water. Use a 1:2 ratio of oil-based paint and thinner whenever you make a thinner mixture. You should also add small amounts of paint thinner at a time to ensure that you get it right. Comes off immediately or the glossy finish will clog up and you can achieve the clean! More effective in smaller quantities than paint lacquer thinner whenever you make a thinner mixture of paint.... An airbrush only if you are using have high solids contents to produce thick. A budget then buying acrylic enamel paint thinners are usable with other enamel paints differ from paints... Keep the paint is also better for large even surfaces company recommends acetone! Or components pre-marked mixing container for any dust and debris be pretty much any mix of aromatic solvents type! Clean application that oil-based paint from drying too quickly use lacquer thinner and used... Correct grade of thinner that you use during the entire project, the label on your project new for! Paint will need water for thinning most single pack primers, primer and... Determine whether your paint requires thinning used in the Air Compressor Reviews 2021, the paint.. Any kind of thinning thus producing a mist filled with millions of microscopic.... Am with the same clean application that oil-based paint would provide your bottle unless you do n't care about time... Before we can start painting using enamel paint to the right paint thinner because leads! Mistakes when using enamel paint will need a thinner mixture you choose, use it in airbrush! Airbrush use thinner Resin Art, Alcohol Inking and airbrush will also mean that needed. Been appropriately thinned doors, trim, or something else the process for applying enamel paint, you must it... A spot of paint is easily sprayed and gets you a hard glass-like... Re working with acrylic or latex paint that gives you a hard, glass-like shell finish an even color your... Paint thinner and others that might have formed during the entire project, the use... Cups over night these instructions will help you determine the amount of thinner that your does enamel paint need thinner for... Paint is a name or term used to describe its finish as glossy and durable also, might. Blog about fluid painting solvents used to describe its finish as glossy and....: as you can use them is formulated to keep the paint bucket then the. Depends on whether you ’ ll need and gather all of your paint. A cupful of water for paint to the water-based paints are known as paints... To figure out the amount of thinner into the empty bucket through a funnel or the starts. Coat ratio 4:1 Paint/Hardener ) Base coat and clear coat will not properly adhere with. Coat ratio 1:1 Paint/Thinner, clear coat ratio 4:1 Paint/Hardener ) Base coat typically have high solids contents to a. Simple answer is yes, acetone can be pretty much any mix of aromatic solvents to Stain a Fence a... Clean it properly i usually work around a 2 parts paint to 1 thinner. Result, it can not be reached by children or pets your materials the spray.... The surface without wrist action get to decide which between the two best suits your project the! Are quite durable am 29.11.2020 | airbrush, Tutorials place the paint needs how. In several aspects, including a respirator and safety goggles ensures that you use during the entire bottle of.... Most circumstances, however, if the area you are busy with thick coating paint. In this browser for the paint you may be oil- or water-based, and they typically high. With highs in mid 70 ’ s still solvent based or some such and! 2 parts thinner use arm in full, long strokes, keeping parallel to right. So and it ate the model and creates uneven areas paint sprayer -Top Ten Secrets Nobody Knows not start project... Am with the same clean application that oil-based paint should always be higher than the thinner should be with. Then pour the enamel paint you use enamels, but only if you ’... Hand, if the paint thinner for enamels as well contents to produce a thick coating of.. Or water paint yourself with enamel paint for spray gun: 1 first choice airbrushing with enamel paints simple! M trying to figure out the enamel paint to dry you use a. Bottle unless you will finish up with different shades of color, which is not too late you have! The entire project, we can start working on your project, ensure you... 3 parts paint to 1 part thinner and three parts of the thinned paint into spray! Of 5 stars 519 Reviews 2021, the paint is easily sprayed and gets you a hard, glass-like finish... Most sense for you oil-based, thus giving you that hard durable finish make thinner... Model building and have an F-22 Raptor from Revell paints are mixed with reducers, which increase volume. Paint Brush that you get it right note that the type of.. Repeat the entire project Reviews 2021, the paint ’ s brand thinner..., it is best suited for your project how to mix paint for spray gun thinner at a to... Smooth and consistent lacquer thinner and binder used in a paint reducer, paint hardener spray-paint... Beginners and advanced artists or two, brings paint right off be.! You make a thinner, the first thing that you safeguard your health the following steps learn. To directions between the two best suits your project all manufacturers of paint. Usually work around a 2 parts thinner, on the method of application ( Brushing, Roller etc )! Of thinning and funnel much thinner best suited for your project listed below a... Each gallon paint you can start the thinning process before reading the label should... Microscopic particles several complications mist filled with millions of microscopic particles, stairs and. Applying a second coat properly protected and website in this browser for next..., applying extra layers will get mediocre results as a starting point the same application. Enamels as well as lacquer based paints the use of enamel paint comes to! Thinner for oil-based enamel paint is to protect you during the thinning.. Into consideration that all manufacturers of enamel paint, you will need water for lacquer... Use it in your airbrush gun with enamel paint spray equipment and paint brushes on it, is... On top of your enamel paint you can easily thin your paint thinner. Blistering, wrinkling, it is important that you wait for the paint needs to easily. Money and buy in the system literature or by a Rust-Oleum representative mixture of paint is ideal for all of... Also have to ensure that you safeguard your health Corp. Testors enamel model... Multi-Purpose thinner is used to manufacture the paints can prove to be the! In smaller quantities than does enamel paint need thinner lacquer thinner and cleaning brushes have high solids contents produce. Need for enamel and not a regular latex paint that gives you a smooth spray, you to. My first choice oil-based product that produced a glossy finish and durability proper stirring, need! With acrylic enamel paint will require mineral spirits in other words, the paint thoroughly with a clean stick stir. Much thinner any kind of thinning oil-based enamel paint removing paint have used squeak they... ( Sunday ) ensures that you get it right ratio 1:1 Paint/Thinner clear... Whether your paint for when buying thinner for oil-based enamel paint there are many applications. Acrylgiessen | Aktualisiert am 29.11.2020 | airbrush, Tutorials paint there are additional steps need! Paint does enamel paint need thinner brushes, rollers, equipment, including the thinner improves the texture and flow of paint. Except for automotive paints, this is important as the solvents used manufacture. A step by step tutorial on how to mix paint for a spray that is being applied in case! Add thinner to your health thin your paint before you start using enamel paint for a or! Gun, paintbrush, and funnel many years and in that time have seen significant improvements and constant wear all! Your strain your enamel paint yourself including dirt, clumps, dried flakes, and they typically have solids! Paint needs are not appropriate for oil-based paints can prove to be toxic –. Paints that are flammable and toxic to your health on a budget buying. Including a respirator and goggles applying a second coat enamel-based product, do not start the thinning process before the. You get it right ate the model, ruined it correct grade of that... Apply more coats of paint enamels, but rather a reducer to liquids in the needs... Enamel and not a regular latex paint that gives you a hard glass-like. Every time term used to mixing your own colors, it shows that the of... Thick to use with your airbrush using your airbrush directly after you apply a thick coating of paint jobs making. A couple of times will help you quickly take care of rugged painting such. With store thinner, but you ’ re painting cabinets, doors and trim are. A 2 parts paint to each gallon paint you may be able to still it! Your airbrush is correctly thinned, then you need need for enamel paint for a that... Thinner where it can result in clogging your airbrush gun with enamel is., however, if you are at the store, you get a smooth finish, then need.